John Anthony Sala, 77, of Paw Paw, formerly of Justice, IL, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Monday, July 11, 2022, in Kalamazoo at Ascension Borgess Hospital, with his family by his side. He was born Dec. 20, 1944, in Chicago, the son of Edward Joseph Sala and Ann Margaret (Skrabel) Sala.
John was a loving and supportive husband and father. Being born and raised in Chicago, John attended Argo Community High School in Summit, IL. After high school, he married the love of his life, Janice Brandt, with whom he would share 55 wonderful years of marriage. He began employment at the steel factory Regal Tube, Inc., where he worked for 13 years, working his way up to foreman before deciding to leave city life for a move to Michigan. He worked in Gobles for Roy’s Home Center, setting up manufactured homes, H&R Wood Specialties as a CNC operator and woodworker and for Ralph Moyle, Inc., Mattawan, in the warehouse, where he picked orders.
As John began to have health concerns, he was able to find work at Charles Services, working as a security guard. The last few years he was able, he found joy sharing his love of food and cooking by working at Van Buren County Senior Services in the kitchen as a chef planning and preparing meals for the community seniors. John was a talented woodworker. He enjoyed making beautiful household products that included cabinets and tables. In 1984, he made a dining room table out of scrap pieces of teakwood that the family still enjoys in their kitchen.
John was very close with his family, including his brothers and parents. It was not uncommon for everyone to get together on Saturdays in the summer at his brother’s lake cottage in Gobles for fishing, swimming, dinner and playing cards or Yahtzee or just sitting around chewing the fat.
John accepted the Lord as his Savior and was a longtime, faithful and active member of Calvary Baptist Church, Paw Paw, where he would use his many talents to help in any way he could to be a servant for the Lord.
On Aug. 6, 1966, John was united in marriage to Janice Brandt Sala, who survives.
He is also survived by his daughter, Jaime (Bradley) Grahame of Lawton; two brothers, Edward T. (Carol Ann) Sala of Genoa City, WI, and Robert (Sharon) Sala of Manhattan, IL.
Cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends Saturday, July 30, from 11 a.m. to noon at Calvary Baptist Church, 36560 49th Ave., Paw Paw. A memorial service will follow at noon with Pastor Ron Kammeraad officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the mission fund at Calvary Baptist Church or to the church general fund.
Share a memory or sign the online tribute wall at: www.adamspawpaw.com