Jeanette A. "Jan" Kairis

July 17, 1920 - Feb. 23, 2012
EDWARDSBURG - Jeanette A. "Jan" Kairis, 91, of Edwardsburg, died Thursday, February 23, 2012 in her home on Eagle Lake. She was born July 17, 1920 in Cleveland, Ohio to John and August Prochazka. She married Albert Carl Kairis on September 18, 1943 in Columbus, Mississippi. He preceded her in death on November 21, 1984. She was also preceded by three sisters, Mae Weisenberger, Lillian Nance, and Mildred Yohe, and three brothers, George Prochazka, and twins William and Robert Prochazka. Mrs. Kairis and her husband, Al, established Kairis Real Estate in Edwardsburg which they operated for over thirty years. Jan served on the Board of Trustees at Southwestern Michigan College, Dowagiac, from 1985 to the present, having been Secretary since 1991. She also served as Secretary on the Board of Directors of the Woodlands, Cass County's Mental Health Association, for over twenty years. She also served on the Cass County Library Board for over a decade as well as numerous other activities. She was active in Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, where she served as an usher. Jan is survived by one son, Al (Sandy Espinet) Kairis of San Jose del Cabo, Mexico; three daughters, Susan Kairis of Valparaiso, Indiana, Virginia (James) Crawford of Houston, Texas, and Mary (David) Moody of Crawford, Nebraska; nine grandchildren, Austin and Cooper Kairis, David and Benjamin Hosfeld, Jamie Ashbrooks, Vanessa Crawford-Jones, Christopher Crawford, and Justin and Dawson Moody; six great grandchildren, Skyler and Nathan, Noah and Carter James, and Aaron and Trent; and two sisters, Rosemarie Kuntz of Cleveland, Ohio and Frances Burrowes of Orlando, Florida; and a host of nieces and nephews. Family and friends will gather on Sunday, February 26, 2012 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis. The Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2012 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 24832 US Highway 12, Edwardsburg, with Father Joe McCormick officiating. Following the service Mrs. Kairis will be laid to rest beside her husband in Edwardsburg Cemetery, Edwardsburg. The family prefers memorial contributions to Southwestern Michigan College, 58900 Cherry Grove Road, Dowagiac, Michigan 49047 or Woodlands Mental Health Center, 960 M-60 East, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031. Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Online condolences may be sent to: wagnercares.com.