Joe T. Canup

Joe T. Canup, age 86 of Plymouth passed away on October 31, 2017. Joe was born in his hometown of Benton, Kentucky on September 19, 1931.

When his father was in need of work, the family moved to Michigan. In 1951, at the age of 19, he joined the United States Air Force where he had experienced some overseas duty in North Africa. His duties included being stationed on a mountaintop watching for aircraft traffic during the Korean Conflict. In 1953, he was discharged due to the end of the Conflict and the closing of the military bases.

Later, in 1955, Joe met Sylvia at Harry’s Confectionery in Detroit. They dated for six months and were married that same year. Joe was Sylvia’s beloved and devoted husband for 62 years. They enjoyed the blessing of their two children, David and Jodi. Joe and Sylvia moved to Inkster and raised their children there. They became members of St. David’s Episcopal Church. Joe was employed at Kelsey-Hayes. He retired after 30 years of service and he and Sylvia began retirement life at Houghton Lake, Michigan. He was a member of the Masonic Order of Free Masons, Wolverine Lodge 1967 at the Masonic Temple in Detroit. He was also a member of the Houghton Lake Eagles and Moose Lodge. Eventually, they returned to Westland, Michigan. Their final move was to Plymouth Township in 2007. Joe and Sylvia began attending the Merriman Road Baptist Church and Joe also became a member of The American Legion, Post 32 in Livonia.

Joe is the beloved and devoted husband of Sylvia (nee Ryle) Canup, loving father of David (Nadine) Canup and Jodi (Gary) McMullen; proud grandfather of eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his dear sister, Jean Sutherland.

Joe will be laid to rest on Tuesday, November 14th at Great Lakes National Cemetery at Holly, Michigan. His Funeral Service will include Military Honors for his proudly serving in the United States Airforce. Chaplain Michael Bryan will celebrate the services.