1919
John
2015
John Andrew Kracko Jr
June 25, 1919 — August 22, 2015
Poland - In the late morning hours of August 22, 2015, after 96 years of good and faithful service, John Andrew Kracko, Jr. of Poland, Ohio tendered his resignation and was honorably discharged from this earthly life. John was a gifted craftsman, an avid outdoorsman, and a handyman who could repair or build nearly anything. He was a man who lived life on his own terms, proudly served his country, loved his family and cherished his friends and neighbors. Still a remarkable physical specimen on the centennial side of his nineties, he possessed an iron grip, a quick wit, and an indomitable will. John wore an honest and disarming smile wherever he went and his affable nature charmed everyone he met. No one who ever met this gentleman was likely to soon forget the experience, and no one but a fool ever underestimated him.
During WWII, John was a military policeman and served his country with courage and honor in the European African Middle Eastern Theatre; a distinction he remained fiercely proud of for the remainder of his life. Following his military service, he worked in various Youngstown area steel mills until finally retiring from LTV Steel. But his proudest moment was the birth of his precious daughter Marcella in 1962, who would forevermore own a piece of his heart. John would later marry Anne Josephine Lutz (nee Maus) of Akron, in 1980, and "inherit" her three adult children. Anne and John together would spend many blissful evenings on the dance floor, and travel about in their RV with their puppy "Tally." As the years passed, the family grew, and John was never more content than when he was surrounded by boisterous children and the people he loved.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter, Marcella (Mark) Bell of Centennial, CO; two step-sons, Bradford Lutz of Ashland, Stephen Lutz of Munroe Falls; six grandchildren, Kelly (Don) Berringer of Akron, Amy Dervin of Massillon, Stacy (James) Platt of Lawrenceville, GA, Blaine Adams of Broadway, VA, Christopher (Joanna) Eckerdt and Justin (Melissa) Bell both of Aurora, CO; 6 great grandchildren; his sister, Katherine Brooker of Maine and niece Marcy (Bob) Romano of Hillsville, PA.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Anne J. Kracko; his parents, John Sr. and Mary Kracko; step-daughter, Kristina Dervin; sisters, Regina Shuluga, Helen Chizmar, Anna Nenidic Hostetter and Mary Pirlozzi; and step-daughter-in-law, Becky Lutz
Services will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 10am in the chapel at Poland Riverside Cemetery with Pastor Doug Walter officiating.
The Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home Poland Chapel is handling arrangements.
During WWII, John was a military policeman and served his country with courage and honor in the European African Middle Eastern Theatre; a distinction he remained fiercely proud of for the remainder of his life. Following his military service, he worked in various Youngstown area steel mills until finally retiring from LTV Steel. But his proudest moment was the birth of his precious daughter Marcella in 1962, who would forevermore own a piece of his heart. John would later marry Anne Josephine Lutz (nee Maus) of Akron, in 1980, and "inherit" her three adult children. Anne and John together would spend many blissful evenings on the dance floor, and travel about in their RV with their puppy "Tally." As the years passed, the family grew, and John was never more content than when he was surrounded by boisterous children and the people he loved.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter, Marcella (Mark) Bell of Centennial, CO; two step-sons, Bradford Lutz of Ashland, Stephen Lutz of Munroe Falls; six grandchildren, Kelly (Don) Berringer of Akron, Amy Dervin of Massillon, Stacy (James) Platt of Lawrenceville, GA, Blaine Adams of Broadway, VA, Christopher (Joanna) Eckerdt and Justin (Melissa) Bell both of Aurora, CO; 6 great grandchildren; his sister, Katherine Brooker of Maine and niece Marcy (Bob) Romano of Hillsville, PA.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Anne J. Kracko; his parents, John Sr. and Mary Kracko; step-daughter, Kristina Dervin; sisters, Regina Shuluga, Helen Chizmar, Anna Nenidic Hostetter and Mary Pirlozzi; and step-daughter-in-law, Becky Lutz
Services will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 10am in the chapel at Poland Riverside Cemetery with Pastor Doug Walter officiating.
The Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home Poland Chapel is handling arrangements.
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