John Kekich

KEKICH, John
Kalamazoo Passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2010 in Kalamazoo. John was born October 24, 1918 in Cleveland, OH. He graduated from East High School in Cleveland in 1936 and joined the Civil Conservation Corps serving in Pinedale, WY. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1943 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Afterwards, with WW II in progress, John tried to enlist in the Navy but was refused due to color blindness. He was accepted in the Army and served with the 104th Infantry Division, Regiment 414 as a medic and received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. In returning from the service, he attended Georgetown University, specializing in patent law, which led him to work for the US Patent Office in Washington, DC for 2 years. At this time he met and married his wife of 58 years, Frances Marie Costanza, on September 18, 1948. They moved to Kalamazoo in 1951 and for 32 years he was employed by the Upjohn Company as a Patent Attorney, eventually becoming the Director of Patent Law, retiring in 1983. He also received the Upjohn Award. When he was not involved in his children's lives, he was helping build our houses, landscaping, gardening and in his final years, caring for his wife. Dad was a father that a child would wish for-always encouraging, patient and with a quick sense of humor. John was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Frances in 2006; a son, Paul Michael Kekich in 1952; his mother, Mary Madich of Cleveland, OH; sisters, Mary Shaw, Martha Shay Ramsey and Helen Martin of Cleveland, OH; and his brother, Eli Shayatovich of Cleveland. John is survived by his daughters, Mary Ellen & James Thompson, of Lansing, Debra Ann Kekich of Denver, CO and a son, Daniel & Elizabeth Kekich of Fowlerville, MI. The world is less with his passing. Dad, you will be dearly missed. Until we meet again, Mary Ellen, Debra and Dan. A private family interment was held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. A Gathering to honor the life of John Kekich, will be held on Friday, June 4, 2010, beginning at 7:00 PM in the Community Room of St. Monica Catholic Church, 530 W. Kilgore Rd. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Arrangements were made by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. Please visit www.langelands.com for online obituary, directions, register book and condolences. 343-1508