John R. Sobieski, 75, of Dowagiac, passed away at 4:25 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.

John’s life began on Dec. 1, 1935, in South Bend, Ind., the son of Bernard and Marie (Suplicki) Sobieski.

He was united in marriage to Gloria Light on Aug. 18, 1952, in Cassopolis.

John was employed by Consolidated Die Cast (Contech) in Dowagiac for 35 years as a maintenance supervisor.

After retiring from Contech, John worked for Gaylord Stevenson Conveyors in Paw Paw.

John was active in the horsemanship program for Cass County 4-H.

He was a member of the Cass County Sheriff’s Mounted Division.

John loved to hunt and fish and ride snowmobiles. He competed in snowmobile races in northern Michigan.

He loved riding his Honda Goldwing and attending the blessing of the bikes in Baldwin each year.

John was a skilled welder and made woodstoves for family, a pony cart, horse trailers and his own wood splitter.

His most recent hobby involved learning to play guitar.

His greatest joy was his family, which includes: his wife of 58 years, Gloria Sobieski of Dowagiac; his children, Gloria “Peachy” Koenig of Dowagiac, Katie (Gary) Peterson of Edwardsburg, Tim Sobieski of Dowagiac and Chuck (Denise) Sobieski of Dowagiac; grandchildren, Lisa Koenig, Michelle Stelmasiak, Becky Ledesma, Carrie (Deny) White, Caren Sobieski, Crystal Sobieski, Chuck Sobieski Jr. and Cindy Sobieski; great-grandchildren, Katelyn Ledesma, Deny White Jr., Myndy  White, Gracelyn Caldwell and Gabriella Patterson; and one brother, Ben (Beverly) Sobieski of Baldwin.

John is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Lorraine Pifer.

His family will receive friends on Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Yazel and Clark Chapel, where his funeral service will be held on Monday at 2 p.m.

He will be laid to rest in Mission Hills Cemetery, Niles.

Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to the Cass County Fair. Please sign his guestbook and leave a memory of John at www.yazel-clark.com.