John Janssen, 88 / April 30, 1922-Jan. 27, 2011
Published 11:55 pm Friday, January 28, 2011
John P. “Jack” Janssen, 88, of Gage Street in Dowagiac, passed away peacefully, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011, surrounded by his family, at his home.
John Janssen, 88
He was born on April 30, 1922 in De Pere, Wis. to the late Peter and Anna Janssen.
On June 1, 1946 John married the love of his life Shirley J. Tinkey at Holy Maternity Catholic Church in Dowagiac.
After graduating high school, John joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he served his country proudly during WWII on the U.S.S. Yorktown aircraft carrier. After returning from the war John worked for Goerlichs, Bendix, Cass County Road Commission and was a courier for many years for FMB Bank. He enjoyed spending time in his 35 acres of woods, splitting wood, spending time on a mower and traveling the world with his wife. He loved growing and selling Christmas trees for over fifty years on his farm. His greatest passion was for his family and loved everyone being together.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons; Charles and John Janssen, six brothers; Andrew, Joseph, Francis, Laurence, James and Robert Janssen, seven sisters; Henrietta Caulfield, Mary Johnson, Agatha Janssen, Margaret James, Florence Watcha, Mary Janssen and Lillian Hibbard.
John is survived by his wife of over 64 years Shirley Janssen of Dowagiac, four sons; William “Bill” (Vickie) Janssen of Niles, Richard “Rick” (Brenda) Janssen of Dowagiac, Dave (Toni) Janssen of Dowagiac and Steve (Alice) Janssen of Sodus, three daughters; Sandy (Chuck) Fancher of Dowagiac, Diane (Bill) Visel of Dowagiac and Judy (Fred) Bournay of Dowagiac, 28 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, a brother Raymond (Eleanor) Janssen of Dowagiac, two sisters Estelle (Homa) Tindall of Dowagiac and Dorothy Papp of Arizona, a brother-in-law Bob Tinkey of Nebraska and a very special sister-in-law Sharon (Bill) Kurdelmeyer of Dowagiac and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 11 a.m. at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac.
Memorial contributions may be made in John’s memory to Lakeland Hospice or Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital.
Condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home &Cremation Services, Niles and Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.
