Michael D. DeJanovich, 79

Michael D. DeJanovich was born June 19, 1937 in Kellogg, Idaho to Cleo and Michael DeJanovich. He died unexpectedly April 18, 2017 at home surrounded by his family. Mike spent his entire childhood in the Silver Valley making lifelong friends.

After high school, he joined the Air Force and married his high school sweetheart, Winnie Jaeger, in 1957. They spent the next 22 years in the Air Force raising four kids on military bases in Montana, Japan, Arizona, California, Texas and Washington. He spent time on Iwo Jima, and served in the Vietnam war. He was a medic for most of his Air Force career, and graduated from Physician Assistant school in 1975. He was very proud of his military service, and was awarded a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in a combat zone. He finally retired from the Air Force in 1977. He then started his career at Group Health where he was a beloved provider for 22 years. He retired for good in 1999. After retirement, he and Winnie traveled the world going to places like Africa, Europe, Mexico, Canada and the entire United States. Oftentimes, trips ended up detouring through Las Vegas or Reno.

Mike was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. There was nothing he liked more than spending time with his family, telling stories and catching up with his grandchildren. He loved Gonzaga basketball and WSU football. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 60 years and his children, Teri Silcock, Dan (Janice), Jeff and Janie DeJanovich, his grandchildren Jenifer, Steve (Molly) and Nick Silcock, Matthew (Jill), Rachel, Janae and Kendra DeJanovich, great grandchildren Winn Silcock and Avery DeJanovich and his sisters Sandy Ball and Chris Fisher. We certainly can’t leave out his sweet dogs Bubba and Sassy. He was preceded in death by his brother Dale. We take comfort knowing he is in the hands of our Lord. Services and military honors will be held at Assumption Parish, 3624 W. Indian Trail Road, on April 29th at noon. For those wishing to make a charitable contribution in honor of Mike, please consider donating to The Spokane Humane Society or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.