John Ananias

ALBION-John Ananias, 83, a resident of rural Albion, passed away at 2:30 p. m. on Thursday, October 18, 2012, at his residence.e He had been in failing health for the past three months. Mr. Ananias was born on June 12, 1929 in Kendallville, a son of George and Alice (Owens) Ananias, and spent his formative years there.e He graduated from Kendallville High School in 1947, and as a young man served with the U. S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Formerly employed at Monsanto and Warner Gear, he retired at age 62 from Auburn Gear.e He was a member of the Albion American Legion Post 246, and was well known as a talented craftsman with wood.e In his leisure time he also enjoyed playing cards with his friends at the American Legion. On November 3, 1973 he was married in Ligonier to Bonnie R. "Betty" (Kever) Blair.e She preceded him on death on November 15, 2003. The surviving relatives include his children Valerie Blackburn of Jefferson, Col., Nicolas (Penny) Ananias of Salem, Ore., Danny Ananias of Cromwell, and Christopher Ananias of Peru; three step-children Steven "Gene" (Cindy) Blair of Cromwell, and Pamela (Dennis) Foreman and Joseph Blair, both of Fort Wayne; his step-mother Sophie Ananias of SC; a brother Bill (Evelyn) Ananias of Portland, Ore; three half-sisters Helen, Angela, and Alexandria; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter Vickie Lynn Ananias; a grandson Adam Michael; and three sisters. Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. on Sunday, October 21, 2012, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Pastor Thomas Ebbing, officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 6 to 8 p. m., or one hour prior to the service Sunday afternoon. Interment will be in the Orange Twp. Cemetery, Brimfield. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home, 5910 Homestead Rd., Fort Wayne, INe 46814