John Francis Kolb died Friday, July 29, 2011, at River Region Medical Center. He was 85.

Mr. Kolb was a lifelong resident of Vicksburg. He retired from W.E.S. after 34 years of service. He was the shop foreman of the electrical shop and temperature control at his retirement. Mr. Kolb was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, the St. Michael and St. Paul Catholic church choirs and a veteran of the U.S. Army and Merchant Marines.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Karl Kolb and Theresee K. Kolb; two brothers, BR. Alfred Kolb and Dr. Charles Kolb; and a sister, Gertrude Kolb.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Kolb of Vicksburg; two sons, Tony Kolb (Kathy) of Vicksburg, John F. Kolb Jr. (Donna) of North Augusta, S.C.; three daughters, Karla Beth Harjes of Memphis, Theresa Anna Williamson (Paul) of Sunset, La., and Susan Elizabeth Kolb Ditto of Vicksburg; 11 grandchildren, Tiffany Knight, Lindsey Fulton, Jeniffer Harjes, Katherine Boone, Josh Warner, Jessica Pennington, Karl Kolb, Philip Kolb, Karlee Kolb and Ashley and Erica Ditto; five great-grandchildren; and Sister Margurite Nicholas.

Funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Monday at St. Michael Catholic Church in Vicksburg. Burial will be at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 tonight followed by K of C Prayers and Christian wake service.

Pallbearers will be Billy Brown, Dr. Don Rathburn, Chuck Kolb, Karl Kolb, Philip Kolb, Hoyt Hogan, Ricky Pennington and Josh Warner. Honorary pallbearers will be Philip Jones, Joe Gerache, Sam Lusco, Charles Kette, Richard Cowart, Joe Gay, Bobby Amborn, Joe Loviza and members of Shoney’s breakfast club.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Aloysius High and St. Francis Xavier Elementary Catholic schools, 1900 Grove St., Vicksburg, MS 39183; Manresa Retreat Home, P.O. Box 59, Convent, LA 70723; or Brothers of the Sacred Heart, 4600 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122.

Please sign our online register at Frank J. Fisher Funeral Home.