John and Tina Rehm pose for a photo after collecting a $1 million Mega Millions prize.
A Dexter man didn’t know whether to laugh or cry after winning $1 million playing Mega Million.
John Rehm, 76, matched the five white balls drawn – 02-17-31-39-47 – in Tuesday’s drawing to win a $1 million prize. He bought his winning ticket at the Grand Party Store, located at 5760 Whitmore Lake Road in Brighton.
“A friend told me that a $1 million winning ticket was sold at the Grand Party Store so I went there to check my ticket,” said Rehm. “When I had the clerk scan my ticket, she screamed: ‘Oh my God! You’re the winner!’”
Rehm quickly tucked the winning ticket into his money clip and went home to tell his wife of 48 years, Tina, the good news.
“When he walked in he looked terrible,” said Tina. “I kept asking him what was going on, and he was kind of half laughing and half crying. He was acting so strange.
“The next thing I know, he blurted out: ‘We won the Lottery!’ I was stunned. I picked up to phone and called the Lottery just to see if he was right.”
John Rehm’s $1 million Mega Millions ticket.
Once Lottery officials confirmed the news, the Rehms called their children.
“We could barely talk when we got on the phone with our kids,” said Rehm. “It took a while to convince them we weren’t playing a trick on them.”
The Rehms visited Lottery headquarters Thursday to collect the $1 million prize. With their winnings, the couple plans to buy a boat and do some traveling with family.
“We’ve been very fortunate throughout our lives, and we’re going to continue enjoying our life together,” Rehm said.
Mega Millions drawings take place each Tuesday and Friday evening. Each Mega Millions play is only $1. For an additional $1 per play, players have the opportunity to add a “Megaplier” that can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to five times. Mega Millions tickets are sold in 44 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Tickets for Mega Millions drawings may be purchased at the Lottery’s 11,000 retailers around the state until 10:45 p.m. the day of the drawing.
