James Martin JANKOWIAK

29 JUL 1940 - 24 AUG 2022

• BIRTH: 29 JUL 1940, South Bend, St Joseph, IN
• DEATH: 24 AUG 2022, Grand Rapids, Kent, MI

• MARRIAGE: 13 OCT 1962, St Joseph County, IN

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[N32974] James Martin Jankowiak
July 29, 1940 - August 24, 2022

James Martin Jankowiak, 82, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, August 24, 2022. Jim was born on July 29, 1940, to Walter and Irma Jankowiak in South Bend, Indiana. He graduated from St. Joseph High School and then went on to attend the University of Notre Dame’s College of Business. Jim married his wife of sixty years, Delores (Wier) Jann, on October 13, 1962. They moved to Lansing, Michigan, where Jim became the Vice President of Lansing Stamping. Jim and Delores moved to Grand Rapids, MI, and had four wonderful daughters as well as his eight grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Sherry Jann; and parents, Walter and Irma Jankowiak. He is survived by his wife, Delores; three daughters, Terrie (John) Kloosterman, Tammy (Gary) VanderStelt, Stacie (John) Sokolowski; grandchildren, Tayler (Davey) Sedlecky, Ashley (Ben) Gorman, Sherry, Ryan, Jenna & Brady Sokolowski, Gary and Gregory VanderStelt; and brother, Wayne (Laurie) Jann. Jim spent much of his life as a designer and innovator. He was a talented ice skater, photographer, and woodworker. Jim had a successful career as an executive at Gordon Manufacturing and started his own business in office seating later in life, where he obtained several patents. He was an avid lover of science, history, and the unknown. Visitation with the family will be held on August 29, 2022, from 9am-11am, with a time of sharing starting at 10am, at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Interment will take place at Southlawn Cemetery, 61430 US-31, South Bend, IN 46614 at 3:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 1471 E. 12 Mile Road Madison Heights, MI 48071 or Faith Hospice, 2100 Raybrook SE Suite 300 Grand Rapids, MI 49546.

Posted online on August 25, 2022
Published in South Bend Tribune