John Jay Lukich, age 89, of Cleveland, Ohio, departed on his final mission on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at the Century Oak Care Center in Middleburg Heights, Ohio following complications of respiratory failure.

He was born December 5, 1921 in Linndale (Cleveland), Ohio to Christina (nee Glado) and Peter Lukich. He attended the Edison Vocational School in Cleveland, graduating in 1941. From June 1941 to August 1942 John worked as a machinist at the Warner Swasey Co. in Cleveland. In August 1942, John entered the United States Army at Camp Perry, Ohio and served during World War II as a member of Company C of the 329th Engineering Combat Battalion as a Canoneer in the Aleutian Islands, serving through November 1945, achieving the rank of TEC5, and departing his Army service in San Luis Obispo, California. He received the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, the American Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He was one proud U.S. Army veteran! Following his discharge from active duty Army service, John worked for 33 years as a tool inspector at the Cleveland Twist Drill Co.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years Ellen L. Lukich (nee Ankrum), to whom he was married on April 30, 1945; his children Ralph J. Lukich (Anita) of Brook Park, Ohio, Richard A. Lukich (Lisa) of Independence, Ohio, and Rebecca L. Keeney (Danny) of Grafton, Ohio; his grandchildren Melissa Ziss (Ben), Shelyn Hunley (Scott), Ralph M. Lukich (Jackie), Tanya Karabanovs, Kira Karabanovs, Natasha Kerrick (John), Jillian Lukich, Garrick Lukich (Kelly Wasserman), Kristin Reffert (Justin), and Kelly Keeney (Lamont Peal); and 14 great-grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Christina Lukich, and his brother, George Goya.

The Lukich family will receive friends at the BUSCH FUNERAL HOME, 4334 Pearl Road, Cleveland, Ohio, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Friday, October 14, 2011. Private interment with United States Army honors will be held at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio.

Although flowers are appreciated, the family suggests memorial contributions be forwarded to Homes For Our Troops, 6 Main Street, Taunton, Massachusetts 02780.

BUSCH FUNERAL and CREMATORY SERVICES
216-741-7700
www.buschfuneral.com