John P. Avery

John (Jack) Patrick Avery passed away September 21, 2024. John was born in September of 1926 to Ross B. and Ruth (Hickey) Avery. He was the 6th of ten children. John was proceeded in his death by his parents, wife, Francis (Shingledecker) Avery. Brothers Frances, Richard, Wilfred, James, Joseph. Sisters Marie, Jean, Sarah (as an infant). His Sister Arlene Avery survives.

Survivors include his daughter Janet Tavernier, and son Kevin Avery. Four grandkids, Sarah (James) Lunn, Kate (Rob) Blakely, Rebekah Wells (Adam Shaw) and Adam Tavernier. Eight great grandchildren, Emma Davidhizar, Madelyn and Charles Blakely, James, Hudson, Caleb Lunn and Shelby and Logan Wells.

John and Fran were wed on July 10th, 1948, in Mishawaka and celebrated 71 years of marriage before her death in 2020 at age 93. They built their first home on Ferris Avenue in Mishawaka with help from family in Mishawaka and moved to Edison Road in Osceola in 1967 to their current home.

John attended Kennedy school and Mishawaka High School. He was a WWII Army veteran who left as a Master Sargent. He was a charter member of North Side Penn Township volunteer fire department where he served for many years including chief for multiple years. He was a firefighter earning several certifications and his wife Fran was on the auxiliary at the department activities including fires, wrecks, medical calls, parties, and the biannual fish fries.

After the Army, John worked at Bendix Corporation where he and several brothers worked and retired from. John retired early from purchasing in the experimental division (they were going to make him learn to use computers) and spent more time retired from work than he worked at Bendix. A great sense of satisfaction for him. He had big gardens leading to family canning sessions, playing Euchre and pinochle with family and friends and smoking his corn cob pipes for over 82 years. They camped with family and friends when their children were young.

The family would like to thank St. Joe Hospital, Dr. Abigail Battjes who gave as good as she got from dad and the wonderful care at the Raclin Center for Hospice Care.

Services to honor John’s life are scheduled from 4-7pm, Thursday, September 26th with a service on Friday, September 27th at 10 am at Cruz Family Funeral Home, Osceola. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Post 360 or Center for Hospice. To light a virtual candle, share a story of John’s life, or extend a message of comfort to his family please visit the Tribute Tab above.