John R. Jankovich

John Robert Jankovich, 88 of Stevens Point, died peacefully on Friday, February 25, under the care of Heartland Hospice. He was born on September 26, 1933 to the late John Jankovich and Mary Japuncich in Eagle River. He was the youngest of nine children and called Johnny by his siblings. Growing up on the family farm, he became a jack-of-all-trades and continued throughout his life to enjoy tinkering and solving problems with his own inventions. He attended local schools and graduated from Eagle River High School in 1951. Beginning college in Washington DC, he completed his studies and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from UWSP in 1984.

From 1957-1959 he served as Private First Class in the Second Armor Cab Division. At Boot Camp Training in Fort Leonard Maryland, he held the job of Company Clerk. He often reflected about getting the assignment because he took typing in high school. He then served overseas in Bamberg Germany, also as Company Clerk. Honorably discharged in 1959 he received the Good Conduct Medal.  He continued in the reserves until 1963.

John met the love of his life in Wausau while working for Wisconsin Public Service (WPS). Mutual friends introduced John to Carol L. Krieck who was also from Eagle River. They married on August 20, 1960 at St. Peter's Parish in Eagle River. They have a son David of Stevens Point.

John was a caring, sympathetic, kindhearted person. He was always there with a shoulder to lean on, willing to listen to others without judgement and ready to lend a hand to help anyone. Those who knew him will remember his favorite saying when something needed fixing was "I know a guy".  Of course, John always had a joke or story to share with family and friends and laughing about his adventures as he told them making the story more enjoyable to hear by those around him.

Being an avid deer hunter, he also loved fishing, and an occasional game of golf. John participated in local bowling, and horseshoe leagues and was a former member of the Steven's Point Lions Club. He was also a member of St. Joseph Parish, Stevens Point.  When not out in nature, he would be reading and learning about science, ecology and keeping up on current events. As a proud Croatian, he made every effort to learn as much as he could about his heritage.

Loving to travel, he and Carol went to Ireland, Venezuela, The Netherlands, West Indies, and Canada.  Travel also included visiting friends, and family throughout the states, spending time in Florida and being snowbirds in the Superstition Mountain Area of Arizona.

John held many jobs over his lifetime and loved to share stories with friends and family about his unique experiences.  His career path led him to work for WPS as a Supervisor. Starting in Eagle River and traveling to work in Minocqua and Wausau he then transferred to Green Bay and finally to Stevens Point where he retired in 1996.

His parents, six sisters, two brothers and his wife preceded him in death.

His extended family, friends, and neighbors will miss him deeply.  However, the influence left on those he knew will continue to make the world a better place and he will live on in each of us forever.

In lieu of flowers, you may designate memorials to St. Joseph's Catholic Church or Heartland Hospice Services.

A Mass of Christian Burial for John will be held at 11:00am on Friday March 4, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church 1709 Wyatt Ave. Stevens Point. Rev. Jeffrey Hennes will officiate. Burial with full honors will follow in the parish cemetery. Visitation on Friday from 10:30am until time of service at the church. Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the family. For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com