John E. Bannow

Dr. John E. Bannow, 78, of St. Joseph passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at home. He enjoyed his last days and weeks visiting with family and friends.

A celebration of life service will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 1, First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, with the Rev. Jeffrey Hubers officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. A private inurnment in Riverview Cemetery Columbarium will be held at a later time.

Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center, Caring Circle of Corewell Lakeland Health, St. Joseph, Sarett Nature Center, or First Congregational Church, St. Joseph.

John was born on May 14, 1945, in Flint, Mich., to John T. and Doris Kelly Bannow.

He grew up in Mount Clemens, Mich., graduating from Mount Clemens High School, Albion College, and University of Michigan Medical School. During medical school he met Barbara Hudson and they married in Ann Arbor on July 11, 1970. Last summer they celebrated 52 years of marriage with a wonderfully fun week on Hilton Head Island with their daughters and their families.

After finishing his internship and residency in urology at University of Kansas Medical Center in 1976, John joined Cedarwood Medical Center in St. Joseph. John was a founding partner of Lakeside Urology and retired after almost 40 years of serving the community. He always said the best part of practicing medicine was his patients. He really enjoyed getting to know them and hearing about their interesting lives and hobbies.

John served in the U.S. Army Reserves, 325th General Hospital for six years.

John was a man of many interests and he dove 110 percent into each one. A college art class led to his interest in pottery and he threw countless pots at Krasl Art Center and on his basement pottery wheel. Growing up in a boating family, he went on to race his sailboat, Eclipse, in the St. Joseph Yacht Club buoy races and the Tri-State Regatta for a number of years. Running track in college kept him running in many local 10K's culminating in the Chicago Marathon. John had a life-long interest in plants; he was a master gardener and member of the Michiana Orchid Society. A few orchids developed into hundreds of orchids and he loved his greenhouse. He visited orchid growers and orchid shows wherever he traveled and shared his hobby by speaking to local garden groups.

John rode his bike with friends long distances all over Berrien County, was a member of the Whiners Bicycle Club, and made the week-long trek across Iowa each July for 11 years as part of RAGBRAI.

He and Barb played countless rounds of golf over the years, first at Berrien Hills Country Club and then Point O' Woods Golf and Country Club and wherever they traveled. They were fortunate to be able to visit and explore many countries all over the world. John was an active member of First Congregational Church, St. Joseph, for over 45 years.

John is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter, Dr. Karen (Chris) McConnell of Libertyville, Ill.; daughter, Elissa (Steve) Hyatt of Fairlawn, Ohio; grandchildren: John "Jack", Addy, Hannah, and Will Hyatt, and Delaney and Parker McConnell; brother Dr. Paul (Joseph) Bannow; brother Dr. Tom (Mickey) Bannow; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Janet and Scott Allen; and nephews: Mike Allen and Brett (Liz) Allen.