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Jovan Savich, age 67 of Crown Point, (formerly of Pittsburgh, PA) passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 20, 2026. Jovan was an area resident for over 40 years. He was a member of St Elijah Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville; a former member of the Gary Sportsman Club; he was an SNF member since birth. He was an area funeral director for over 41 years serving families of Northwest Indiana. He was honored each and every time to serve those families in their time of need. Almost all of those families became very close personal friends of Jovan’s.
Jovan graduated from Baldwin High School in Whitehall (area of Pittsburgh) in 1976 and went on to Point Park University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in English and Journalism in 1980. In 1982 when he moved to the Midwest he decided to advance his education and graduated from Worshams School of Mortuary Science in 1985. He was a funeral director both in Illinois and Indiana. He and his partner and best friend, the late David Semplinski opened up their own funeral business in 1996. Jovan also took a job writing and covering high school sports for the Gary Post Tribune which is now owned by the Chicago Tribune.
Jovan loved to garden and do outside work around the house, when he was healthy. He was meticulous about his yard. Jovan was a huge Pittsburgh Sports fan. He never missed a football or baseball game, as a lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Pitt Panthers. His love and loyalty to Pittsburgh sports, especially the Steelers, rubbed off on his sons and wife. Jovan will always be remembered for his love for God, his mild manner, his calm ways, his love and pride for his sons and for his quick wit and infectious laugh. He was never one to argue, always to say “let it go”. He lived a humble life always focusing on what was best for his family. In sickness he was the best Tata to his boys. He struggled with his neurological illness for 30 years but never once complained. Even when the illness took his ability to walk away, he always said with a smile “I am ok, I am plugging along”. And although he couldn’t speak for the last two years, he would still sing the church hymns he learned early on from being a member of the choir of his church. He loved Tambura music and anything that revolved around sharing a cold beer with his amazing life-long friends. He loved to laugh with his friends and family.
He is preceded in death by his parents V. Rev. Milan Savich and Constance Savich (nee Vuckovich) and many aunts and uncles and his father-in-law Milan Gligic.
Jovan leaves behind his beloved wife of 34 years Mileva (nee Gligic); his two cherished and adored sons Milan and Stevan Savich who were the definite pride and joy in his life; his loving siblings Mileva (Mijo) Kostic, Marya (Ljubisa) Milicich, Natalie Savich, George (Maria) Savich; all of the entire Savich/Vuckovich families, mother in law Dusanka Gligic and the entire Gligic family; Jovan’s Baptismal Kuma Marian “Maca” Filler; the Jocovic and Ocokoljic Families; his best friend and Kum, Rade (Patti) Opacic and his God children, Mirce and Melina Opacic. Jovan shared his entire life with Kum Rade, there is a special bond there like no other; also special Kumovi Rajo and Lilly Veljovic and their children Alex and Kristina; Kumovi Raketic, Kumovi Michalski, Kumovi Balog, Kumovi Rastovic, and Kumovi Kovacevic as well as many other cousins, kumovi, godchildren, friends and family both here,and in Pittsburgh, PA and Serbia.
Special thank you to Erica Raisor and Melissa Gist, Jovan’s caregivers who loved and cared for him as if he were their family. They came to the house every day to make sure the family could get to work on time, to make sure Jovan was always well cared for. Their love and dedication to him was unmatched. They were his barber, his manicurist, they learned his favorite foods they are amazing individuals who went above and beyond nursing care and we were blessed to have them. Not only did they worry about Jovan, they worried about Mileva and the boys just as much. Mileva, Milan and Stevan are forever grateful to the two of you and will never forget how you two helped us keep Jovan in his home this entire time. Along with Erica and Melissa, we would like to thank the Savich family for their dedication and support to their brother, sister-in-law and nephews. As they say….there is nothing more important than family.
Visitation for Jovan will be held Saturday, January 24, 2026 at St Elijah Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 8700 Taft Street, Merrillville, IN from 9am to 11am with funeral services starting at 11am. V. Rev. Aleksandar Novakovic officiating. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery. May Jovan’s soul soar with the angels and his memory be eternal. Always loved, never forgotten. For further information please call Calumet Park Funeral Chapel 219-736-5840.
