Mr. Virgil Leroy Jana, 94, of Rochester, passed away at 1:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, 2015, at Life Care Center of Rochester.

On July 28, 1921, Virgil Leroy was born in Starke County the treasured son of Albert P. and Bertha I. Fear Jana. Growing up he shared his childhood with a sister, Pauline.  In 1941 he graduated from Edison  High School in East Gary .

Following high school Virgil worked in the Gary Steel Mills as an electrician.  Patriotism beckoned,  Virgil answered the call enlisting with the US ARMY just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

In Knox, Virgil and Ellen Roberts were married on April 20, 1946.  Together they shared more than 69 years of life’s adventures.  From their union came three wonderful children Beverly, Ronnie, and Wayne.  The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The same year, in 1946 the Jana’s initiated their career in agriculture.  For nearly seven decades Virgil oversaw the planting, maintenance and  the bountiful harvest.   Annually they planted corn, soybeans and wheat.  Livestock was another integral of their farming operation raising heifers,  dairy replacement calves and farrow to finish hog operation .   Passionate about life on the farm Virgil, continued to drive his John Deere 630, that he personally restored, as recent as the summer of 2015.  With a strong constitution he mowed his yard up until August.

As the patriarch of the Jana family, Grandpa Virgil was proud to oversee four generations.  With a great love for his family he enjoyed visits from the grandchildren, family celebrations and holiday fun.  Grandpa and Grandma Jana were always courtside or seated at the concerts rarely missing school and athletic activities of their grandchildren and now the great-grands.

Virgil will be lovingly remembered by his wife: Ellen; a daughter: Beverly J. Fish; two sons: Ronald L. (Virginia “Pinky”) Jana; and Wayne E. (Joanna) Jana, all of Rochester; seven grandchildren: Jack Price, Fort Wayne; Jennifer Price, Rochester; Lisa (Ted) Boyer, Edwardsburg; Laurie (Marshall) Jones, Brownsburg; Eric Jana, Chicago; Scott (fiancé Lauren Zawlocki) Jana, Toronto, Canada; and Kristen (Joe) Murphy, Rochester; six great-grandchildren: Austin Boyer; Lillian Jones; Carley Marie Hott; Leighton Jones; Lila Jones; Owen Rockwell Murphy; aunt: “Gert” Gertrude Lizak, Lake Station; special friends: Laura and Arnie Snipes; and Karen and Jim Bryant.

Preceding Virgil in death are his parents; a sister: Pauline Cowles; and son-in-law: Dr. William H. Fish.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Good Family Funeral Home. Services will begin at 1 p.m. Chaplain Jason See will officiate services. Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by the Fulton County Honor Guard and the US Army Honor Guard.