John Harris Boal

John Harris Boal, 87, of Berrien Springs, was born into heaven on Friday, July 17, 2020, surrounded by loved ones. He had rested at his home on Park Avenue, enjoying visiting with friends and family. On Wednesday and Thursday, John played with his two great-grandchildren--great-grandson Jaxon Boal (Kaine and Kaitlyn Boal) and great-granddaughter Hailee Mae Davis (Amanda and Chad Davis). “They will be led by a child” (Isaiah 11:6) was his favorite Bible verse.

John and Shirley (Zech) Boal were married in the Zion Church of Christ in Baroda and grew a strong farming, hard-working family of three boys and two girls. John and Shirley were married for “55 years, three months, and five days” as quoted from John. They were very active members of the Rolling Shamrocks camping group, Michiana Two-Cylinder Club, and the Zion churches of Baroda and St. Joseph. John served in the Korean War and was an active member of the American Legion Post 85 for decades. Through these three groups, along with his church affiliations, many lifelong friendships were made and retained over the years.

In 2014 John married Sylvia (McLauchlin) Wallace at the Hinchman United Methodist Church. At the age of 81 his mind was set on beginning a new life honoring his past and moving forward to the future. He became a member (visiting) of the United Methodist Church of Berrien Springs, continuing until health restricted his attendance.

He became the last remaining grandfather of Matthew Geis, who was with him as he passed. John fully enjoyed his position of “bonus” father to James and Tamekia Wallace and Angela and Tim Geis. His “bonus” grandchildren, Matthew Geis and MacKenzie Wallace, had personal real relationships with him.

John was a grateful, encouraging man who wished to inspire the best in his family. As his second wife, Sylvia will always remain encircled by his love, humor, and support. He cast a circle and wanted deeply to draw them closer to understanding that Jesus always encourages our best self to shine through the years.

Survivors include his wife, Sylvia Wallace-Boal; his children: David Boal of Kramer, ND, Daniel Boal of Lawrence, Denise (David) Bowles of Athens, OH, Douglas (Kim) Boal of Buchanan, James (Tamekia) Wallace of Texas, Angela (Tim) Geis of Otsego; grandchildren: Joshua (Emily Haupt) Pugh, Justin Pugh, Amanda (Chad Davis) Pugh, Cody (Stephany) Boal, Kaine (Kaitlyn) Boal, Faith Biggs-Boal, MacKenzie Wallace, Matthew Geis; great-grandchildren: Evylen Boal, Vivyen Boal, Jaxon Boal, Hailee Mae Davis; and sisters: Barbara Russell of St. Joseph and Eileen Oles of Stevensville.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Deloris Boal; his first wife, Shirley Boal; and his daughter, Dawn Marie Boal who died in 1969 following a car accident.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, August 7, at Rose Hill Cemetery, with Pastor William Walters of the Berrien Springs United Methodist Church officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Berrien Springs American Legion Stover-Wagner Post 85. Online messages and memories may be shared at www.allredfuneralhome.com. . Memorials may be made to the Michiana Two-Cylinder Tractor Club’s Scholarship Fund, or to Berrien County Cancer Service.