CASSOPOLIS - Jack J. Biek, of Cassopolis, Michigan, died peacefully Thursday, February 2, 2017, at age 93, surrounded by loving family members.

He was born May 7, 1923, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Joseph and Blanche (Steinman) Biek.

Jack graduated from Dowagiac Union High School and worked at Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, before enlisting. He was a World War II combat veteran who enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country for three years in the Pacific Theater on the Battleship Iowa.

On September 1, 1945, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty James. Jack and Betty raised their family in Cassopolis, Michigan, with a brief stay in Culver, Indiana. They were members of Holy Maternity Catholic Church in Dowagiac, and, more recently, Saint Ann Catholic Church in Cassopolis. Jack was a life member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2113 of Dowagiac.

Jack was an entrepreneur, inventor, and self-employed businessman. For many years, he owned and operated Biek Asphalt Paving Company, and was a wholesale minnow farmer. Along with nurturing his family and spirit, Jack's personal interests included enjoying birds, fish and the natural world and his late, beloved dog, Sasha. He was also quite a dancer. He had a lifelong obsession with Notre Dame football.

Jack will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife of over seventy-one years, Betty Biek; their children, Becky (Peter) McIntyre, Mary Biek, Jacky (Chris) Kelly, Anna Biek, Andrew Biek, Katie (Rick) Moore, Jon (Julie) Biek; daughters-in-law, Karen Wells and Loa Biek; twenty grandchildren, Peter B. (Heather) McIntyre, Colin (Moya) McIntyre, Jana (Anthony) DiDonato, Rob McIntyre, Melissa Biek, C.J. (Leslie) Biek, Marie Biek, Devin Biek (Stacy), Christina (John) Richey, Lisa Cutting, Jason (Allison) Biek, Will (Stephanie) Biek, J. Paul (Becca) Biek, Seth (Leah) Biek, Skyler (Alicia) Biek, Adam Biek (Rorri), Frankie (Geoff) Kelly Maxfield, Eric (Cindy) Moore, Kyle (Amy) Moore, Jessica Biek; thirty-one great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren; his sister, Joan Krystoff; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Charles B. Biek, Joseph Daniel Biek; and one sister, Mary Lou Yarak.

Family and friends will gather Sunday, February 5, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis. The Rosary will be recited Sunday at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, February 6, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. in Saint Ann Catholic Church, 421 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis, with Father Joseph McCormick concelebrating with Father Donald Potts, followed by Military Honors.

The family prefers contributions in Jack's name be made to Saint Ann Catholic Church, Post Office Box 247, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031; or to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, 222 North Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 100, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.

Published by Anchorage Daily News from Feb. 4 to Feb. 5, 2017.

Jack J Biek (1923)