JONESVILLE, Mich. – John Jerome Sholly, 74, Jonesville, Mich., passed away April 9, 2015. He was born Sept. 8, 1940, in Hammond. On June 6, 1964, he married Jennie J. Shaw, who survives. He graduated from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Mich., with a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts and engineering and in 1972 from Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, with a master’s degree in divinity. He was a 1983 winner of the Carnegie Hero award for diving into the Des Moines River to rescue a 75-year-old drowning man. He pastored churches in Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa and Michigan. In his 74 years, he was a high school industrial arts teacher, volunteer fireman, boys home house parent and the owner of a computer business. He is survived by two daughters, Patti J. Taylor (and spouse Eric) and Jeannie J. Sholly, both of Warsaw; six grandchildren: Nicole Whitaker (and spouse Jason), Crystal Bradford (and spouse Seth), Alyssa Brumbaugh (and spouse Bryan); Jamison, Jamie and Jared Taylor; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death and now joyfully reunited with his son, Ralph John “Arjay” Sholly. Arrangements are pending.
