John Mikel “Papou” Thanos of Chesterton, age 74, passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2008. John and his son, Mark, were swept away by flood waters in a rain-filled ditch near their home.

John was a 1952 graduate of Emerson High School. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1954 and served his country during the Korean Conflict. John was a former owner/operator of the B & M Tavern located at the corner of 5th and Connecticut Street in Gary. He was retired from the Merrillville Community School Corporation, where he served as head maintenance supervisor at Merrillville Intermediate School. John was a member of SS. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Order of AHEPA Chapter #78, and American Legion Post 170 in Chesterton. John was preceded in death by his wife, Nina, his parents, and brothers Nick and Angelo Thanos. He is joined in eternity by his son, Mark, with whom he resided in Chesterton.

John is survived by his daughter, Alexis (Terry) Thanos Coady of Valparaiso; grandsons John M. and Michael J. Thanos of Chesterton; daughter-in-law Victoria (late Mark) Thanos of Chesterton; sister Mary (late John) Bizanes of Crown Point; step-daughters Debbie (Mike) Panfil of Merrillville and Lynn Barfield of Henderson, KY; step-grandsons, Joshua Gaboian of New York and John Barfield; step-granddaughters Stacey Brooks, Lindsay Boskey, and Emily Brooks; five step-great-grandchildren; dearest friend Lamond Stevenson of Crown Point, and numerous loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral service, Rev. Theodore Poteres officiating, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 18 directly at SS Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 8000 Madison Street in Merrillville. Interment will follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Gary.

Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 1- 8 p.m. at Geisen Funeral Home, 7905 Broadway in Merrillville. Trisagion Service on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Please consider a memorial contribution to his grandsons’ education fund, care of Alexis Thanos Coady, 488 Meadow Wood Drive, Valparaiso, IN, 46385. May his blessed memory be eternal. To share an online condolence with the family, please visit www.geisenfuneral.com

Posted 9/17/2008