John W. Sachjen, of Edwardsburg

Published 10:11 am Thursday, January 3, 2019

Feb. 18, 1934 — Dec. 24, 2018

John Wilkie Sachjen, 84, of Edwardsburg, formerly of Decatur, died peacefully Christmas Eve in his residence in the comfort of his family’s presence.

He was born Sunday, Feb. 18, 1934, in the family home in Marshall, Michigan, the youngest of 12 children of Carl and Vera Sachjen Sr. He married Dorothy Janice Beyers Sept. 10, 1955, in Kalamazoo. She survives.

John served in the Michigan National Guard during the Korean Conflict. John and his family lived in many towns throughout Michigan. He worked in construction until he survived after falling from a building. John finally retired in 2007 as a long-haul truck driver after 60 years on the road.

John will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy Sachjen of Edwardsburg; four daughters, Rhonda Jean (Timothy) Oletti, of Cary, North Carolina, Delores (Patrick) Hacker, of Decatur, Laurie (Edward) Childs, of Dowagiac, Kim Sachjen, of Michigan; one son, Timothy (Dawn) Sachjen, of Edwardsburg; 26 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; numerous great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Joseph Sachjen; a granddaughter, Cami Hemminger; eight sisters, Florence Garriott, Emily McMurtie, Clara Wilham, Lucille Allen, Isabella Duckham, Edith Mae Fritz, Irene Hardenburg, Doris Yoder; and three brothers, Carl Sachjen Jr., Harold Sachjen, and Wilkie Sachjen.

Family and friends will gather from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway St., Cassopolis.

Mr. Sachjen will be laid to rest in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Cassopolis.

The family prefers contributions in John’s memory be made to Cass County Cancer Service, Post Office Box 676, Edwardsburg, Michigan 49112.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.