An Obituary for a Lost Father

John Sustacek was my wife's father. He died last week. He would have been 95 years old in December. He lived a full life and died in his sleep. I wrote his obituary, but they opted to use something else, so I'm offering it here.

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John Emil Sustacek, born on December 27, 1930, in Hutchinson, MN, was sent to his eternal home on Sep. 29, 2025, in Orange, CA. He was the beloved son of Emil and Hattie Sustacek.

John was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. His journey on this earth was one marked by love, compassion, and unwavering faith in God. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by him. We ask that you remember him not for the way his life ended, but for the way it was lived, and for the profound impact it had on the lives of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, and is survived by his loving wife, Anna, and his sister, Sharon Maresh. John leaves behind his six children and their spouses, Michelle (Martellotti) and Steve, Margo (Smith) and Stan, Maureen (LaLonde) and Steve, John, Jeff and Angie, and Mindy, and his 14 grandchildren, Lauren (Wright), Kyle Rogers, Holly Pittenridge, Brad Larson, David Smith, Jonathan Smith, Scott LaLonde, Mark LaLonde, Jacob, Joel, Jade, Julia, Deni (Rose), and Laine Biagi and his combined 15 great-grandchildren.

John was born in his family home and grew up on a dairy farm. He married Donna Howe in 1951 and soon after enlisted in the Army to serve in Korea. He returned in 1955. The couple had two children in Minnesota and moved to California in 1956. They lived in Santa Ana, CA, with their six children, then Orange, CA. He worked for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company for 35 years, including a three-year stint in Shanghai, China. After Donna passed in 2008, he met Anna and they married in 2020. Her love and care added years to his life.

John was a devout Catholic and best known for his perpetually cheerful attitude. Everyone who knew him enjoyed his company and his infectious laughter. His abiding love for family was displayed in print in the 600-page family genealogy he published, but is best remembered in the hearts of every one of his family as well as all who knew him.