John C. Pestka
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[John C. Pestka, 88, of Grayslake, Ill. and Newport Richie, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011 at the home of his daughter.
He was born March 30, 1923 in St. Louis, Mo. to Edward and Rose Pestka.
John was a master wood working craftsman. He had a passion for ballroom dancing and its music. They danced at many beautiful ballrooms. John was employed at the Millwork shops of Libertyville Lumber Co. and retired from Traditional Lumber in Gilmer, Ill. He loved wood working and all of its challenges.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II. While serving, he met the love of his life, Irene Hallas, at Ft. Sheridan Army Base in Highwood. After his discharge, they married on Oct. 5, 1946 in North Chicago. To their union Joan and Alan were born. John had a wonderful sense of humor and just loved to make everyone laugh and oh! his beloved St. Louis Cardinals.
He leaves to cherish his memory one daughter, Joan Pestka Allstrom, his companion of 15 years, Anne DeFranco; two sisters, Tootsie Kliethermes and Rose Marie Siebels and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Irene in 1994; one son, Alan in 1991 and his parents, Edward and Rose Pestka.
Friends visited the family on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 6401 Gages Lake Road, Gurnee, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. with entombment following at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville.
Donations may be made in John's memory to the charity of your choice.