John William Sagorski

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of John William Sagorski, age 95, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 23, 2025, at Commonwealth Senior Living North. John was a loving husband, father, Dzia Dzia, brother, uncle, and a good friend to all who met him. John was born on August 12, 1930, in Sand Lake, MI, to Stanley and Helen (Bober) Sagorski. He was the oldest of 12 children. John grew up working hard next to his brother, Jim, on a farm in Sand Lake. He graduated from Cedar Springs High School and Davenport College, where he received his associate degree. Soon after graduating, John enlisted in the United States Air Force, along with his brother, Jim. He also attended the University of Oklahoma while serving in the Air Force. His time abroad was spent in Newfoundland as a Staff Sergeant. His free time there was spent as a bartender at the Officers’ Club, where he served drinks to Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar Bradley, to name a few. John also enjoyed riding along on supply flights on Sunday mornings so he could see the beautiful wilderness. After four years in the service, John worked as a traveling accountant throughout the Midwest. He settled in Des Moines, IA, where he was the Accountant and Plant Manager for Interstate Bakery. In 1959, John met the love of his life, Barbara Jane Kaleta. They married in 1960 and lived in Des Moines, IA, Bismark, ND, and Grand Rapids. They had two children, Robert and Eleanore. John loved spending time with family at home and at the cottage he built on Middle Lake. He was famous for his roast beef dinners, Christmas meatballs, and anything he could put on the grill! You could always find him at the Fulton Street Farmers Market getting gladiolus for Barb, Eleanore, Brenda, Lindsay, and Renae. John enjoyed visiting his grandchildren at CMU and MSU, where he loved going to football and basketball games, or just walking around campus. He also was so proud to watch his grandchildren play sports and attend their school events. His grandchildren’s friends all loved him and called him “Their Dzaiz”! He was a member of St. James Catholic Church. John is survived by his wife, Barbara, son Robert (Brenda) Sagorski, son-in-law John Flake; grandchildren Matthew (Brooke) Sagorski, Lindsay (Devon) Munsell, Renae (Matthew) Cook, and Dustin (Elizabeth) Flake; great-grandchildren Samuel, Vivian, and Cecilia; brothers Jim, Stan (Pat), and Father Pete; sisters Mary Ann Dragoo and Marnie (Karl) Kiefer; sisters-in-law Carolyn Ward, Shirley, Barbara, Kay Rae, and Cathie Sagorski; nephews Don and Dennis Kurlyowicz and many other nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews who will fondly remember him. John is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Eleanore Flake, brothers Don, Joseph, Ed, George, and Frank, sister JoAnn Robinson, and brothers-in-law Melvin Ward and Loren Dragoo. Cremation has taken place, and interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum. A memorial service will be held at Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Rd NW Walker, MI, on Monday October 6 at 11:00 am, where his family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service.

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John William Sagorski

August 12, 1930 - September 23, 2025