Date of Death: October 12, 2025
Service Details
In accordance with his wishes, cremation will be conducted and no services are planned. He will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery.
Obituary Notice
Jan William Gave, 83, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Centrica Rose Arbor Place.
He was born March 10, 1942 in Three Rivers, the son of Earl A. and Mary C. (Boise) Gave.
Jan worked for 43 years as a marketing manager at Armstrong International. He was an avid bicyclist and enjoyed reading.
Remaining to cherish his memory is his son, Kevin Gave of Chicago.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his wife, Bette (McJury) Gave.
Additional Information
Donations in Jan’s memory may be directed to the Three Rivers Public Library. Envelopes are available at Hohner Funeral Home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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I first met Jan years ago at a fitness class at the HealthTrac. He recognized my last name as he worked for decades with my father in law at Armstrong.
His spunky nature made me laugh as he mostly did what he wanted during the class rather than following the instructor’s lead. He once told me he was just there to talk to people. 😊
We would always visit for a while when our paths crossed at Meijer. He would always call me “Buddy” and ask me how I’d been and how my father in law was. Our last chat was just a couple weeks ago. I will miss seeing his friendly face.
My sincere sympathy and prayers to his family and close friends.
Kevin — Thank you for writing more details about your Dad. It was interesting to learn more about him. I knew he collected fountain pens, but much of your information was new to me. I worked with Jan for many years in the Sales and Marketing Departments at Armstrong. He was always friendly and helpful and I enjoyed working with him. After I retired, I would often run into him at Meijer and occasionally at Menards. We would always stop and chat awhile and just catch up with each other. I will miss seeing him around town. You have my deepest sympathy at this time. Take care.
My memory of Jan begain in 1963, when he married my sister, Bette; and later announcing the arrival of
their son, Kevin in 1964. We enjoyed many occasions together with our family especially Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Jan always had a positive attitude and enjoyed talking to people. No doubt he will be dearly missed, but
we will have many, many memories to remember his legacy.
My heart goes out to you, Kevin, my dear Nephew.
For Those Looking for a Little More Information Than Dad Provided in His Obituary
Jan was born in Three Rivers, the only child of Earl and Mary (Boise) Gave on March 10, 1942. Growing up on Constantine Street, he graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1960. He attended Western Michigan University for several years and, after his marriage to Bette McJury in 1963 and birth of his son Kevin in 1964, eventually found time to attend some classes in the early years of Glen Oaks Community College. Employed first at the Three Rivers Rubber Company, Jan began his career at Armstrong Machine Works in 1964, working in accounting, sales, and finally the marketing departments. In 1967, he was among members of the National Guard who quelled the Detroit riots.
Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Jan was an active community member, serving on the Three Rivers Library Board, the Planning Commission as well as on the Community Credit Union board of directors. In addition to his career at Armstrong, he operated a tax preparation business and acted as an auction clerk for his friends Floyd and Martha Daughterty. He was also the Three Rivers sales representative for All-Secure Windows and Siding of Kalamazoo.
A voracious reader of New York Times bestsellers, Jan was a vigorous supporter of both the Three Rivers and the Nottawa Public Libraries with occasional forays to the Constantine Library as well, particularly as he was then able to combine library trips with his passion for biking, He made many bicycle expeditions, including a ride to Mackinac City and participation in the Hotter ‘N Hell 100 in Texas with his friend, Mr. Rick Wade. Some may also remember that he was an avid fountain pen collector as well, searching auctions and garage sales for forgotten examples. He also enjoyed ride-alongs with the Sheriff’s department for some years.
After retirement from Armstrong 2007, Jan continued with his reading and biking (having joined a group in Kalamazoo in later years) as well as his volunteer work for the Three Rivers Hospital. He could frequently be seen lunching in the hospital cafeteria (if it had something he liked!) and greeting acquaintances while visiting Meijer’s early in the morning.
Jan will be greatly missed not only by his son but also by the many people both in his neighborhood, including his friend Shelli, as well as by the many members of his former biking club (The “Gear Geezers”) and others from Kalamazoo who so kindly watched over him during his final days.
Hi Kevin. I’ve run in to your Dad several times over the years. He was always so kind to me. He was a a volunteer for the TR triathlon, so that was one of the 1st times I saw him. Hope you are doing well.
