John Ruzicka

Sir John J. Ruzicka of Springfield was born to James and Magdalene Ruzicka on March 11, 1923 on a small farm southeast of Bolivar, Missouri. He was united in holy matrimony on February 1, 1947, to Mary Frances Otradovec at St. Wenceslaus Church, Karlin, where he was also baptized and confirmed. He passed away on May 8, 2015.

He was preceded in death by his son Freddie and his son-in-law Dan Deeken. Also preceding him in death were his parents, his brothers, Alois, Bill, Frank, and Jim and sisters, Mary, Rosie and Tracy. He is survived by one son, Matthew, and his daughters, Cynthia, Judy and her husband Greg McManus, Suzy and her husband Steve Gray, Mary Ann and her husband Charlie Dahlgren.

Grandchildren include Rachel and husband Joe Keating, John Deeken and wife Corey, Jessica and husband Todd Balisle, Emily Gray, Erik Dahlgren and Scott Dahlgren. Great-grandchildren include Frances, Eugene, Dan and Marie Keating and Henry Deeken.

Also surviving is his sister, Irene Otradovec, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins.

John was a true hero. He was drafted into the Army on January 16, 1943. After a year’s training, he was sent to Liverpool, England. From there he was sent to France for the D Day invasion. After 11 days of fierce fighting, he was seriously wounded and sent back to the 74th General Hospital in England. After recuperating for three months, he was sent back to Belgium to regroup with his outfit. He was captured by the SS Troops in the Belgium Bulge and was held captive for 92 days. During that time he lost 92 pounds. He was liberated on April 2, 1945 by American troops. His children sent him flowers every year to commemorate that day.

He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star with four Bronze Star clusters and other medals. For his bravery in Normandy, he was knighted by France and given the Medal of Honor, the highest decoration in France. The Mayor of Springfield declared September 20, 2012, Sir John Ruzicka Day.

He retired from IHC after 32 years of service and belonged to the IAM union.

John loved to fish, garden and work. He was never idle. He could sharpen knives and fix almost anything. He sharpened knives for The Kitchen for 17 years.

He was a life member of the DAV and the Greater Ozarks Ex-POW Chapter. He was also a member of St. Agnes Cathedral Parish and loved to pray the rosary.

More than anything, he loved his wife, Mary Frances. They were married for 68 years.

Rosary service will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2015, followed by the visitation in St. Agnes Cathedral. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 14, 2015, in St. Agnes Cathedral by Celebrant Lewis Hejna. Burial will be in St. Wenceslaus Cemetery near Bolivar.

Services are under the direction of Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home