John Luketich

John “Luke” J. Luketich, 91, fortified with the sacraments of Holy Mother Church, passed away Monday, October 27, 2014, at 5:45 pm at the Mother of Good Counsel Home in St. Louis, MO.He was born in Roxana, IL, on November 14, 1922, the son of the late Mike M. and Dora M. (Dugan) Luketich.He married Mary Louise Schleeper on November 15, 1965 at St. Bernard’s in Wood River, IL.  She preceded him in death on October 21, 2003.John attended St. Bernard’s Grade School in Wood River and Wood River High School; he also attended Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO.  He went to work at the Shell Research Lab in Roxana and took early retirement in 1975. He then purchased farm land and built and became owner and operator of St. Catherine’s Golf Course in Edwardsville from 1973 until retiring in 2006.  He was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Wood River through the 1970s, then a member of  St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville until 2006, and enjoyed his final years as a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Edwardsville Council. He enjoyed tennis, golfing, bowling and playing pinochle in his younger days and, later in life, looked forward to weekend “pilgrimages” with the family to Notre Dame, IN, where he enjoyed Notre Dame Football; he also was a die-hard SLU Basketball and Chicago Cubs fan. His greatest joy was being around his family, visiting with his nieces and nephews, and going shopping with his much-loved grandson. He is survived by a daughter and her spouse, Carolyn and Joel Simansky of Alton and a son, Dan Luketich, of Chicago; one grandson, Benjamin Michael Simansky; a sister-in-law, Barbara (Shields) Luketich of Mesa, AZ; and many friends.In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister Catherine Luketich and his brother Donald Luketich.Visitation will be from 4 to 7:30 pm Friday, October 31, 2014 at Staten-Fine Funeral Home in Alton with recitation of the Rosary at 4 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 am, Saturday November 1, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton with Fr. Jim Walther, OMV, as celebrant.Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Alton, IL.  Funeral luncheon provided by St. Mary’s parishioners at St. Mary’s Parish Center, 1015 Milton Rd., Alton (former St. Matthew’s Church).Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or School and or Masses.Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.staten-fine.com.

Obit Provided By:
Staten, Fine & Burke Funeral Home