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John Janik Obituary
John J. Janik, age 63, of Crown Point, formerly of Merrillville, passed away Saturday, March 8, 2008. Survived by wife Lee of 37 years; two sons: Ted (Chris) Janik of Valparaiso and John (Bridgette) Janik III of Hudsonville, Michigan; three grandsons: Nathan, Austin and John Paul Janik; sister JoanMarie (Don) Brenner of Arizona; stepmother Elaine Janik of Dyer; stepsister Bernadette (Ed) Pratl of Evergreen Park, IL; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by parents John and Mary (nee Lazur) Janik. Mr. Janik was a member of St. Matthias Catholic Church and a former member of St. Bridget and S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Churches and their parish councils. John was the president and CEO of the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce for 28 years, a member of the Merrillville Education Foundation, founding member of the Regional Development Authority, a Charter Board member of the Regional Chamber Initiative, and was the original advocate for the Purdue Technology Center in Merrillville. He was the past president of the Merrillville Rotary and the former president of the Northwest Indiana Chamber Executives. John was very active in sports being the former president of the Andrean High School Athletic Association, coach of the Hobart Little League, Soccer, and Basketball Leagues. A graduate of Whiting High School, Class of 1963, he then received his B.S. from P.U.C. in 1967 and his M.B.A. from I.U.N. in 1974. John was an Army veteran of the Vietnam Conflict and a member of the American Legion Post 369. Friends may call at Pruzin Brothers Funeral Service, 6360 Broadway, Merrillville on Tuesday from 2-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 4:00p.m. and a Legion service at 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Wednesday , March 12, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. from the Pruzin Brothers Chapel and 10:00 a.m. from St. Matthias Catholic Church (101 W. Burrell Dr., Crown Point) with Rev. Dennis Teles officiating. Cremation to follow services at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northwestern Memorial Hospital Cancer Research Foundation (676 N. St. Clair St., Suite 2050, Chicago, IL 60611) or St. Anthony's Burrell Cancer Institute. Family and friends may share an online condolence or memory at www.pruzinfuneralservice.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Janik
Mike Cicak
March 4, 2020
Always in my memory
Dee Enrico-Janik
March 25, 2008
Dear Lee and family- I was home for Easter and heard of your loss. I will always remember John for his upbeat way of looking at life. I have many fond memories of doing guest spots on his Chamber radio program and John's assistance in getting the word out on mental health issues. Finally, we did have a good chuckle over the times I was asked if I was his wife, since we were involved in similar community activities:-)
May God give all of you the strength to grieve his loss and many joyous memories! Blessings to all.
Barbara Caesar
March 16, 2008
I just found out today about John and was so sorry to hear it. My sympathy is with you!
Barbara Caesar
Jim & Sally Burns
March 16, 2008
Dear Lee & Family-
John was a very special guy and a good friend. I always loved talking and reminiscing with him. He was always so very proud of his family.
He surely gave a lot of his time and energy to the Chamber and the Town of Merrillville. We will all miss John very much, but we will think of him often.
Elena Withers
March 12, 2008
Lee and Family,
My condolences to you and your family during this time and please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
March 12, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Mike, Lou Ann and Alyssa Minogue
Parishioners of SS.Peter and Paul
Walter & Carolyn Lane
March 12, 2008
Truly John was a great man, someone not only his family will miss but, everyone that has had the previledge to meet him. Meeting John as he was a customer in the bulk mail section at the post office , allowed me the honor to become a friend of his. He assisted my husband and I in the selling and buying of a home. We both fell in love with the manner in which he genuinly cared for people. We will always cherish the fact that we had an opportunity to meet one of the greatest people God had to offer this world. We are praying for peace and comfort to his family in these difficult times. Love Walter & Carolyn Lane
Charles Skurka
March 12, 2008
John was raised on Fred Street in Whiting down the block from me. We were classmates both in grade school and high school. He was a caring and compassionate person who enjoyed life. He has left his everlasting imprint on the people that he touched.
Dave & Reggie VanBerg
March 11, 2008
Lee,Elaine,Bernie & Family,
Roger,Bernie & myself were so very sad about John's passing. As you know,the family lived down the street from us in Whiting. You'll be in our prayers!
Roger & Maxine Michna
Sacramento,Ca.
Frank & Bernie Szczepkoswki
Chicago,Ill.
[email protected]
Dave & Reggie VanBerg
Fort Worth,Texas
Deana Schillaci
March 11, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
William Messenger
March 11, 2008
My condolences and prayers to you. I worked with John at NIRPC during our "208" planning days. I remember when he received the call that Teddy was on his way. He grabbed his coat and went running down the hall!! Now that was about 35 years ago! What a great guy! He will be missed.
Jorge Casimiro
March 11, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time of loss and sadness.
Bill & Kathy Gallagher
March 11, 2008
Dear Lee and Family,
May the Grace and Peace of God be with you.
May you find comfort in sweet & happy memories that will forever remain.
