Jan D. Mirijanian

 With heavy hearts, we regretfully announce the death of Jan Deran Mirijanian, who passed on April 14, 2026. Jan Mirijanian was born on July 5, 1945, in El Centro, California. Jan was the loving son of John Deran Mirijanian and Grace “Boyajian” Mirijanian-Surabian, and stepfather Harry Surabian. All of whom predeceased him. Jan married his first love, Darlene J. Mirijanian, and enjoyed 25 years together until her passing. He went on to meet and ultimately marry his second wife, Eileen Mirijanian, and spent 8 years together until she predeceased him. In later years, he was fortunate to once again find love with Marj Smith, who was a devoted companion through his terminal illness. Jan is survived by his beloved sister, Patricia Mirijanian-Egavian, and her husband, Gregory Egavian, their children, Lauren and Eric, and their spouses, Julian and Janna, and a great-uncle to Sage and Nova Grace. Jan leaves behind his daughter, Kimberly Lucine Gider, and her husband, Andy Gider; his granddaughter, Gabriella Anjelic Gider-Schank, her husband, Dante James Schank; and their newborn son, Dante James Schank Jr. Jan is beloved by many cousins, aunts, uncles, family, and friends.

In 1963, Jan graduated from Northeast High School located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1967, Jan entered and served in the United States Army, achieving the rank of sergeant E5 in Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Army, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After serving in Oklahoma, he was shipped out to Darmstadt, Germany, and served in the U.S. Army, received an Honorable Discharge, and returned home to Philadelphia in August of 1969. After returning from overseas, Jan continued his education on the GI Bill at Temple University and graduated with his BSBA degree in 1978. Following that, Jan began his career by dedicating 35 years to the United States

Government in various positions, including Contracts and Procurement Officer, and by training individuals in small business economics at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Jan’s love for God and Christian values, as well as his love for family and friends, was unparalleled. He was a devout Christian who loved his Armenian Church and fellow Armenians. Jan loved spending time laughing and telling stories. He loved to spend his summers with his family at the Jersey Shore and Cape Cod. Jan loved going to the movie theater with his granddaughter Gabriella and always showed an interest in her personal and professional goals in nursing school and beyond. He enjoyed rooting for his hometown teams, especially the Eagles, and reminiscing about his younger years with his two best friends, Tommy and Frankie, who stood by him through thick and thin. Jan was a “foodie”; he loved all kinds of good food and never met a Tasty Cake he didn’t like. And in every story, daily spiritual message, and memory, Jan’s greatest lesson remains: love deeply, live faithfully, and cherish every moment.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 18th, from 9:30am to 10:30am at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, located at 101 Ashmead Road in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania. The wake will be followed by a church service from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. We will then proceed together to the cemetery, and afterward, a luncheon will be held in the church hall. Family is requesting in lieu of flowers to be sent to Holy Trinity Armenian Church.

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