John Petrusha, 84, of Libby
<p>John Richard Petrusha</p>
John Richard Petrusha was born June 16, 1930, in Libby to Michael Matthew Petrusha and Elizabeth Marie Rayome Petrusha. He died in Eureka, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, at the age of 84 surrounded by his family.
He had four sisters and three brothers. He married Rose Marie Petrusha on Dec. 28, 1957, in Haskell, Okla. They raised five children in Oklahoma, moving to California in 1978 and raising their family together until her death on Aug. 26, 1994.
John worked in a Zonolite mine, a mill and drove a logging truck in the mountains of Montana as a young man. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He recently completed an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., with his son Chuck, and it was one of the highlights of his life.
After serving his country he went to school and became an engineer. He worked at Flint Steele, McDonald Douglas and Riley Stoker Southwest before starting his own construction company.
In 1979 John moved his family west to Eureka and purchased an alarm company. He retired in 1994, and two of his sons now carry on the business.
He is survived by his wife Patricia Ann Petrusha; children Cynthia Marie Petrusha, Charles Edward Petrusha and wife Robyn, Michael Richard Petrusha and wife Angela, Johna Sue Petrusha Mullins and her husband David, and Timothy Victor Petrusha and his wife Kimberly. He is also survived by his sister Virginia Mae Becker, and his brother Michael Mathew Petrusha and his wife Marge.
He has 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Anna Michele Stivers; James E. Stivers, Jr.; Morgan Rose Petrusha; Connor John Petrusha; Logan Charles Petrusha; Haley Maree Tucker; Laurel Marie Mullins; Shannon Elizabeth Mullins; Christina Louise Mullins; Kendall Renee Petrusha; Nathan John Petrusha; Cole Edwin Petrusha; Tyler Drake Petrusha; Allyson Ayn Stivers; and Pyper Sue Stivers. He is also survived by his step-children Merle Pickrell and his wife Jamie, Les Pickrell, and Tracy Hart and her husband David. Step-grandchildren include Jesika Pickrell, Tyler Pickrell, Cason Pickrell, Vanessa and Isabella Pickrell, Brooke Culver, Emilee and Zach Hart.
He was preceded in death by his parents Mac and Betty; wife Rose Mari; brothers Darrell and Bob; sisters Barbara, Betty Anne and Corrine; and son John.
Visitation will be held Sept. 25 at Pierce Mortuary in Eureka, Calif.