GORDON EDWARD TRUMAN

Gordon Edward Truman, 85, of Alpena, MI, died on March 17, 2025, at his home in Port Richey, FL.

Gordon was born on May 12, 1939, in Lincoln, MI, to the late Howard and Olive Truman, and he graduated from Harrisville High School in 1957. His parents raised an extraordinary man who was a source of pride to his family and wife of over 58 years, Joanne.

Gordon was the definition of a self-made man. He mastered countless skills and became a successful business owner and an amazing provider for his family.

Gordon served in the United States Army, being deployed overseas, where he spent two years in Germany. On Sept. 10, 1966, he married Joanne Margarite Sumerix. He worked full-time as a meat cutter for several local grocery stores in Alpena, MI for 20-plus years. He taught all of his children to be diligent and hard working. Together with his children, Gordon operated a successful firewood business for many years. In the mid-1980s, Gordon and Joanne started Truman’s Deer Processing, which they successfully operated with their family for over three decades.

Gordon could fix just about anything and passed down his skills and knowledge to his children and grandchildren. Gordon and Joanne started A-1 Tree Service in 1990 and operated it with their children by their side for over 20 successful years. In his retirement, he turned their business over to his youngest son, Steven, who still owns and operates it.

He saw the world around himself without limits, and he created opportunities for his children filled with adventure, including trips to the Upper Peninsula, riding four wheelers, snowmobiles, boats, jet skis, dirt bikes, and more, as well as teaching them many practical skills that they now pass on to the next generations.

Gordon believed in giving back to the community and the world, and he traveled to Haiti in 1980 with Alpena Free Methodist Church missionaries to help build a church and a school there. If someone was in need, Gordon was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Gordon was a kind, gentle and loving man who devoted himself to his wife Joanne and his family.

Gordon is survived by his beautiful and faithful wife, Joanne; their four children; Brian (Stacie) Truman, Jeff (Kendra) Truman, Patty (Kathleen) Truman, Steven (Natalie) Truman; nine grandchildren, Bailey (Bailey) Barr, Sierra (Jake Williams) Truman, Taylor (Mason Scull) Truman, Shane Truman, Gabe (Julia Modrzejewski) Truman, Jack Truman, Trigg Truman, Trapp Truman, Tait Truman; step grandchildren, Nick Wildman, Katy Wildman; great-grandchildren, Kaysen Williams, Chloe Williams, Beckett Barr; step great-grandchild, Cheyann Williams. Gordon is also survived by his brothers; Leroy (Phyllis) Truman, Bernard (Della) Truman; sisters, Betty Reinecke, Rosemary Reames, Shirley Vredenburg; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ruth Truman, Edith McGirr, Christine Schultz, Mable Anderson, Diane (Richard) Szymanski, Delynn (Chuck) Timm, Kenneth Sumerix, Keith (Diann) Sumerix, Delbert Black; many nieces and nephews and will be sadly missed by many.

Gordon was preceded in death by his brother, Harold Truman; brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul Reinecke, Jerry Vredenburg, Larry Reames, Bert (Eleanor) Sumerix, Rosemary Miller, Bill Sumerix, Donna Black, Irma Sumerix, Harry Sumerix, Orville McGirr, Joan Sumerix, Richard Schultz, and James Anderson.

Visitation will take place on Sunday at Bannan Funeral Home from 2 to 8 p.m. with military honors accorded him by Alpena V.F.W. Post 2496 at 5 p.m. Visitation will continue Monday at First United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Robert Nystrom officiating.

Interment: Long Rapids Cemetery

Memorials: First United Methodist Church