Ivan K. Jankov

Jankov, Ivan K.
of The Apostolic Christian Home in Rittman, OH and formerly of Phoenix, AZ and Akron, OH passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on June 6, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn, his four children: Roger of Rittman, OH; Richard (Margret) of Wooster, OH; Bethany (Gary Weinhardt) of Wooster, OH and Ron of Woodside, CA along with eight grandchildren, one great grandchild and many nephews, nieces and great nephews and nieces. He is also survived by two sisters, Svetlana and Rujica (Milan) of Banat, Serbia. Ivan was blessed to see his parents convert to faith in Jesus Christ when he was a teenager in the country formerly known as Yugoslavia. By hearing the gospel of Christ and observing their changed life, seeds of hope and faith were planted in his heart which would enable him to endure the hardships of WWII; hardships that included enduring forced labor in Germany, post-war prison camp and the compulsory conscription into the Partisan Army after his escape. God's providential hand spared him from certain death many times during his lifetime. He immigrated to Ohio in 1950 and in 1952 made a lifelong commitment to live for and serve Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He was married to Marilyn Novkov in 1953. He and Marilyn with three young children moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1957 where he worked as a machinist and then a self-employed entrepreneur in the coin-operated laundry service. Throughout his years, Ivan devoted himself to Christ, his family and church. He made 23 trips to Yugoslavia to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with family and friends. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, faithfulness and friends across the globe. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, at the Apostolic Christian Church of Norton, 3816 Greenwich Rd., Norton, OH 44203 with Elder Reinhardt Webel officiating. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:30-11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church. For online register book, obituary, condolences, visit www.gillmanfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Upward Bound Youth, P. O. Box 1482, Wooster, OH 44691 or Apostolic Christian Church of Wooster, c/o 1280 E. Milltown Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.