John Testini
September 21st, 1924 - February 10th, 2025
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John's Obituary
100 years young, John W. Testini of Benton Harbor, MI passed away comfortably at home surrounded by his loving family on February 10, 2025.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 15 at 11:00 am at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI with Rev. Steve Dye officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 - 11:00 am. Burial to follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. To livestream John's Celebration, please visit the following YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=starks+chapel+a. Those wishing to sign John’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
John was born on September 21, 1924 in Iron River, MI to Emil and Agnes (Strand) Testini, John served in the US Navy in WWII as a Gunners Mate 2C, 1943 – 1946. When he returned to shore in California, in the good old USA, he met, moved to and married Helen Testini in LaPorte, IN on September 21, 1946. They then moved to Coloma, MI and built the family home on Dunham Ave in St. Joseph, MI, where John and Helen felt the call of loving children that reached beyond their call of duty. They adopted six children and served as foster parents for several children, providing good homes for them through the years. They had a passion for helping kids in trouble. John was called Poppa or Pops, by many of his children’s friends. He was also nicknamed Buck by those he worked with and that name was passed down through to the grandchildren’s friends. John and Helen were married for 67 wonderful years.
John is survived by four children, Linda (LaVon) Parrigin of St. Joseph, Gregory (Wendy) Mellblom of Lincoln, CA, Jean (Jim) Stanford of Millburg, MI, and Suzon Testini Pearson of Benton Harbor; 26 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren and growing; nephews, James (Marlene) Testini of Caspian, MI and Gary Testini of Iron River; and niece, Cathy Grant of Caspian.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen; children, Joy (Bill) Hoover and Johnny Testini; grandchildren, Debbi Stanford Aldama, and Rodney Stanford; parents, Emil and Agnes; siblings, Emil A. Testini, Kathleen Testini, and James Testini; and sister-in-law, Margaret (Dolly) Testini.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 15 at 11:00 am at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI with Rev. Steve Dye officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 - 11:00 am. Burial to follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. To livestream John's Celebration, please visit the following YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=starks+chapel+a. Those wishing to sign John’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
John was born on September 21, 1924 in Iron River, MI to Emil and Agnes (Strand) Testini, John served in the US Navy in WWII as a Gunners Mate 2C, 1943 – 1946. When he returned to shore in California, in the good old USA, he met, moved to and married Helen Testini in LaPorte, IN on September 21, 1946. They then moved to Coloma, MI and built the family home on Dunham Ave in St. Joseph, MI, where John and Helen felt the call of loving children that reached beyond their call of duty. They adopted six children and served as foster parents for several children, providing good homes for them through the years. They had a passion for helping kids in trouble. John was called Poppa or Pops, by many of his children’s friends. He was also nicknamed Buck by those he worked with and that name was passed down through to the grandchildren’s friends. John and Helen were married for 67 wonderful years.
John is survived by four children, Linda (LaVon) Parrigin of St. Joseph, Gregory (Wendy) Mellblom of Lincoln, CA, Jean (Jim) Stanford of Millburg, MI, and Suzon Testini Pearson of Benton Harbor; 26 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren and growing; nephews, James (Marlene) Testini of Caspian, MI and Gary Testini of Iron River; and niece, Cathy Grant of Caspian.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen; children, Joy (Bill) Hoover and Johnny Testini; grandchildren, Debbi Stanford Aldama, and Rodney Stanford; parents, Emil and Agnes; siblings, Emil A. Testini, Kathleen Testini, and James Testini; and sister-in-law, Margaret (Dolly) Testini.
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