John Kollath, Jr.
April 30th, 1944 - January 30th, 2024
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John's Obituary
John A. Kollath, Jr., age 79, passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on April 30, 1944, to John, Sr. and Adeline (Hanson) Kollath in Britton, South Dakota.
A funeral service for John will take place on Monday, February 5, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd. with visitation taking place one hour prior to the service. Entombment will take place at North Shores Memory Gardens in Coloma, Michigan. For a more lasting memory, donations in John’s name can be made out to Lest We Forget.
John graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1962 and then went on to complete the Tool and Die Apprentice program at LMC. In 1968 John enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country in Kaiserslautern, Germany. After his return from the service, he went to work for Whirlpool Corporation starting at the Benton Harbor Division and later at Research and Engineering in the Prototype Department. He retired after 29 years in 2001. While working, he continued his education graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from Siena Heights University.
John leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 29 years, Pauletta Kollath; step-son, Ryan (Vianey) Sims; granddaughter, Abigail Sims; brothers, James (Candace) Kollath, Richard (Carol) Kollath; nieces and nephews, James (Christine) Kollath, Jr., Jennifer (Cary) McKim, Nicholas (Tricia) Kollath, Carlie (Caleb) Wells, Kate Savarese; great nieces and nephews, Avery and Benjamin Kollath; Ella and Daniel McKim; Adeline, Emma and Ava Kollath; Gideon Wells; Riley Kollath and Eli Savarese.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his beloved son, Christopher Kollath.
A funeral service for John will take place on Monday, February 5, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd. with visitation taking place one hour prior to the service. Entombment will take place at North Shores Memory Gardens in Coloma, Michigan. For a more lasting memory, donations in John’s name can be made out to Lest We Forget.
John graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1962 and then went on to complete the Tool and Die Apprentice program at LMC. In 1968 John enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country in Kaiserslautern, Germany. After his return from the service, he went to work for Whirlpool Corporation starting at the Benton Harbor Division and later at Research and Engineering in the Prototype Department. He retired after 29 years in 2001. While working, he continued his education graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from Siena Heights University.
John leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 29 years, Pauletta Kollath; step-son, Ryan (Vianey) Sims; granddaughter, Abigail Sims; brothers, James (Candace) Kollath, Richard (Carol) Kollath; nieces and nephews, James (Christine) Kollath, Jr., Jennifer (Cary) McKim, Nicholas (Tricia) Kollath, Carlie (Caleb) Wells, Kate Savarese; great nieces and nephews, Avery and Benjamin Kollath; Ella and Daniel McKim; Adeline, Emma and Ava Kollath; Gideon Wells; Riley Kollath and Eli Savarese.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his beloved son, Christopher Kollath.
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