John Joseph Conrad
September 8th, 1925 - December 28th, 2022
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John's Obituary
Our beloved father, John Joseph Conrad, 97, passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Woodland Terrace of St. Joseph, MI (Assisted Living Facility).
A graveside service, with full military honors rendered by North Berrien Military Rights Team, will be held on Saturday, April 29 at 11:00 AM at Calvary Cemetery, 1736 Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan. Deacon Ed Nickel will be the officiant. Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be made in his memory to Ss. John and Bernard Catholic Church, 580 Columbus Ave., Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Afterwards, we welcome friends and family to a Celebration of Life luncheon from 12 – 3 pm at the FOP Lodge #96, 2665 Niles Road, St. Joseph, Michigan. Please send your RSVP for the luncheon to johnconradmemorial@gmail.com. Dress is casual.
John was born September 08, 1925 in Morton Grove, IL to Mathilda (Schoenbeck) Conrad and John Jacob Conrad. He served in the US Army during WWII from 1943 – 1946, in Italy, as a combat infantry soldier with the 34th Infantry Division, earning the Combat Infantry Badge, the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with 3 Bronze Service Stars. He also received the American Theatre Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. At the end of his Military Service, he incurred a firearm injury, resulting in amputation of his left lower leg at the age of 20. Despite his serious injury, John learned to walk and function normally using various prosthetics.
He graduated from St. John High School in 1947; then attended Western Michigan University upon honorable discharge from the US Army. John was an avid reader and took classes at WMU. John married Rose Marsala on May 22, 1948, in Benton Harbor, MI. They shared 69 years together until she preceded him in death on October 29th, 2017.
John worked for Whirlpool Corporation for 36 years in various Managerial capacities. While at Whirlpool, he served on the Board of Directors of Whirlpool Employees Credit Union (now United FCU) for 25 years - 5 years as Chairman. John organized the first contingent of the Junior Achievement Program for the twin cities, sponsored by Whirlpool in 1954.
He was an active member of St. John’s Catholic Parish and a supporter of the Readiness Center for many years. He was also a bookkeeper for approximately 10 years at the Catholic Community Center and was Chairman of the Vatican II for the Parish.
As everyone who knew him realized, John never met a stranger. He was genuinely interested in others’ lives and their families. He often visited family members or friends throughout the Twin cities or visited various Assisted Living Facilities just to chat with people he knew. He enjoyed comradery with co-workers for lunch; served on the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol in St. Joseph; and attended Golden Eagles events. John was a member of the Amvets, the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Disabled American Veterans, and Lest We Forget.
Among his hobbies were fishing, bowling, and attending classic car shows.
He is survived by his five children: Mary Anne (Jeff) Dutra, Pat (Fred) Strong, Mike (Cindy) Conrad, Ken Conrad, and Nancy (Bruce) Chatterley; 11 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews; one brother, Ed Conrad. He is also survived by a special friend, Sally Holobaugh.
In addition to his wife Rose, he was preceded in death by his parents; brother (Raymond Conrad); and sisters (Frances Arend, Arlene Patti, Rosemary Conrad).
A graveside service, with full military honors rendered by North Berrien Military Rights Team, will be held on Saturday, April 29 at 11:00 AM at Calvary Cemetery, 1736 Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan. Deacon Ed Nickel will be the officiant. Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be made in his memory to Ss. John and Bernard Catholic Church, 580 Columbus Ave., Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Afterwards, we welcome friends and family to a Celebration of Life luncheon from 12 – 3 pm at the FOP Lodge #96, 2665 Niles Road, St. Joseph, Michigan. Please send your RSVP for the luncheon to johnconradmemorial@gmail.com. Dress is casual.
John was born September 08, 1925 in Morton Grove, IL to Mathilda (Schoenbeck) Conrad and John Jacob Conrad. He served in the US Army during WWII from 1943 – 1946, in Italy, as a combat infantry soldier with the 34th Infantry Division, earning the Combat Infantry Badge, the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with 3 Bronze Service Stars. He also received the American Theatre Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. At the end of his Military Service, he incurred a firearm injury, resulting in amputation of his left lower leg at the age of 20. Despite his serious injury, John learned to walk and function normally using various prosthetics.
He graduated from St. John High School in 1947; then attended Western Michigan University upon honorable discharge from the US Army. John was an avid reader and took classes at WMU. John married Rose Marsala on May 22, 1948, in Benton Harbor, MI. They shared 69 years together until she preceded him in death on October 29th, 2017.
John worked for Whirlpool Corporation for 36 years in various Managerial capacities. While at Whirlpool, he served on the Board of Directors of Whirlpool Employees Credit Union (now United FCU) for 25 years - 5 years as Chairman. John organized the first contingent of the Junior Achievement Program for the twin cities, sponsored by Whirlpool in 1954.
He was an active member of St. John’s Catholic Parish and a supporter of the Readiness Center for many years. He was also a bookkeeper for approximately 10 years at the Catholic Community Center and was Chairman of the Vatican II for the Parish.
As everyone who knew him realized, John never met a stranger. He was genuinely interested in others’ lives and their families. He often visited family members or friends throughout the Twin cities or visited various Assisted Living Facilities just to chat with people he knew. He enjoyed comradery with co-workers for lunch; served on the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol in St. Joseph; and attended Golden Eagles events. John was a member of the Amvets, the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Disabled American Veterans, and Lest We Forget.
Among his hobbies were fishing, bowling, and attending classic car shows.
He is survived by his five children: Mary Anne (Jeff) Dutra, Pat (Fred) Strong, Mike (Cindy) Conrad, Ken Conrad, and Nancy (Bruce) Chatterley; 11 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews; one brother, Ed Conrad. He is also survived by a special friend, Sally Holobaugh.
In addition to his wife Rose, he was preceded in death by his parents; brother (Raymond Conrad); and sisters (Frances Arend, Arlene Patti, Rosemary Conrad).
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