John Patrick "Big John" Kilander, 78, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 8:00 am, Saturday, March 1, 2025, at his home. He was born on March 16, 1946, in Wabash, to Kenneth and Effie Mae (Lee) Kilander.
John was a US Navy veteran, serving during the Vietnam War. During his time in the Navy, he got to travel and explore the world, including all over Europe. He married Mary Beth Gotschall on April 3, 1992 in Frankton, Indiana. John worked and retired from Norkfolk & Southern Railroad Company after 36 years. John was a member of Wabash V.F.W. Post 286 and Wabash American Legion Post 15. He was a survivor of a double lung transplant. John enjoyed going to the YMCA, working in his yard, maintaining his house, going to the lake in the summertime as well as spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Beth Kilander of Wabash; children, Carina Travis and Scott Kilander, both of Warsaw; daughter-in-law, Traci (Kevin) Corey of Marion, Indiana; four grandchildren, Jonathan (Lacy) Saunders of Warsaw, Brian Saunders of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Quinton (Tyler) Dowling and Alivia Corey, both of Marion; four great-grandchildren, Owen Saunders, Liam Saunders, Carter Dowling, and Waymon Saunders; two sisters-in-law; Blanche Kilander of South Whitley, Indiana, and Doris Burwell of Franton, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Craig E. Dowling; two brothers, George Kilander and Michael Kilander; and his sister Brenda Zumbaugh.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 12:00-2:00 pm Saturday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are the Disabled American Veterans or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
The memorial guest book for John may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
John Patrick “Big John” Kilander
John Patrick "Big John" Kilander, 78, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 8:00 am, Saturday, March 1, 2025, at his home. He was born on March 16, 1946, in Wabash, to Kenneth and Effie Mae (Lee) Kilander.
John was a US Navy veteran, serving during the Vietnam War. During his time in the Navy, he got to travel and explore the world, including all over Europe. He married Mary Beth Gotschall on April 3, 1992 in Frankton, Indiana. John worked and retired from Norkfolk & Southern Railroad Company after 36 years. John was a member of Wabash V.F.W. Post 286 and Wabash American Legion Post 15. He was a survivor of a double lung transplant. John enjoyed going to the YMCA, working in his yard, maintaining his house, going to the lake in the summertime as well as spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Beth Kilander of Wabash; children, Carina Travis and Scott Kilander, both of Warsaw; daughter-in-law, Traci (Kevin) Corey of Marion, Indiana; four grandchildren, Jonathan (Lacy) Saunders of Warsaw, Brian Saunders of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Quinton (Tyler) Dowling and Alivia Corey, both of Marion; four great-grandchildren, Owen Saunders, Liam Saunders, Carter Dowling, and Waymon Saunders; two sisters-in-law; Blanche Kilander of South Whitley, Indiana, and Doris Burwell of Franton, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Craig E. Dowling; two brothers, George Kilander and Michael Kilander; and his sister Brenda Zumbaugh.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 12:00-2:00 pm Saturday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are the Disabled American Veterans or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
The memorial guest book for John may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.