John Robert Popovich

He was born April 19, 1920 in Clinton, Indiana to his mother, Mary Helco and his father, John Popovich. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Charlie and Jack, and sisters Louise and Mary. His wife Marie Popovich (Lindlbauer) also preceded him in death, she passed suddenly of a heart condition in April 1990 while driving home from work. They were married on June 8, 1946 and spent 44 years together brfore she passed away. He is survived by 35 Nieces and Nephews on wife Marie’s side and several Nieces and Nephews on his family’s side with most of them residing in the Colorado Springs area. With John being such a kind man, and having lived in the home that he and Marie built 62 yrs ago, he is one of the staple residents on Lower Straits Lake in Commerce Twp., and has numerous neighbors that are also like his family.

John was a decorated member after having served in the Army Air Force and WWII. He served his country proudly in 46 combat missions mainly as a radio operator and gunner during his years of service. He was awarded the Legion of Honor by France in which he helped liberate, also a recipient of a Chevalier Legion of Honor. After serving his country he went to work for Ford Motor Company where he became the President of their Local Union #900. After retiring from Ford Motor, he went on to work for Real Estate One mainly in the Commerce Twp/Union Lake areas.

John exemplified the term “kindest man” to all that knew him. He always had kind words and actions towards everyone, down to his last days with the pain he endured and the meds he didn’t want to take, he still embraced the medical staff at each facility with kindness saying to his visitors that “he didn’t want to hurt them”, so he would follow the plan. As he began to perceive the greatness of his passing and embracing the anticipation of meeting with Marie again at Heaven’s Gate, he expressed to many how ready he was for his next journey. As he entered his 90’s he would always say “you just never know what the day will bring, each day is a new journey”, which coincided with the movie that played in his room during his passing stating the famous line “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get”. He wanted to see his 94th birthday so very much, and he did just that. He was a determined man and just about the time he would recluse to his bed at home from his lift chair and call it a night, that is the time in which John passed in his bed and left our world and is now on his “new journey“. He shed a final tear after hearing again from his niece on how much his birthday was enjoyed by all, and with that, he chose his final time of exit shortly thereafter. He has shown us throughout his entire life that he had it all under control and he loved every day, every visitor, every picnic he & Marie hosted at their wonderful house on the lake, he just loved life. He is by far the most gracious and kind man that we have had the privilege of calling our Uncle, our friend, our neighbor. As was his signature exit greeting on many phone calls, we will now remember and hear his words as his spirit has risen “I love you and God Bless you all.”

Services will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in White Lake, Michigan at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 with a luncheon immediately following. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the church until the time of memorial sevice.

Per John’s request, he asked in lieu of flowers, donations to be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. www.woundedwarriorproject.com