Jay P. Warner

Published 8:51 am Tuesday, June 26, 2018

June 15, 1941 — June 23, 2018

Jay P. Warner was born on Father’s Day, June 15, 1941, to Jasper and Beulah (Johnson) Warner and passed away on June 23, 2018, in Niles.

He was the oldest of six boys.

Jay P. Warner

Jay graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1960.

In his early years, Jay worked for Rudy’s in Dowagiac and Cook Nuclear Plant. Later he worked many years as a Union Iron Worker. Jay helped build many structures in the Michiana area.

Most notably, Kincheloe Elementary School and Flanner and Grace Halls at the University of Notre Dame.

After leaving ironwork, Jay went to work at Juno factory, when the factory shut down he started driving for Pigeon River, hauling grain. He then drove for Keesler Trucking, retiring on Sept., 16, 2015.

On June 20, 1959, he married the former Louise Merrill and three children were born to this union. They later divorced. He married Freddie Lou (Greenway) Davis on Jan. 3, 1976, and two children were born to that union.

Jay was an avid Notre Dame Fan. He also enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, traveling to the U.P., spending time with his family and sitting by a campfire drinking a beer.

Jay is survived by his children; Paula (Richard) Cowsert, of Eau Claire, Rhonda (Patrick) McCauslin, of Edwardsburg, Kenneth (Faith) Warner, of Niles, Raymond Warner, of Cassopoli,s and Jennifer (Duane Lintula) Marshall, of Chatham, Michigan, grandchildren, Stephenie (Bill) Reynard, Jason (Lena) Froehlich, Jenifer (Mike) Bevins, Dane Warner, Brooke (Jaron) Mosier, Matthew Warner, Rachel Marshall, Emma Warner and Hayden Warner; eight great-grandchildren, brothers, Dale Warner, of Niles, and Gordon (Debbie) Warner, of Sister Lakes.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents; wife Freddie Lou, infant son Johnny, grandson Jordan Marshall, infant granddaughter Kaileena Warner; and brothers, David, Tim and Keith Warner.

A celebration of Jay’s life will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2018, at noon at the Dowagiac Moose Lodge, 54867 M 51 N., Dowagiac.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Caring Circle or to the family in c/o Rhonda McCauslin. The family would like to thank Vanessa and Tasha of Caring Circle for the wonderful care they gave our dad. Without your care and support we would have been lost. Arrangements have been entrusted to Clark Chapel & Cremation Services.