John Charles Yanzanitis

Johns gentleness was inhis strenth...
This was no ordinary life...This was a life well lived and well loved...A life that will be deeply missed.

John Charles Yanz AKA: John Yanzanitis of Lithuanian decent was born in Chicago, Il July 12, 1924. To parents Stanley Yosanitis and Ona Mikilouskis who were fiercely proud of their American heritage and taught their children of five boys to be as proud. They taught them to speak only the English language outside of the home, all the while retaining their native language inside the Lithuanian community and the home...John went to Catholic schools during his formative years, later attending Lindbloom High School in Chicago.

The second World War caught John as well as his brothers and all served overseas...John serving in the Army and later in the Air Corp. He served his country in Manila, New Guinea and the Phillipines. SGT Yanzanitis was discharged in 1945...The love of planes from his experiences in WWII as well as trains which stemmed from his fathers occupation with the railroad gave him a keen sense of knowing exactly what was flying or what was whistleling..When he heard them...he was right., of course!

Having been raised ina family of boys, he learned very well how to cook and to take care of himself..his older brother Vichelped raise the boys, as they lost their father when John was 16 years old. John, the youngest of the boys respected his brothers even though he took a lot of ribbing..Even then..A gentle loving manbeing with them in Chicago or they coming to Denver was always a treat he looked forward too..Donna always said, she would never miss a wake or a wedding in Chicago...South side was fun. Donna recalls times when she and the brothers would enter an establishment in Chicago, most if the patrons would yell..."Duck for cover..The Yanz boys are in town"..They were all respected. However...a Yanz trait to this day...from his mothers guidance, John cooked very well indeed and had his own deli on the South Side of Chicago. He married and had four children, Mark, Jay, Stanlee and Karan... John moved to Evergreen, Colorado where he built a seven gable three story swiss chalet home...

John created monsters all of his life...Even though he never finished anything he ever started..He did start with great ideas..And much enthusiasm...Once again a single man, he went into the food and beverage business working with banker Nichols Brokerage; Mangan Brodkers; Colorado Food and Beverage, McKesson...and others.

His love for cooking preceeded his reputation as a builder of Sorts...Thus several eating establishments were his to enjoy in Chicago, Evergreen and Denver. Enjoy, he did ...The last restaurant he had was McLugans in Bear Valley..

John was a Knights of Columbus and a Mason..Thus prompting him to the think tank..Out came "The Masonites" needless to say.. That one did not take.. However he was a member in good standing in friendship Lodge #147.. El Jebel Shrine, Eastern Star and Amaranth.. He was also a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post #5061..

The greatest enjoyment he had was belonging to Southern Gables and Imagebearers class...This gentle man realized the true meaning of image bearers.

John enjoyed very much being in company of his inlaws ..Bob, Sue, Dan and Bev...A dinner engagement the six had every month..In fact the very last full, real meal that he ever ate was with them on July 10th before he went into the hospital. Then on his birthday July 12th, they operated.

He and Donna (Horvath) were married in 1970. He was the step-father to Nancy Heinricy, Jon Jax and Daniel Dirk Horvath and J.Jill Monroe..Much of his time was given to several youth groups to which Dirk and Jill belonged..

John looked forward to going to Illinois where his favorite nephews and nieces live throughout .. plus a sister-by-love, Helen Yanz and many friends. His first love however was White Castle Hamburgers...It did not matter whether he had dinner onthe plane, train or car..He managed to hit the White Castle as soon as he arrived.

His next first best love was his dog..a cocker spaniel.."Samisu".

John and Donnas favorite song is "Theres A Place For Us" and we know where that is...To God Be The GLORY.