Obituary of John Edward Raven

John E. Raven, 71, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly, at his home, while doing what he loved, taking care of his family, on Thursday, November 8, 2018. 

John was born on February 22, 1947, to the late Leigh and Pauline (Mitch) Raven in Niles.  After graduating from Buchanan High School in 1965, John went on to join the United States Navy.  After returning home he began his career as a Tool and Die Designer.  He was employed at Clark Equipment for 14 years before he became an instructor for Acme Institute of Technology, then went on to work at Modineer for the last 28 years 

On June 15, 1985, John wed his one true love and his best friend, Colleen Payne Dillenbeck, at a ceremony in Buchanan. Together they raised a family of six children. 

John was a hard worker and was always the person who set the bar.  He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, motorcycle and boat rides, watching the news, going on walks, and bringing diet coke home for his wife every single day. Everyone who knew John Raven knew his heart was his family, and that he was a man after God’s own heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leigh and Pauline Raven.

John is survived by his wife of 33 years, Colleen Raven; children, Michael (Molly) Raven of Niles, Jason (Kelly) Dillenbeck of Elkhart, Miranda (Michael Smith) Daniel of Granger, Jamie (John) Coulston of Niles, Tad (Abby) Raven of Niles, and Joanna (Jeff) Pugh of Niles; grandchildren, Stacy, Nicholas, Jade, Lily, Sadie, Paisley, Alexa, Aiden, Camille,  Edward, Elijah, Deacon, Cooper,  Ryker, Paxton, Ava, Delanee, Grace, Lena, Emmy, Finley, Eloise, Carson, Brady, and Owen; siblings, Fran (Lee) Avers of Nashville, and Vickie (Mike) Kitchell of Buchanan; and many extended family members and close friends.

A time of visitation will be Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Funeral services will take place Thursday, November 15, 2018, at Summit Church in Niles beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to his family, in care of his wife Colleen.