John J. Vidakovich

John J. (Kern) Vidakovich, age 92, went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 9, 2026. He was born August 12, 1933 in Pleasant Unity, and lived there his entire life. After graduating from Hurst High School, he served with the US Army in the Korean War and was honorably discharged. His career spanned several decades as an overhead crane operator at Teledyne Vasco, and previously as a skilled mason. He married his first and only love, Earline Joy Luttner, on August 3, 1957, and together they built their own home and raised four children. John was a master gardener and avid deer hunter in his younger years. He taught himself to play the harmonica as a young boy, loved to dance (especially to polkas), perfected making the best beef soup, and enjoyed his Croatian heritage. John’s greatest joy in life was spending time with his beloved children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His laughter, his beautiful singing voice, and his love for his family will be forever held dear in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.  John was the last living member of his immediate family, having been predeceased by his parents, Grga and Mary Vidakovich, brothers George and Nick, sisters Madalyn Williams and Ann Muss. He lost his beautiful, beloved wife, Earline, in 1998. He is survived by his children, Diane Raffoni, Gregory (Deborah) Vidakovich, MaryLou Rodgers (fiancé Larry D’Onofrio), and Kathleen (David) Najim, 8 grandchildren, Nathan (Lori) Rudy, Sara Jo (Anthony) Romero, Gregory Vidakovich (fiancée Jen Knudtson), Joseph (Kelli) Vidakovich, Alexandra Cahill (partner Ryan Zartman), Ezekiel (Carly) Najim, Liliana Najim and Luke Najim and 7 great-grandchildren, Steven and Morgan Rudy, Ilsa, Leo, and Marcus Romero, and Molly and Levi Vidakovich. Also survived by his brother-in-law, Earl (Rosanne) Luttner and many nieces and nephews.  Friends will be received from 4 to 8 PM Thursday, March 12, 2026 at the LEO M. BACHA FUNERAL HOME, INC., 2072 Route 130, Pleasant Unity.  Prayers will begin at 9:30 AM Friday in the funeral home followed by a funeral mass to be celebrated at 10 AM in St. Florian Catholic Church, United, with The Rev. John A. Sedlak as celebrant.  Military honors by the Armbrust Veterans Assn. and interment will follow in St. Florian Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant Township.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Lupus Foundation of America, Disabled American Veterans, or St. Florian Parish.   

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