Glenn Huddleston

Glenn was born in Perry County, Ohio, where his life began amid farmland and the steady rhythm of hard work. His grandparents earned their living as farmers and coal miners, and his father followed that same path in the mines before moving the family to Michigan to pursue factory work and a more secure future. One of five children, Glenn was shaped by these early years—grounded in perseverance and a quiet strength that would carry him throughout his life. Two brothers died in their youth and two siblings lived into their 90’s.  Glenn’s sister, June Lee, died at the age of 95; his brother, Fred, is still living in Ohio at age 96 with wife, Marty.

Glenn married and had his first child at age 18. He worked in factories most of his life, working on the line and as a foreman, mostly second and third shifts.  Four children grew to adulthood (2 girls: Deborah and Glenna and 2 boys: Larry and Dennis.)

In his younger years, Glenn played the guitar in a band with his brother and friends.  He had a very smooth singing voice and wrote songs. Their band attempted to break into the country music scene in Nashville.  He continued to play into his 70’s. Glenn also was a skillful artist (drawing) in his younger years.

Glenn married Josephine (Jo) in 1986, adding Jodie, Jim, and Randy to the family.   Glenn and Jo were truly soulmates and constant companions for nearly 33 years, laughing together and supporting one another and family members.  They told corny jokes, watched Jeopardy, Tiger baseball, enjoyed country music, dinners at Red Lobster, and occasional trips to Las Vegas with family.

Glenn was preceded in death by his wife, Jo, in 2019 as well as his son, Dennis, and sister, June.

After Jo’s passing, Glenn’s son and daughter moved him to Wisconsin where he could receive care for progressive dementia.  He took great pleasure in watching birds, turkeys, possums, squirrels, and chipmunks through the window from his chair at the kitchen table as they came onto the porch to feed. Other times, he’d sing along to country songs or put his head down and just tap his foot to the radio.  Glenn remained with family and in-home care until a loss of mobility rendered that no longer safe for him.

Glenn’s surviving family is spread all over the US: Arizona, Michigan, Texas, Ohio, Florida, and Wisconsin.  Daughters Glenna (Richard) and Jodie (Marty) remain in Michigan.  Also in Michigan, Glenn is survived by 5 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. In Wisconsin, between Larry (Helena) and Deborah’s families, there are another 6 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

As mini-strokes and age-related dementia continued to block the neuropathways to Glenn’s true memories, the Universe granted him leave to write his own story. On any given day, when asked about his life, he would reinvent a past and tell quite an interesting story.

Glenn will be remembered as a charming, gentle, soft-spoken man with a good sense of humor, a positive attitude, and a life-long appreciation of music.  Hours and hours were spent tapping his foot to Merle Haggard, Johnny Horton, Jim Reeves and others right up to his last days of life.  He will be missed.