Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT – January 6, 1999

John Kolat

June 3, 1943 - Jan. 4, 1999

God saw you were getting tired and a cure was not to be.

So He put His arms around you and whispered ''Come with Me.''

With tear-filled eyes we watched you suffer and fade away.

Although we love you deeply, we could not make you stay.

Your golden heart stopped beating.

Your loving hands were put to rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us that

He only takes the best.

John ''Al'' Kolat, age 55, of Quince Road, South Bend, died at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 4, in Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, Ill.

He was born on June 3, 1943, in South Bend, and was a lifelong area resident. Mr. Kolat was a 1962 graduate of Central High School. He retired in 1983 from Torrington as a machinist.

On July 15, 1967, in South Bend, he married Bernadette Milliken, who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Amy (Scott) Conner of South Bend; a son, Shannon (Kym) Kolat of South Bend; five grandchildren, Kyle, Kasey, Kelly, Taylor and Kenedi, all of South Bend; and by a sister, Maryann (Ron) Songer of Mishawaka.

Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday in the St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Road, and one hour prior to services on Friday in the Cathedral. Services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday in the Christian Center Cathedral of Praise, with burial to follow in Highland Cemetery.