Angela Nadeau (Angela Baranoski)
Dear Kevin, so sorry for your loss. I have seen Carol a few times in recent years and you can’t see Carol without thinking of you too, since you were so close in school. I hope that you are doing well. Keep your chin up.
Hi, Kevin. Thank you so much for sharing this. Jan was a very dear friend of mine these last few years, and I will miss him. This brings back memories of many days of chatting over the books he had been reading.
He talked about you often and always wished the best for you. He always had different cards that you had sent him displayed on his piano. I’m so sorry for your loss.
We loved Jan and Betty so much. We will miss talking with our dear neighbor.
I have known Jan for over 50 years. I worked with him at Armstrong. When I moved to Texas in 1982, Jan would visit and we’d ride in bicycle events. He was a great friend, high energy and very intelligent. He will be missed.
Not only did I see Jan at the hospital, but he was a neighbor also. I will miss seeing him at work. My condolences to the family.
I’ll miss seeing Jan at Meijers very early on Monday mornings. He’d have his donut in his hand & people watch. We grew up in the same neighborhood, so I’ve known him since Kindergarten. You will be missed Jan, now you are at peace & with Bette. Your son is in my prayers.
Our friend and landlord for over 15 years. A joy to know and will be missed.. RIP our dear friend Jan 🧡 Hugs to all closest to him and Betty
My husband and I are saddened to hear of Jan’s passing. We began our friendship at the Three Rivers Health Trac and he “re-joined” the biking group “Gear Geezers” where we road weekly. He always greeted us “buddies” with a smile and would ask about what we were “up to”. He was missed this past summer and will continue to be missed. Rest in peace, Jan.
Very sorry to hear of Jan’s passing. As a fellow bicycle rider of our Gear Geezer group, it was always fun and enjoyable when Jan was part of the group! I will miss our conversations on the trails and his sense of humor.
Kevin sorry for your Dad’s passing I got to know him while he was in National Guard with my dad, spent countless hrs and days with my dad at Combat Support Co 246th Armor. Over the years when ever I seen him ay grocery store or anywhere about town he always said how it going Mak, and we’d talk for few til one of had to head out in our ventures. he will be missed by all.
Jan was a true professional who did a tremendous job in his long business career. He had a knack for building successful relationships with those he worked with — and he was extremely detailed. He had an infectious personality that resulted in positive friendships for all that knew him well. His legacy will live on through his family and friends. We had the honor of knowing Jan for over 30 years. Jan will not be forgotten.
Gear Geezers that rode bicyles with Jan for years will miss his ready smile and ever present greeting of “hey buddy how ya doing?” He made our lives more interesting and his kindness was contagious. Rest in peace Jan, you deserve it.
Jan was very interested in the City of Three Rivers Government. He would stop by my office to ask questions and give me his firm opinions, about what we were doing right and wrong! We would often end our conversations on a shared interest of “biking”. Rest in Peace Jan.
RIP Jan. I have known Jan since as long as I can remember. We were high school classmates. My condolences Kevin
Jan always greeted me with a huge smile on our Gear Geezers bicycle rides. We had several lovely chats about life stuff, simple things like “how to sell on e-Bay”. I always looked forward to seeing him.
It was always fun talking to Jan when he came to the Constantine Library, almost always pedalling in on his recumbent bike! Kidded him if he pulled off road to nap. Marveled he made it between TR and Constantine safely.
I will miss his morning hello as he came into the hospital for lunch. He may have only been a cousin by marriage, but still liked to talk. Kevin, you have my condolences.
About 10 years ago Jan joined our informal Kalamazoo biking group, the Gear Geezers. Jan was a strong and fast rider, but he always took time to lag back and greet those of us who were slower riders. He was a kind man who will be missed by the group. Rest in peace, Jan.
Dear Kevin,
I am so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I always enjoyed running into him at the store or Yoders. He will be missed by many people.
Your mom was my next door neighbor growing up. I will miss both of them.
Hugs,
Barb Bradford
I am saddened by Jan’s death. Jan and I started Kindergarten at Andrews School together. We were classmates in high school. Jan was a good man and will be missed.