Jan Allen DeKoninck

Friendly, loving, and an ornery prankster, with a very relaxed disposition are just a few ways to describe Jan DeKoninck.  Several events that occurred in 1955 include Rock & Roll music popularity increasing, which featured Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and the Comets, Chuck Berry and The Platters,  "The Mickey Mouse Club" debut on ABC, the Broadway musical "Peter Pan" was broadcast live on television, Disneyland opened in California along with Ray Kroc starting the McDonald's fast food restaurant chain, and on January 8, 1955, Arthur and Edna (Mattes) DeKoninck welcomed the birth of Jan Allen DeKoninck in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and was one of five children.

As a child, Jan enjoyed go-cart riding, brother and sister time, spending time on his bicycle and started growing his love of music!  In his teens, he was geared more towards sports and playing or watching basketball and football.

Jan attended Columbia City High School and graduated with the Class of 1973. Known for his hard work and dedication to his career, he was a location manager for the Kroger Corporation for over 20 years until his retirement.

Jan was so thrilled to become a father to 3 wonderful daughters that can recall fun memories of being young girls listening to music on in the background riding their tricycles and big wheels around the basement playing red light green light.

He enjoyed a variety of musical genres with many memories stemming around classic rock and roll and country music, along with singing karaoke and sharing his voice.

Jan was tickled to then later become a grandpa to 9 grandchildren he was so proud.

He had such enthusiasm for music, playing guitar, and also passing that love of music on to his grandchildren.

Jan was an outdoors kind of guy and spent plenty of time out on the deck, but he was also funny and had a way of making you laugh with his behavior or words even if you didn’t want to.

He enjoyed various trips with his siblings, particularly gambling trips, traveling, tinkering, and sharing his memories and stories with his family he loved so much.

With such immense love for his family, Jan will be dearly missed and always remembered in the hearts of those that loved and knew him so well.

Jan Allen DeKoninck, age 66, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 6:29 pm on Thursday April 29, 2021 at his residence.

Survivors include his daughters Jenna (Mike) Driver of Columbia City, Tara (Andy) Green of Churubusco, and Kari (Bret) Steward of Fort Wayne; 9 grandchildren; sisters Linda Clauss of Fort Wayne and Jackie Martin of Columbia City; brothers Terry DeKoninck of Columbia City and Kent (Amanda) DeKoninck of Greenwood.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services for Jan will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday May 3, 2021 at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, with calling two hours prior to service.

Memorial contributions in memory of Jan may be made to Ronald McDonald House.

Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send the family online condolences.