1937
John
2011
John Allen Ruska
September 5, 1937 — June 10, 2011
Kiva
John "Allen" Ruska, age 73, of E609 King Road Kiva, MI, died unexpectedly June 10, 2011. He was born September 5, 1937 to the late John and Jennie (Bartol) Ruuska of Chatham. He graduated from Eben High School in 1955. He then joined the Air Force in March of 1956, where he spent a year stationed in Turkey. Once home, he married Rosalie "Sally" Rivord of Munising on December 21, 1957. Allen was stationed in Patrick Air Force Base in Florida and lived there for the remaining four years for his time in service. They moved back home to the Upper Peninsula in 1961 where he worked at the Marquette State Prison for 3 1/2 years while attending Northern Michigan University. Allen graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Science; he later went back and earned his Master's Degree in 1981. He worked for the State of Michigan in the Department of Social Services for 35 years and retired July 16th 1993. Allen spent his retirement with his family and playing with his many "toys."
He enjoyed spending time outdoors, which included fishing, hunting, and riding his ATVs. Allen also enjoyed riding the motorcycles he had owned throughout the years. He liked to read and work on crossword puzzles and had a passion for airplanes. Allen always loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren.
He is survived and greatly missed by his wife of 53 years - Rosalie "Sally" Ruska of Kiva; his son -Mark (Susan) Ruska of Freeport, ME; his daughter - Cheryl (Todd) Beyer of Menominee, MI; his sister - Nancy (James) Fitzpatrick of Waterford, MI; grandchildren Lacey (Jacob VandeWiele) Biermaker, Josh (Melissa McConnell) Biermaker, and Aaron "Roni" Beyer, as well as several nieces and nephews. Allen was preceded in death by his parents John and Jennie (Bartol) Ruuska, his sister Beverly (Dennis) Maki and his brother Michael Ruuska.
Allen's visitation will be on Wednesday, June 15, 2011from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising with services beginning at 2:00 p.m. The American Legion Honor Guard and Alger County Veterans Council will conduct military honors followed by Pastor Paul Kelto conducting the memorial service.
John "Allen" Ruska, age 73, of E609 King Road Kiva, MI, died unexpectedly June 10, 2011. He was born September 5, 1937 to the late John and Jennie (Bartol) Ruuska of Chatham. He graduated from Eben High School in 1955. He then joined the Air Force in March of 1956, where he spent a year stationed in Turkey. Once home, he married Rosalie "Sally" Rivord of Munising on December 21, 1957. Allen was stationed in Patrick Air Force Base in Florida and lived there for the remaining four years for his time in service. They moved back home to the Upper Peninsula in 1961 where he worked at the Marquette State Prison for 3 1/2 years while attending Northern Michigan University. Allen graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Science; he later went back and earned his Master's Degree in 1981. He worked for the State of Michigan in the Department of Social Services for 35 years and retired July 16th 1993. Allen spent his retirement with his family and playing with his many "toys."
He enjoyed spending time outdoors, which included fishing, hunting, and riding his ATVs. Allen also enjoyed riding the motorcycles he had owned throughout the years. He liked to read and work on crossword puzzles and had a passion for airplanes. Allen always loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren.
He is survived and greatly missed by his wife of 53 years - Rosalie "Sally" Ruska of Kiva; his son -Mark (Susan) Ruska of Freeport, ME; his daughter - Cheryl (Todd) Beyer of Menominee, MI; his sister - Nancy (James) Fitzpatrick of Waterford, MI; grandchildren Lacey (Jacob VandeWiele) Biermaker, Josh (Melissa McConnell) Biermaker, and Aaron "Roni" Beyer, as well as several nieces and nephews. Allen was preceded in death by his parents John and Jennie (Bartol) Ruuska, his sister Beverly (Dennis) Maki and his brother Michael Ruuska.
Allen's visitation will be on Wednesday, June 15, 2011from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising with services beginning at 2:00 p.m. The American Legion Honor Guard and Alger County Veterans Council will conduct military honors followed by Pastor Paul Kelto conducting the memorial service.
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