John “Buzz” Angell was born September 26, 1949 in Oak Park, Illinois, the youngest of three children of John Fairchild and Alice Mary (Slater) Angell.
He graduated from Wheaton North High School, followed by one year at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1970. He met his wife Denise (Wood) Angell in Pentwater the summer of 1969, and they were married in June of 1970, before he was sent to Vietnam, where he served two years, one tour as a Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol. After being honorably discharged, he was picked up by Don Lamb as Pentwater‘s first deputy, which he did for a few years and then went to work for the Oceana County Sheriff’s Department, where he remained until his retirement as Lieutenant. In the late 80s and early 90s, he served for eight years as Friend of the Court for both Oceana and Newaygo County as well.
John is survived by: his wife of 56 years, Denise Angell; his daughter, Michelle Angell-Powell; his son, Eric John (Heather) Angell; three grandsons, Daniel John (Samantha) Angell, Bayley Lemire, and Bode George Powell; one great-grandchild, Blakely Grace Angell; his sisters, Pamela Joy Hinze and Judith (Frank) Zsoldos; and several nieces and nephews.
As Buzz would say, "Let's just have one more!” In honoring his words, a celebration of his life will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the Colonial Golf Course, 2763 N. 72nd Ave., Hart.
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
www.beaconfh.com
