John Wilford Korte

KORTE, John Wilford - Age 86, of Linden, passed away Monday, August 28, 2023.  Per John's request cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.  

John was born September 23, 1936 in Wayne, MI, the son of Wilford and Ruth (Cotton) Korte. He was a 1954 graduate of Roosevelt High School in Inkster, and had attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.  He married Mari Lynn Walters on April 13, 1963 at Greenfield Village in Dearborn.  John had resided in Linden for the past 10 years, coming from Rockport, IN.  He retired from AT&T (Western Electric) in Dublin, OH. 

John was a longtime active member of the United Methodist Church, including congregations in Brighton and Fenton MI, Dublin OH, and Rockport IN.  He loved to play his saxophone, especially in church, and was a huge fan of Boots Randolph.  He had been a member of the Livingston County Concert Band (MI), and one of the founding members of the Spencer County Community Band (IN). John also helped found the Brighton Area Historical Society.  He was a proud member of the Masonic Temple in Dearborn. 

Surviving are: his wife of 60 years, Mari Lynn; son, Robert of Columbus, OH; daughter, Susan (Greg) Rostkowski of Toledo, OH. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilford and Ruth.  

In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donating to organizations dear to John:  METAvivor Metastatic Breast Cancer Research, Support, & Awareness (METAvivor - Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness, Research and Support | METAvivor) or UMCOR United Methodist Committee on Relief (https://umcmission.org/ways-to-give/).

Tributes and remembrances may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.