John G. Sailer died suddenly June 12 in Arlington, Va. He was 67.
Sailer, who attended Sacred Heart Seminary for seven years in his youth, was an active member of the Sacred Heart Major Seminary alumni board.
Born Feb. 11, 1943 in Monroe, he earned a bachelor’s degree in geograph and psychology and a master’s in resource planning from the University of Michigan.
He was certified as a level four assessor and, working as an independent contractor, he served as the city assessor for the cities of Orchard Lake Village, Farmington and Wixom. He also possessed a number of other professional certifications and qualifications.
During his time as an assessor, he helped to lead the computerization of Oakland County’s assessing systems, the use of CAD technologies in assessing, and the introduction of digital photography in assessing. He also helped to introduce the use of geographic information systems (GIS) in the aforementioned cities.
Mr. Sailer was an active member of St. Hugo of the Hills Parish in Bloomfield Hills, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus through St. Owen Parish, Bloomfield Hills.
He was a member of the Xavier Society at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, after having served for a number of years with the Dad’s Club while his son was in high school.
Mr. Sailer is survived by his wife of 37 years, Theodora (Engel); a son, David; a daughter, Kathleen Kraft (Kenny); and a grandson, Collier Kraft; two sisters, Mary Stout (Ellsworth) and Kathy Petrangelo (James); and a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and godchildren.
A funeral Mass was celebrated July 3 at St. Hugo of the Hills Church, Bloomfield Hills.. Memorials to Sacred Heart Major Seminary, 2701 Chicago Blvd., Detroit 48206
