John A. Kukucka, 80, WWII Veteran

He was born November 2, 1921 in Cleveland, Ohio grew up in the Avon area and has been a resident of the Wakeman area since 1968.

He was graduate of Avon High School and earned a degree in Business Administration from Case Western University. He was an inspector for Ridge Tool in Elyria, retiring in 1968. He was a veteran of the US Army during WWII serving in India and the Aleutian Islands. He received a Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star.

He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Vermilion. He was a family man and enjoyed golfing, music and watching the Cleveland Browns and Indians.

Survivors include a son, Edward Kukucka of Florence Twp., daughters, Arlene Post of Norwalk, Karen Johnson of Lodi and Louise Jackson of Wakeman; sisters, Florence Hooven of Fort Wayne, IN Maragaret Kleeby of Bend, OR and Alice Klink of Wellington; brothers, William Cook of Lakewood and James Kukucka of Spokane, WA; 4 grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Clarabelle (nee Thome) in 1998, parents Adam and Anna (nee Donchek) Kukucka and brothers Albert and Adam Kukucka.

Friends may call 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio. Military honors will be conducted by the Vermilion Veteran's Council at 7 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service will be held at 7:30.

Prayers will be said at the funeral home on Thursday at 11 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 731 Exchange St, Vermilion. Internment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery.

Memorial contibutions may be made to New Life Hospice, 5255 N. Abbe Rd, Elyria, Ohio 44035 or to the Alzheimer's Foundation, 12200 Fairhill Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44120 or to the Alternative Care of Norwalk, 128 W. Main Street, Norwalk, Ohio 44857.