John Edward Clayton, age 61, of Sparta, was a wonderful man who was called home too early on Thursday, November 17, 2016.

The son of Thomas & Henrietta (Rohlf) Clayton, he was born on August 18, 1955 in Grand Rapids. John was a wine connoisseur who loved to take color / winery tours in the Traverse City area with the love of his life, Sally. He enjoyed cooking and hosting get-togethers for family and friends. We can’t forget he danced like a frog in a blender. John had a lifelong optimism for the Detroit Lions. He enjoyed golfing and once shot a hole-in-one. John took great pride in landscaping and his gardens.