Mr. Virgil L. Jana, 94, of Rochester, passed away at 1:30 AM Monday, September 14, 2015 at Life Care Center of Rochester. On July 28, 1921, Virgil Leroy was born in Starke County the treasured son of Albert P. and Bertha I. Fear Jana. Growing up he shared his childhood with a sister, Pauline. In 1941 he graduated from Edison High School in East Gary . Following high school Virgil worked in the Gary Steel Mills as an electrician. Patriotism beckoned, Virgil answered the call enlisting with the US ARMY just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In Knox, Virgil and Ellen Roberts were married on April 20, 1946. Together they shared more than 69 years of life's adventures. From their union came three wonderful children Beverly, Ronnie, and Wayne. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The same year, in 1946 the Jana's initiated their career in agriculture. For nearly seven decades Virgil oversaw the planting, maintenance and the bountiful harvest. Annually they planted corn, soybeans and wheat. Livestock was another integral of their farming operation raising heifers, dairy replacement calves and farrow to finish hog operation . Passionate about life on the farm Virgil, continued to drive his John Deere 630, that he personally restored, as recent as the summer of 2015. With a strong constitution he mowed his yard up until August. As the patriarch of the Jana family, Grandpa Virgil was proud to oversee four generations. With a great love for his family he enjoyed visits from the grandchildren, family celebrations and holiday fun. Grandpa and Grandma Jana were always courtside or seated at the concerts rarely missing school and athletic activities of their grandchildren and now the great-grands. Left to cherish Virgil's memory are his wife Ellen; a daughter, Beverly J. Fish; two sons: Ronald L. Jana and wife Virginia "Pinky" and Wayne E. Jana and wife Joanna, all of Rochester; seven grandchildren: Jack Price of Fort Wayne, Jennifer Price of Rochester, Lisa Boyer and husband Ted of Edwardsburg, MI, Laurie Jones and husband Marshall of Brownsburg, Eric Jana of Chicago, IL, Scott Jana and fiancé Lauren Zawlocki of Toronto, Canada and Kristen Murphy and husband Joe of Rochester; six great grandchildren: Austin J. Boyer, Lillian Rose Jones, Carley Marie Hott, Leighton Ryan Jones, Lila Jane Jones, Owen Rockwell Murphy; Aunt " Gert" Gertrude Lizak of Lake Station; and special friends: Laura and Arnie Snipes, Karen and Jim Bryant Preceding Virgil in death are his parents, sister Pauline Cowles, and son-in-law Dr. William H. Fish. Chaplain Jason See will officiate services. Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by the Fulton County Honor Guard and the US Army Honor Guard.