John was born on May 20, 1951, in Chicago, a son of the Rev. John and Virginia Seagle Ruzich. He married Resa J. Wine on Dec. 29, 1979, in Winchester, Ind. Dhe survives.

John was a certified public accountant and also worked in management. He previously worked at Sheller-Globe, British Tire & Rubber/United Technologies, Regal Plastics, Nelco and Dot Foods in Mount Sterling.

He was a member of the Pittsfield Church of the Nazarene.

John graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1969 and attended Michigan State University from 1969-1973, where he played offensive tackle and defensive end infootball. He later graduated from Olivet Nazarene University, where he also enjoyed coaching. John played semi-pro football for the Chicago Broncos and was an avid fan of Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Stealers. Upon returning to Pittsfield, John was a volunteer coach at Pittsfield High School for the football team. John was a true athlete and enjoyed snowmobiling, scuba diving and hunting. He dearly loved attending and watching his son, Chad, play football.

He is survived by his wife, Resa; a son, Chad and wife Brandi Ruzich of Pittsfield; his father and mother, the Rev. John and Virginia Ruzich of Pittsfield; a brother, Fred and wife Jennifer Ruzich of Pittsfield; a sister, Cindy and husband Paul Stevenson of Danville; a granddaughter, Tinley Ruzich; two sisters-in-law, Charlotte (Jim) Adcok of Noblesville, Ind., and Joyce (Larry) Burggraf of Dalton, Ohio; nieces, Stephanie and husband Jess Scott, Christy Wilson and Kim Knox; a nephew, Troy Adcock; 13 great-nieces; and 11 great-nephews.

John was preceded in death by a daughter, Lynnae Yvonne Ruzich in 1995, and in-laws, Lester and Neva Wine.

SERVICES: 11 a.m. Wednesday in Pittsfield Church of Nazarene, with the Rev. Jon Kroeze conducting. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Pittsfield.

A lunch for family and friends will be held following the interment at the Pittsfield Church of the Nazarene Fellowship Hall.

VISITATION: 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Pittsfield Church of the Nazarene.

MEMORIALS: Pittsfield Illini Hospital Oncology Department, Friends of the Olivet Nazarene University or the Lynnae Ruzich Memorial Scholarship Fund.

ARRANGEMENTS: Niebur Funeral Home, Pittsfield; [email protected].

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Jan. 16 to Jan. 18, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for John Ruzich

11 Entries

February 7, 2012

John and I attended Pittsfield High School together and I am so sad to hear to hear of his passing. He was a great guy and I offer my sympathy to you and your family. Vickie Stickman Bloch (Southlake, TX)

January 23, 2012

Love and prayers for the whole family during this time to loss. What a special blessing Johnnie was to so many of us. Fondly, Susan Strenzel Hummel

January 23, 2012

TO THE RUZICH FAMILY...
MY NAME IS KATHIE WOMICK WATKINS AND I AM FROM ANNA ILL. I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH JOHN HERE IN ANNA AND HAD NOT HEARD ABOUT HIS ILLNESS AND PASSING UNTIL TODAY. PLEASE KNOW I AM WITH ALL OF YOU IN MY PRAYERS AND WILL PASS THE NEWS ON TO OTHERS IN OUR CLASS THAT KNEW HIM.
AGAIN, THINKING OF YOU ALL IN PRAYER

Darla Harr

January 21, 2012

Resa, So sorry to hear of Johns passing. I heard awhile back he was ill and tried to contact Chad via Facebook but I guess it didn't work. Love and prayers are sent your way, May God comfort you in this difficult time. Love from your long distant cousin.

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Deanna Harter

January 19, 2012

Resa & Chad
Krista, Brian and I were so very sorry to learn of John's passing. We have lots of fond memories of being your neighbors in Union City (and the Toronado!). We will alll be praying for you and all the Ruzich family, knowing that God will comfort you in this most difficult time.

Deanna Harter, Krista Roderick, & Brian Claywell

Gary and Vicki Newsome

January 18, 2012

Chad, I'm very sorry to hear about your dad. As we talked ONU football on several occasions he always mentioned how proud he was of you. He loved you very much.

Randy Stocker

January 18, 2012

Resa and Chad--Very sorry to hear about John. He and I worked together at Dot Foods for several years. He will be missed.

Randy Stocker

Kimberly Hawley

January 18, 2012

Resa,
I am so sorry to hear about John passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers, I wish I could be with you. I would love to hear from you when you are up to it. All of my love and prayers.

January 17, 2012

Resa & Chad,
All of us at Henniges Automotive, formerly BTR in Keokuk were saddened to hear of your loss. May you rest in the assurance of God's promise of Grace.
Shawn McAfee

January 17, 2012

I am very sorry for your loss. I worked with John at BTR in 1994-95. Kathryn Peterson

Margaret Messer

January 17, 2012

Dear Resa, Rev. Ruzich, and Virginia,
Our prayers are with you as you experience life without John. We certainly do not anticipate the loss of a child and now all three of you are going through a valley with the earlier death of Lynnae and now John. You have many friends in the Mattoon First Church family who are praying for you. We have fond memories of the Ruzich years in Mattoon and will carry the memory of John as the strong, handsome, and healthy football star. May God provide comfort in this very difficult time. We love you.
John and Margaret Messer, John and Mona McHenry, Marla and Bill Taylor, Joe and Carol Techau and numerous others from Mattoon First/Real Life Community Church of the Nazarene.

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