Howard Rennie Nahikian

Howard Rennie Nahikian, 73, of Coloma, passed away at Lakeland Regional Medical Center – St. Joseph, on Thursday, October 18, 2012 surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 PM on Monday, October 22, 2012 at St. John’s Catholic Church, 600 Columbus, Benton Harbor; officiated by Father William Jacobs, Jr. Friends may call from 4:30 until 7:00 PM Sunday, October 21 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph; with a Rosary at 7:00 PM. Memorials may be made to Catholic Community Center or the Readiness Center. Friends wishing to send a condolence may do so at the guest book at www.starks-menchinger.com. Howard was born in Allegan, Michigan on February 23, 1939 to Dickran & Elizabeth (Rennie) Nahikian. He graduated from Western Michigan University and also attended Grad School at the University of Michigan. He worked at Whirlpool for over 30 years before retiring. On June 1, 1996 he married Janet Zilkowski at Hagar Township Beach. Howard was president of Golden Eagles, bookkeeper for Berrien Springs Library, treasurer of Berrien Kennel Club and life member of the Twin Cities Camera Club. He restarted the Eaton Park baseball organization and was the director of the Eaton Park Invitational, which still exists today. He was also president of the St. Joseph Junior Achievement and was instrumental in inspiring many young people to succeed in business today. He is survived by his wife Janet of Coloma; a son Dickran Nahikian of Chicago, IL; a daughter Elizabeth (David) Mabry of St. Joseph; two granddaughters Sarah and Dana; two brothers Dickran (Jean) Nahikian of Westminster Co. and James (Dee) Nahikian of Evart, MI. He was preceded in death by a brother William Nahikian.