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Rest in a peace Jovan.Consodolences to family
Mileva, Milan, Steve & all of Jovans family,
Heaven definitely gained an angel! Our deepest sympathies are with each of you. Jovan’s legacy will shine through his boys!
May his memory be eternal.
So sorry for your loss! Many good times and memories with Jovan during our college years! Sam Kaye
+Jovan had only love and kindness in his heart for everyone. Many experienced his compassion in the burial of parents and loved ones, as his strong faith💖 I am truly sorry for the great loss to his entire family, Kumovi, and Friends! May his Memory be Eternal and the Kingdom of God his☦️
Please accept our deepest sympathies on the loss of Jovan. He and the Savich family always made us smile, be happy and feel loved. We ask that God bless you all in this most difficult time. May God have mercy on Jovan’s noble soul and may his memory be eternal!! Vjecnaja Pamjat!
May you rest in peace and may God bless you and your wonderful family, Jovan.
A brave and admirable “PK”, may he rest peacefully and be remembered for all the goodness he sowed. Condolences to the Savich and Gligich families.
And to his loving Mileva, you inspire us with your faith.
Vjenaja Pamjat.
Mileva, Milan and Stevan, please accept our deepest condolences. Jovan was a good friend, a wonderful husband and a great father. He was so kind, had a great sense of humor and the best smile. There are a few of us who will remember a story from my 30th birthday party, it will always make us smile and laugh. We will keep you all in our prayers and thoughts during this difficult time. Please reach out if there is anything we can do.
Jovan was wonderful soul. He will be missed by all of those that knew him.
Rest in peace, fly with angels . Memory Eternal.
I am sorry I won’t be able to say the last goodbye 😢
Sincere condolences to you Mileva, sons and entire family,
You will be in my thoughts and prayers 🙏🙏🙏
Dearest Savich Family.. Mileva, Milan,Stevan, Mileva, Marija, Tashi , George… it is with profound sadness that I express my deepest sympathy to each of you in the loss of Jovan .. as a childhood friend to him and his siblings I have such wonderful memories of our times at St George church on the South Side and also the parish home , as well as public grade school. Jovan was such a light to all … always that twinkle in his eyes , a great smile with a touch of mischievousness, kind , gentle, and thoughtful. He will be truly missed .
Please know that I am with all of you in heart and spirit as you proceed through this sorrowful time. Memory Eternal .
My Condolence’s to Mileva,Stevan,Milan and entire families Savich/ Gligic on their loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at such a difficult time.
Mileva and family,
I am very sorry for your loss, my parents (Nick and Anna Rnich) loved Jovan. He was so kind and helped families with the loss of their loved ones.
No more pain and suffering.
Memory Eternal!
Vera and Robert Russo
Very sorry to hear about your loss. You and your wonderful family are in my prayers/
Jovan was a great man it was a pleasure to know him.
My condolence to the family .May his Memory be Eternal!
Savich Family,
Our deepest condolences on the pasing of your husband and father, Jovan.
He was a very kind and gentle man, who was always a pleasure to talk to, through out our years of friendship, May God grant him eternal life and memory eternal.
So sorry for your loss 🙏🙏🙏
Dear Mileva, Milan and Stevan,
Jon and I want to express our deepest sympathy. We know you will miss your beloved father and much loved husband everyday. But you also know that his spirit is with our Lord, whose love is great and healing. Our hearts are with you at this time. May Jovan’s memory be eternal. Much Love Always.
