John Yohannan

John Yohannan, 83, of La Grande, died March 14 in La Grande. Services will be held in California at a later date.

John was born Aug. 24, 1926, to Nancy (Malick) and Samuel Yohannan in Chicago, Ill. He grew up in Chicago and later moved to California, where he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. He met his future wife, Nellie, at a picnic, and they were married June 25, 1960, in San Francisco.

John lived for many years in the Bay Area of California and then in Modesto, Calif. More recently he moved to

La Grande to be closer to his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

John began work early in life, selling peanuts as a youth at Wrigley Field in Chicago. After college he was an accountant and auditor for the California State Board of Equalization, mostly in San Francisco and Modesto.

John was an aficionado of jazz and big band music. He enjoyed rooting for his favorite sports teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs and the University of California Golden Bears. He took great pleasure in sharing a glass of wine in the warm company of friends and family, who appreciated his good humor and fun-loving spirit.

Survivors include his wife, Nellie Yohannan of Modesto, Calif.; son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Denise Yohannan of La Grande; siblings and their spouses, Dorothy Clark of Turlock, Calif., Julie and Brad Sleeper of Turlock, Calif., and Lorraine and Kenneth Harold of Pleasant Hill, Calif.; two grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, a brother, two sisters and his parents.

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