Henry John Demler Jr.

Henry “John” Demler, Jr., 76, of Berrien Springs, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, after a long illness. John was born on January 11, 1948, in Watervliet, Michigan, to Henry John Demler, Sr. and Shirley Pierson Demler.

John was a 1966 graduate of Lakeshore High School. He proudly served his country in the United States Army from November 1967 to November 1970 as a guided missile repairman where he was stationed in Korea. During his military career, he was awarded the National Defense Medal, Rifle Sharpshooter Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

In 1967, John met the love of his life, Virginia "Diann" Thompson, while they were both employed at Voice of Music Corporation (VM) in Benton Harbor, Michigan. They married on October 21, 1967, and shared a beautiful life together for 57 years.

After leaving the military, John worked at Gast Manufacturing for 30 years, retiring in 2010. He then worked for a year at Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency as a food commodities distributor. 

John was deeply involved in his community, managing and coaching numerous youth baseball and softball teams across Fairplain, Eaton Park, Eau Claire, and Berrien Springs. He also played fastpitch softball for Zion Evangelical Reformed Church for many years at Kiwanis Park in St. Joseph. A dedicated community leader, John served as a former board member of the Greater Berrien Springs Recreation Department. He was also a proud member of the Bridgman American Legion.

Family was at the heart of John’s life. He found great joy in watching his children and grandchildren participate in a variety of sports, always their biggest supporter on the sidelines. He was an avid Detroit Tigers and Lions fan and a Michigan fan. He was blessed to see the Tigers win 2 World Series titles. 

John is survived by his beloved wife, Diann; his children, John (Dawn) Demler of Buchanan, MI, Holly (Vince) Rago of Berrien Center, MI, and Todd (Louise) Demler of Niles, MI; his grandchildren, Kyle Rago and his fiancé Echo Fisher and her daughter, Vannah, Brant Rago, Jillian Demler, Justin Demler, Aubrie Demler, and Cali Demler; and his great-granddaughter expected in January. He is also survived by his siblings, Yvonne Demler Vidt of St. Joseph, MI, Denita Demler of Kalamazoo, MI, Ronda (Steve) Cogswell of St. Joseph, MI, and Bob (Connie) Demler of Baroda, MI and many nieces and nephews. 

John was preceded in death by his parents, Henry John Demler, Sr., and Shirley Pierson Demler.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 12 at 1:00 pm at Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 pm. Burial will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or The Wounded Warriors Project The Wounded Warriors Project.