In Deepest Sympathy,
Bill & Kathy
Kevin Simpson
March 11, 2008
Lee,
May God comfort and guide you and your family in your time of loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
alice dejanovic
March 11, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Joel Morbito
March 11, 2008
My condolences to all John's family and friends. I worked with John at the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Agency more than 30 years ago and remember him fondly.
Lynn Heintz
March 11, 2008
Dear Lee. . . If there was ever a "Mr Merrillville" John Janik fit the bill and if there was ever an election for "Mayor of Lake County" John would have won hands down - John was a great leader, organizer, friend to many and simply a gentleman. His passing is a great loss to The Region. My deepest sympathies to you and your entire family. In fondness, Lynn Hasza-Heintz
Lynn Glodkowski
March 11, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Mike Berilla
March 11, 2008
John, good buddy, oh how I will miss you. We were together in high school hanging out; going to different events and just enjoying ourselves laughing and being buds. This lasted to death due us part. Lee, you were the perfect wife for John. He talked alot about you and loved you so much. John, I hope that one of these sunny days that we will meet again in less stressful times. May God be with you.
Dovonna Baxter
March 11, 2008
Lee,
My condolences to you and your family. May God bless you all in this time of sorrow.
Amy Taylor
March 11, 2008
Won't we all miss seeing his smiling face? What a great one of a kind man. He did so much for our business community over so many years. We couldn't have picked a better neighbor for our Mom.
Thanks John.
Chuck Greskovich
March 10, 2008
Lee...
John was a grade/high school classmate of mine. While the years and the miles have kept us from maintaining a close relationship. I cherish the times and experiences that we shared growing up in Whiting, while squandering our youth, and building our ideals. John was a sincere, warm and thoughtful friend. He will be sorely missed, and long appreciated.
March 10, 2008
Lee, please accept my deepest sympathy. I knew John for a few years when I was a Chamber Executive in Schererville. He was a great man. May God Bless You. Dana Vozar
Georgia and Denny Nichols
March 10, 2008
John, you will missed by so many people in so many ways for so many reasons. Our friendship started back in 1986 when I did my first Chamber radio program sitting in a booth at Miner Dunn. From that day on I was a John Janik fan. I remember meeting your father and your talks about Whiting, and the passing of your mother. I will remember how you would talk me into doing things and could talk me out of saying something stupid. I will never forget how you loved to talk. But most of all I knew how much your family meant to you. I will miss you, friend.
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there; I did not die
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a 1,000 winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sun on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled light
I am the soft star that shines at night Do not stand at my grave and cry I am not there; I did not die.
To Lee, the boys and family, may the arms that welcomed John into heaven be the same arms that hold your today.
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain."
Boy, John did dance.
Love and Friendship,
Georgia Nichols
John J. Janik
March 10, 2008
Michelle Saviano
March 10, 2008
Lee,
I am so sorry to hear about John. You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers.
Alma Richard
March 10, 2008
Lee,
May God Bless you and your family.
Love
Alma
Bill Lieber
March 10, 2008
Dear Lee and Family,
I was so sorry to learn of John's passing. Since moving out of the area last year, I guess I just didn't realize the extent of the disease. He worked very hard for Merrillville and Northwest Indiana and will be sorely missed. I was honored to consider him a friend and I extend my most sincere sympathy to you during this sad time. Take care and God bless.
Kofi Oppong
March 10, 2008
Lee, May the Lord strenghten you and your family at your time of loss.
Mike P. Cicak
March 10, 2008
To My Sister
John is in my mind and heart. The bigest memory I have of John is the day he Ron and I went Fishing At Willow Lake. I remeber he did not catch anything and was burnt to a crips by the sun but he had fun and was always joking - the last time I saw him toward Christmas - always a joke and smile as well as words of encourgaement about Gods gift of life- I will miss him..and as John would. Its Another chamber of Commerce Day!!!!!! :)
Patti Gonzalez-DeVinney
March 10, 2008
Lee, Ted, JJ and families.
John was a wonderful person, who has left some woderful memories for all of us. We share in your loss, but were belssed with knowing John.
Love to all,
Patti, John, Will, Candi, Melissa, Amy and the rest of the DeVinney clan.
Mary Jostes
March 10, 2008
On behalf of Jack Keithely and staff at Allstate in Lowell, our deepest sympathies to Lee and family. You are all in our prayers.
Daniel and Cindy Dernulc
March 10, 2008
Lee:
John was friend to the Merrillville community. I know he will be sorely missed. My family and I will keep you in our prayers
Cassandra Herriford (former Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce)
March 10, 2008
John was a beautiful person with a kind, caring, loving heart. He always had a smile on his face and something funny to say to bring a smile on my face. He was loved and will be greatly missed in the community and by all who was blessed to know him. He loved his job and was outstanding in representing the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce. His shoes will never be filled. He is now absent in the body but present with the Lord. May GOD bless his family and friends and give them peace.
PAT AND DAN MOYNIHAN
March 10, 2008
DEAR LEE AND FAMILY WE ARE SO SORRY. JOHN WILL BE MISSED, GOD BLESS ALL.
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