Memorial
John B. Zaruba, 75, of Marion, passed away on Sunday, November 24, 2019. A visitation will be held on Friday, November 29, 2019 from 4:15 PM to 7 PM, with a vigil service beginning at 4 PM, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. A private inurnment will be held a later date.
John was born on February 10, 1944 to John M. and Mary Monaghan Zaruba in Cedar Rapids. John was united in marriage to Carolyn Benischek on July 24, 1965. Together they shared 50 years of marriage. He attended Chicago Tech Trade School and completed a sheet metal workers apprenticeship. He was initiated into Sheet Metal Workers Local #263 in January of 1969. He worked as a Master Sheet Metal Worker for many years. John taught OSHA classes at Kirkwood and received a 25 year continuous good standing award. He retired in February of 2004. As a retirement job he enjoyed many years with the Cedar Rapids Country Club.
He was an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Marion; where he was a lector and part of a song group for many years. John enjoyed spending time with his family, playing cards, fishing, traveling, playing and coaching baseball and could fix anything and everything. He was above all selflessly giving, helping and loving to all he met. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his children, David (Theresa) Zaruba and Ann (Michael) Dittmar, Steven (Young) Zaruba, and Charles (Michelle) Zaruba; ten grandchildren, Michael, Caryn, Alisha, Alexa, Claire, Brandon (Jenna), Austin, Sara, Katie, Evy; one great-grandchild, Hunter; and five step-grandchildren, Michael II, Andrew, Bill, Collette, Jeremy; and six step-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are siblings, Mary (Ken) Welke-Willits of Claremore, OK; Helen Simpson of Winthrop; and Paul Zaruba of Bellevue.
John was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, George.
Memorial donations may be directed to the family.