John J. Davis, Sr., 92, died at 10:40 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester.
He was born July 21, 1916, in Philadelphia, Pa., the first of 12 children, to Clarence and Elise Springer Davis. On July 20, 1935, in Philadelphia, Pa., at the age of 19, he married Catherine Nicholls, who died Nov. 15, 1997.
He moved to Warsaw from Westmont, N.J., in September 2000. He lived his teenage years during the Great Depression. He spent his first 25 working years as the owner of his own business as a hand engraver of printing plates for corrugated boxes and greeting cards. He spent his remaining working years until retirement as a sales representative for Active Manufacturing, a graphic arts company.
He enjoyed gymnastics and model airplanes during his teenage years. During his retirement, his hobbies included photography, writing poetry and short stories, composing music, fishing and playing golf.
He was instrumental in starting the Camden County Christian Grammar School in New Jersey; played trumpet as part of a traveling gospel music brass trio; and served as both deacon and trustee of the Haddon Heights Baptist Church in New Jersey.
His lifelong passion was studying and teaching the Bible. He served as an adult teacher for more than 40 years at the Haddon Heights Baptist Church and attended Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are two sons, John J. (and spouse Carolyn) Davis and Robert P. Davis, both of Warsaw; a daughter-in-law, Laura Davis, Warsaw; a granddaughter, Deborah (and spouse John) Barr, Houston, Texas; two grandsons, Brian (and spouse Amy) Davis, Warsaw, and Kevin Davis, Orlando, Fla.; a sister, Elsie (and spouse Walter) Diem, Mt. Ephraim, N.J.; and two brothers, Warren (and spouse Bridget) Davis, Easton, Pa., and Thomas (and spouse Mary) Davis, Port Charlotte, Fla. He was preceded in death by a son, Arthur "Art" Davis, who died April 30, 2008, and eight brothers and sisters.
A private family service will be held. Burial will take place in Locustwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Cherry Hill, N.J.
Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, is in charge of the arrangements.
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Memorials to Grace College Art Department, c/o Grace College, 200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590.