Mileva a family, we are so sorry for the loss of dear Jovan. He was so kind to our family when you all were neighbors and through our time of loss. May God bless you all as he blessed you with the gift of the wonderful kind soul of Jovan. Memory Eternal☦️
Rest In Peace Jovan
On behalf of the Kovljenic Family we would like to express our deepest condolences to Mileva, Milan and Stevan as well as the entire Savich and Gligic families as well as kumovi, and friends. Our prayers and love are with your family during this difficult time. May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all give you comfort and strength and His name be praised forever. +Jovan has left us with wonderful memories of his kindness and devotion he showed us with all of his presence, advice and his stories. Please know that we are with you in support and love. Wishing you peace to bring you comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts. Vecnaja Pamjat Bog nek mu Dusu prosti, Neka Svevisnji podari rajsko naselje – Familiji iskreno saucesce. Sending You Our Love, Momcilo, Vojka, Mirjana, and Predrag Kovljenic
I am deeply troubled and sad by the passing of my friend Jovan (John). My sincere condolences to Mileva and the entire Savich family. May God Rest His beautiful soul and grant John eternal peace as he enters our Father’s Heavenly Kingdom. Vjecnaja Pamjat. Amin.
My Man!!!!!
Let me share a metaphor of our cosmic journey with your friends. Imagine,,,,,
Your father Rev. Milan Savich (God) serving divinely, and two lil alter boys sneaking a chug of altar wine from a giant bottle of Mogan David stored under the curtains of the service table. Me ( the red headed devil himself) tempting Jovan ( his Son ) only to be foiled by fate as the wine was now vinegar.
And now as testimony from all who have known you share in the recognition of Christ in you. You may rest with the saints . Job well done. When we meet in heaven you can tell me how the wine became sour.
Tears and Joy .
Love,
Leppy
My sincere and heartfelt condolences to Mileva and his son’s. May God grant him eternal rest and bless his soul! Memory Eternal!
Laka mu zemlja, RIP Jovan, he helped my family with every member passing and we thank him for that. Condolences to Mileva and the boys, Brasovan family
My dear Mileva, I just heard the horrible news of Jovan’s passing from my friend, Alex Malich. I say horrible selfishly. It’s hard for me to believe the big guy won’t be with us anymore.
I’ll change that to good, maybe even wonderful news as I heard he passed away on Sveti Jovan… his name day, the saint who will probably bear him up to Heaven, where he will be reunited not only with his dearest relatives, but also all those lives he helped in the past when he was healthy. He was beloved by so many people, both professionally and as a great Serb, Steeler fan, etc.
I can just imagine his Aunt Helen Karlo welcoming him. She loved him so dearly. She ALWYS told me about her Jovan. “They are all so wonderful, but there’s no one like my Jovan.” Always!
I cried when Alex told me, but I’m resigned now to the Glory that lies ahead for him. No more pain, except for missing you and the boys. He dearly loved you and you did so much for him. Thank you from all of us, your unwavering love, loyalty and support were unimaginable to those who aren’t Serbian. I’m so proud of all of you.
Memory eternal dear FB friend Jovan! You will be sorely missed. Vjecnaja Pamjat.
Our deepest sympathies to the Savich family . May Jovan’s memory be eternal .🙏🏻☦️💜 Guy & Darlene Defebo
Dearest Mileva, Marija, Tashi, George and your families, I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your amazing brother Jovan. Please know I am keeping all of you in my thoughts, prayers, and close in my heart. ❤️
To Mileva, Milan, and Steven, who I have never met, you have my very deepest sympathy.
Dearest Mileva….. Alex and I are So Sorry to hear of Jovan’s passing….We’ve always continued to keep you in our prayers. Each and every time I needed to reach out to you re: My own Mother’s passing…You were always there for us!! Even when you were just getting off work at the hospital, and getting Jovan ready for his bath…you still made time to speak with me and get me through the difficult time we were having, after losing MoM. Words cannot even express how Deeply Sorry to hear of Jovan’s passing. May God Bless you, Milan, and Stevan during this difficult time… Alex and I are keeping you in our prayers, Always…Vjecnaja Pamjat.. Memory Eternal. Rest in Peace, Jovan…and No Longer have anymore pain….
Mileva, you have my condolences. I am so sorry to learn of Jovan’s passing. My parents Mile & Diana along with my brothers Michael & Nicolas also send their sympathies. I remember Jovan always having a big smile, being kind to all and one who loved & adored his family. My heart goes out to you, Milan, Stevan & the entire Savich / Gligic family. Memory Eternal. Rest in peace Jovan.
So sorry for your loss. Our most sincere condolence. Memory eternal