Jeanette Kairis, 91
July 17, 1920 — Feb. 23, 2012

Jeanette A. “Jan” Kairis, 91, of Edwardsburg, died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, in her home.

She was born July 17, 1920, in Cleveland, Ohio to John and August Prochazka. She married Albert Carl Kairis on Sept. 18, 1943, in Columbus, Miss. He preceded her in death Nov. 21, 1984.

She was also preceded by three sisters, Mae Weisenberger, Lillian Nance and Mildred Yohe; and three brothers, George Prochazka, twins William and Robert Prochazka.

Mrs. Kairis and her husband, Al, established Kairis Real Estate in Edwardsburg, which they operated for more than 30 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 more than 20 years.  She also served on the Cass County Library Board for more than  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, Ind., Virginia (James) Crawford of Houston, Texas, Mary (David) Moody, Crawford, Neb.; 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, Frances Burrowes of Orlando, Fla.

Family and friends will gather on Sunday, Feb. 26, from 4 until 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 N. Broadway St., Cassopolis.

A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Feb . 27 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 24832 U.S. 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 Rd., Dowagiac, MI 49047 or Woodlands Mental Health Center, 960 M-60 East, Cassopolis, MI 49031.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel, Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Online condolences may be sent to wagnercares.com.