Submitted by: Dan Rich
Dec. 24, 1908 - Nov. 30, 2007
South Bend Tribune 12/5/2007
MISHAWAKA - John A. Sergeant, 98, of Mishawaka, passed away
Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, in Valley Medical Center, Spokane Valley,
Washington. John was born Dec. 24, 1908, in Crumstown, the son of
the late Commeal and Lizzie (Wagner) Sergeant. He grew up
in Crumstown and in those younger days loved spending time in
Mishawaka. John attended South Bend Business College.
On February 10, 1934, he married Clara VanParis.
The couple made South Bend their home and, a few years after
Clara's death in 1989, John moved to Mishawaka. John was employed
for 42 years at the Bendix Corporation where he was a supervisor
in the Experimental Automotive Division. He was a former member
of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in South Bend and
currently belonged to Queen of Peace Catholic Church in
Mishawaka. John was an honorary lifetime member of the Santa
Maria Council #553 of the Knights of Columbus. He also belonged
to the Bendix Retirees and the Lakeville Conservation Club. He
was an avid fisherman and also enjoyed small game hunting and
playing cards with his family. John and his late wife, Clara,
loved to travel both in the U.S. and abroad, and they also
enjoyed dancing to Big Band-era music. John's family brought
great joy to his life.
Those surviving him include a son, Thomas
Sergeant, and his wife, Carol of Mishawaka; eight grandchildren,
Jayne, Julie, Joan, Jacqueline, John, Jeffrey, Ryan and Jason; 13
great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Besides his
wife and parents, John was also preceded in death by a son,
Richard Sergeant; his sister, Martha Zook; and by a
grandson, James Sergeant.
Friends may spend time with John's family on
Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. in Thallemer, Goethals & Wells
Funeral Home, 503 West Third, Mishawaka. Visitation will also be
Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. in Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 4508
Vistula Road, Mishawaka. Mass of Christian Burial will be
celebrated Friday at 11 a.m. in the church, with Rev. Daniel
Scheidt officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery,
South Bend. Contributions in John's memory may be made to the
American Heart Association. Assistance with memorials is
available at the funeral home.