Donald Jack Hohenstein

All who knew Donald Jack Hohenstein would agree that he was truly extraordinary. He was a man of honor and unwavering convictions who believed in putting the needs of others ahead of his own. Jack was blessed to share the majority of his life with his true love, and together they witnessed their family tree blossom to include the children and grandchildren he adored. A devout Catholic, he equally embraced both the peaks and valleys throughout his entire lifes journey. Deeply loved, Jack will be forever missed.

Although the 1930s were predominantly trying days as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression, Robert O. and Elizabeth (Schadt) Hohenstein were able to shift their focus to an exciting time in their lives as they announced the birth of the baby boy they named Donald Jack on Friday, June 24, 1932. He was joined in his family by his three older siblings, Robert, Paul, and Betty, and he was later joined in the family by Howard. Sadly, Jacks mother died after suffering a miscarriage when he was just three years old. His father was born and raised in Germany so he knew no English. Jack and his siblings also didnt know much English until his father later remarried Freida Rohrer who not only helped raised them, but helped teach them all the English language.

From the time he was just a young boy Jack was so extraordinary. His father was a hard working farmer who also built homes, and by the age of 10 Jack was helping his father while also becoming a great carpenter himself. He attended local schools, but shortly after starting in at Elmhurst High School in Ft. Wayne, Jack left school to help his father build homes. Jack later joined the Air Force during the Korean Conflict, serving from March 18, 1952, until being discharged on March 17, 1956, at Ft. Campbell.

Not to be forgotten while he was overseas was his deepening love with his sweetheart, Roseann L. Harber. He had known her since she was about 10, but it wasnt until she was in high school that Jack fell in love with her. He wrote to her every day while serving as a firefighter on the base at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea. While in the military he also earned his GED and took instructions to later receive his first communion on Christmas Eve in 1954, which was an overwhelming joy for Roseann. Jack married his true love on October 8, 1955, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ft. Wayne with a reception held in a tent at her parents home. They relocated to Tennessee together while Jack finished his time in the military.

Once Jack was a civilian once again, they returned to Ft. Wayne. As a wedding gift, they received a piece of property by the family farm on the south edge of Ft. Wayne at that time. They were the first property being built in the new development and were given the opportunity to name the street. With his German heritage, he named the street Hystone, which is a translation for Hohenstein. Since finding a job was difficult, Roseann worked while Jack worked building their home. One year later with their home complete, he took a job at Mobile Aerial Towers. He worked building cherry pickers for over 25 years there. After the company closed their Ft. Wayne location, Jack worked at Custom Craft, later becoming ICON. There, he built custom sets and exhibits for trade shows and at the local Lincoln Museum and Science Central, coming up with the design and bringing them to fruition. In 1997, Jack retired.

When Jack wasnt at work, he treasured his time with his family. He and Roseann were blessed with the births of two children, Julie and Mark. They did a bit of vacationing as a family, including going on a free time share promotional trip to Lake Tansi in Tennessee. After that, most trips were limited to only for three or four days at a time, however, the bulk of their time was spent at a cottage. Jack found the perfect place on Tri-Lakes, north of Columbia City in 1967. He remodeled after purchasing it, but would end up with something that was almost twice as big and adding a garage to make it the familys new home after retiring. While at the lake, Jack loved spending time fishing as well as taking family out on his boat.

Jack had been diagnosed with COPD. Since being connected to an oxygen machine limited him some, he focused on becoming a great cook and baker. Through diligent exercise at the gym, he lost weight and was able to use a portable oxygen machine and later used no oxygen machine at all during his daily activities! Jacks breathing success was also attributed to singing in the choir at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church in Columbia City where he had been a faithful member. Jack enjoyed his time at church and also worked with groups like St. Vincent De Paul Society and Christ Renews, his Parish, and helped out with St. Pauls funeral dinners.

Jack remained active in so many ways. He could often be found out fishing, and while he knew how to host an amazing fish fry he was also known to send his friends and neighbors their favorites so they could enjoy his catch, too. It became a tradition that he hosted the Hohenstein family for a fish fry and in celebration of the Christmas holiday. A social couple, Jack and Roseann enjoyed meeting with their family club that met once a month for lunch at a restaurant with a gathering after and the occasional poker match at a members house. When it was their turn to host, Jack would of course have a fish fry. He and his wife did some traveling including a trip they took to Hawaii via a cross-country train trip from Chicago to California and a cruise to Hawaii from there. They also took their family to North Carolina, where they all piled into a Yukon SUV. Jack enjoyed visits from his cousin, Fritz, from Germany, and he and Roseann once visited Fritz and his family in Germany. Jack loved being a grandfather and was there to support his grandchildren in as much as he could. He liked having dogs around throughout his life, including visits from his childrens dogs. To relax when not fishing, Jack enjoyed watching sports, even though he did not have a particular team as his favorite.

In everything he did, Donald Jack Hohenstein brought the world around him to life. He was often quiet, but still fun-loving and generous beyond compare with a zest for life that was truly contagious. Jack was devout in his Catholic faith, and his faith was the compass he used to direct his steps. Life was not without times of trial for him, but his strength, courage, and determination never wavered. Life will never be the same without Jack here, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps.

Donald Jack Hohenstein, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Friday, October 28, 2016. Jacks family includes his loving wife of 61 years, Roseann Hohenstein; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Barb BJ Hohenstein, of Tri-Lakes; daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Paul Voirol, of Auburn; and three grandchildren, Christa Voirol, John Voirol and Donald Rosenbaum. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Freida (Rohrer) Hohenstein; infant son, Daniel Joseph Hohenstein; brothers, Howard, Paul, and Robert Hohenstein; and sister, Betty Aschliman.

Visitation is 2:30-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, November 1, 2016, with a Rosary service starting at 2 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 S. Line St, Columbia City with visitation one hour prior. Father Gary Sigler will officiate. Entombment will be in the Catholic Cemetery of Fort Wayne. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Vincent De Pauls Food Pantry or to Masses in his memory. To read Jacks life story or to send family condolences, visit www.demoneygrimes.com .