Steve & Jan Leclaire Obituary (2022)

Steve was the owner of S&J Plumbing, but behind every business owner is the staff who make it work. Jan answered the phone, called people back, called in the inventory and ran interference; all while running the household and taking care of us girls. They truly were S&J Plumbing. Jan and Steve were married for 48 years. Steve married Jan on August 4, 1973, one day before she turned two weeks older than him. Fitting, as Steve said he would "never marry an older woman." Steve's sense of humor was only matched by Jan's quick wit and ability to turn a phrase. He started college for optometry, but a few semesters in, he said he couldn't "see his way," dropped out and eventually pursued his career in plumbing. Jan, on the other hand, started and finished her college career with education and became a speech and hearing pathologist for the special education program at McKinley Elementary in Dowagiac, Mi. She was proud of her job, but she was prouder of her occupation as a "domestic engineer." Jan always said she never had her own identity; she was Ted's daughter, Steve's wife and (insert one of us girl's names here) mom. She did, though, her name was associated with care, compassion, quiet wisdom, love, loyalty, and the power of observation. Steve cared for Jan with his own brand of love. He would always tell her that he had to go to work to "keep a roof over her head." And he did so with fervor and gusto. He loved what he did for a living. He loved his customers. He loved his contractors. He loved the engineering part of a job, the layout of the pipes, the way it looked after it was done. Steve took pride in his work, to the point where the State Plumbing inspectors didn't even have to know it was his job, to know it was his work they were looking at. Both Steve and Jan will be missed by those whose lives they shared, and since Mom would send out thank you cards for thank you cards she would receive, and since this isn't costing Dad anything to write, we want to mention a few individuals who helped us not just with Mom, but also with Dad... The PACE team in St. Joe, Nurse Leah, Dr. White, and Dr. Grentz. Miss Linda Baker Warner, and Meghan Sokoloskis, Mom brought us together and you are forever a part of our family. Thank you for all you did for her. Melissa and Karla at Alliance, who were invaluable in the care and comfort of Jan. Leslie Ostrander, Linda Backus, Wanda Orth, you were there from the beginning and saw it through to the end. Mom loved you so much. Dr Hadji, Dr Malaka, Dr Frazier, Courtney Williams RN, Justin RN and Isi RN, Kat RT fourth floor Spectrum hospital, Lakeland campus, and ALL the fourth floor staff, you are AMAZING. We couldn't have asked for better care for our Dad. He always said he trusted you; he was just ready. Karole Behrle with Honor Credit Union, Dad thought you could do anything, thanks for the help. Bob Hoven at Hoven Funeral Home, you took care of Mom and Dad to the very last, thank you for your compassion. Lastly, to all our "Aaron's," the ones who prayed without ceasing, the ones who loved us through and continue to hold up our arms as we travel this path, we will celebrate together. There will be no services or funeral, both wanted to be remembered with laughter and fellowship, not tears and sadness. So, with that in mind, there will be a celebration of life service for both this coming summer. "When we lose someone we love, we must learn not to live without them, but to live with the love they left behind." -Unknown