Born: Dec. 25, 1938

Died: Nov. 4, 2012

John F. Grant, Sr., age 73 years of Niles, Mich., died at 1:55 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 at Kindred Hospital Northern Indiana in Mishawaka following a brief illness.

He was born on Dec. 25, 1938 in Springfield, Ohio to Howard and Viola (Ashing) Grant.  He graduated from Niles High School, and lived here most of his life.  He served in the United States Army, and was stationed in Korea.  He was employed at Modineer, and at the former Tyler Refrigeration and Nyloncraft.

John was a member of the American Legion Post 26 in Niles.  He was a vocalist and drummer for several area bands.  He enjoyed expanding his intellect through science journals, word puzzles, and challenging repairs in his home shop.  He is best remembered for his sense of humor.

On July 26, 1963 in Niles he married the former Mary Ellen Fisher with whom he had celebrated the forty-ninth anniversary of their marriage.

Surviving family includes his wife, Mary Ellen Grant, and their children, Fran (& Walter) Ludwig, John (& Emily) Grant, Jr., and Julie (& Joe) Hess, all of Niles and Vicki (& Jeff) Winslett of Galien, Mich., and Kimberly (& Russell) Schermerhorn of Milford, Pa.; grandchildren, Chris Ludwig, Lauren Ludwig, Allison Grant, Joey Hess, Derek Hess, Abigail Hess, Jessica Winslett, Joshua Winslett, Jordan Winslett, Jenna Winslett, and Steven Schermerhorn; great-granddaughter, Kyleigh Hayes; and John’s sister, Gertrude (& William Meyers of Niles, and brother, William H. Grant of Eau Claire, Mich., and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for John F. Grant will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.  Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with Full Military Honors by American Legion Post 26 in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.  Contributions in memory of John may be made to the donor’s choice.