| Graduation Year | Class of 1976 |
| Date of Birth | Dec 03, 1958 |
| Date of Passing | Jan 20, 2026 |
| About | 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. |
