Jon Christopher Sappanos

Jon Christopher Sappanos, 49, of Portage formerly of South Haven passed away Friday, May 10, 2019 in Lima, Ohio. He was born February 2, 1970 to Donald L. and Carolyn (Gillespie) Sappanos Sr. in South Haven.
 

Jon was a 1988 graduate of South Haven High School. He was an outstanding athlete competing in tennis, basketball, and track. He was highly recruited in both basketball and track. At South Haven High School, Jon won the State high jump championship. He set and still holds the South Haven high jump record. He then competed in the National High Jump championships and qualified for the Junior Olympics. Jon was All-State Honorable Mention in basketball his senior year.  He was inducted into South Haven High School's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. He attended Western Michigan University on a track scholarship where he participated in the Penn Relays and cleared the bar at  6'11-1/2" to take first place in his division. He still holds the second place all-time outdoor Bronco high jumping record. His time at WMU also consisted of an active social life, where he joined his beloved Fraternity, Sigma Chi.

After college, Jon followed in his father’s footsteps, beginning his career in real estate development. Simultaneously, he and his family founded Captain Lou’s, named after Jon himself, whose nickname was Captain Lou. Eventually, Jon and his then wife Ann Shell, founded and operated the Dyckman Restaurant in Paw Paw. Most recently, Jon was working with an automotive sales team that allowed him to travel the country.

Jon is survived by his children – Miya Sappanos and Mason Sappanos of St. Joseph, Michigan, Parents – Donald and Carolyn Sappanos Sr. of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Brother and best friend – Donald Sappanos Jr. of Portage, Michigan.  Aunts – Texanne (Ronald) Kreiger of Grand Junction, Michigan and Cindy (Richard) Johnson of LaPorte, Indiana.  Many cousins also survive.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 18, from 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven. Graveside services will take place following the visitation at 2:30 P.M. at Arlington Hill Cemetery in Bangor.  Family will also greet friends at the Beacon Club, 5830 Portage Road, Portage, MI 49002 beginning at 4:30 P.M. on Saturday.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made for the benefit of Jon's children to Honor Credit Union 8952 Old US 31, Berrien Springs, MI 49103 - c/o  Miya and Mason Sappanos.