John L. Dodge

John "Johnny" Levene Dodge, 92, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Benton Harbor.

John was born on May 29, 1933, to Levi and Jessie (Stevens) Dodge in Oil City, Mich. As a young child, he developed a talent and deep love of music through his father, who played guitar. He was a Chippewa and Munsee native, spending some time in his childhood on an Indian reservation before his family settled in Southwest Michigan. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1953.

He was a proud veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Army as a PFC in the 304th Signal Battalion, and spending more than 14 months in the Republic of Korea. While in the Army, he trained to be a teletype equipment mechanic at the U.S. Army Signal School (Far East Command). He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal for his service and honorably discharged after the war ended.

Since its foundation in 1960, John was a repairman, truck driver and often an "everything man" at Kendall Electric in Benton Harbor, formerly Industrial Electric, for more than 35 years until his retirement in the late 1990s. He loved being able to "come home for supper after a long day on the road" and cherished the lifelong friendships he made along the way. His tenure with the company was a great source of pride for many years, even long after retirement.

His love of science and engineering translated into other facets of his life, repairing and building wristwatches, clocks, electric motors and other electronics. He handmade and gifted many watches throughout his lifetime, often tinkering with the mechanisms under a focused swing-arm lamp. He once built a working analog clock out of a 12-inch vinyl record, which is still ticking today.

Johnny was a virtuoso, an incredibly gifted musician, mastering the electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo, keyboard, ukulele and other instruments. Affectionately known as the musician who didn't smile while playing, Johnny could be seen hyper-focusing or getting lost "in the zone" while playing music, allowing the rhythm and melody to take the lead.

Throughout his career as a musician, Johnny was a member of many duos and bands, many of which he recorded records with. He was the lead guitarist for Charlie Mott and the Jokers, The Paul Newman Band, Variety 77, Gospel River Band and most recently, Music Connection and Heart & Soul until his retirement.

While he didn't read sheet music, Johnny could recall and play any song from his ever-sharp memory, effortlessly picking up the notes with ease. For more than 70 years, he played live shows for crowds (big and small) throughout Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and beyond, often playing at local special events or venues, such as Blossom Lanes, The Jokers Club and later, various nursing homes in the area.

John was a proficient speaker of Japanese, German, Portuguese and other languages. He enjoyed bowling, playing pool, vintage cars, antique wares, science fiction shows or films and having a meal with meatloaf, pot roast, or cheeseburgers – and always dessert! He had a wonderfully witty sense of humor and loved to tell jokes or make people laugh.

He married the love of his life, Betty, on Feb. 27, 1971, in St. Joseph. For more than 54 years, John and Betty shared a marriage that was uplifted by love, devotion and community. Through simple acts of love or kindness, they welcomed neighbors and strangers with warmth, always offering to lend a helping hand without being asked and treating people from every walk of life with equal respect and dignity.

For more than 20 years, John supported his wife and her care of generations of children through Aloha Daycare, often playing music at holiday parties or other social events. Their union of love lives on within the values they instilled, memories they created, and the countless lives they shaped or brightened together.

To cherish his loving memory, he leaves behind his beloved wife, Betty Dodge of Benton Harbor; three stepdaughters: Roberta King of Benton Harbor, Elizabeth (Rusty) Larson of Fifty Six, Ark., and Patti (Daniel) Borje of Oahu, Hawaii; a stepson, Henry King of Oahu; four grandsons: Jason Orr and Justin Thames of Benton Harbor, Steven and Matthew Deng of Chicago; five granddaughters: Nicole (Tim) Hallman of Fifty Six, Keanu Rogers of Gobles, Mich., Ammie-Marie (Jay) Sprowls of Pittsburgh, Linda (Dustin) Stilwell of Pikeville, N.C., and Brittany (Paul) Wiley of Cheboygan, Mich.; daughter-in-law, Millie Dodge of Stevensville and a host of great-grandchildren, extended relatives, dear friends, and all those who loved and listened to him play music over the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Levi and Jessie Dodge; his son, Timothy Dodge; brother, Gene Dodge; and three half-siblings: Thomas Barratt, Noel Barratt and Gloria Ott.

Special thanks to Corewell Health Hospice and his wonderful care team, Heather and Melissa, for their compassionate care of John over the past three years. He loved his life and he lived it well. Thank you for treating him with the dignity he deserved until the end.

A celebration of John's life will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, at the Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with visitation starting at 1 p.m. Mrs. Dodge welcomes all musicians who would like to honor Johnny's life with the gift of music, if they so desire. A private burial will be held in Fairview Memorial Cemetery in Watervliet at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family to assist with final arrangements.

To those who choose to leave a memory or condolence, please visit www.starksfamilyfh.com.