John S. 'Jack' Kallas

HURLEY, Wis. - John S. "Jack" Kallas, 93, of Hurley, died peacefully Sunday evening, Jan. 7, 2018, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.

Jack was born July 14, 1924, in Hurley, son of the late John and Anne (Pretti) Kallas, and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1942. He entered the U.S. Army on June 16, 1943, proudly serving his country during World War II in the European Theater of Operations, and was honorably discharged on Dec. 21, 1945. Following his discharge from the Army, Jack returned to the area and worked in the Cary Mine, as a delivery driver for Gertz Furniture in Ironwood, Mich., and was employed as an appliance repairman for Mattson's TV and Appliance in downtown Ironwood for many years, retiring in 1986.

Jack was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, a life member of Iron County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1580, and a former member of the Hurley Volunteer Fire Department. An accomplished accordionist and music lover, he played with his band, the Rhythm Kings, on the Gogebic Range in earlier years and more recently entertained the residents at Villa Maria with his accordion and melodica. He was an avid NASCAR, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers fan. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family whom he loved dearly. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

On July 3, 1948, he was united in marriage to Joyce Baron at St. Mary's Church in Hurley by the late Msgr. Michael Prock. Jack and Joyce built a loving home in which they raised their five children in the house they shared for 65 years.

Surviving are his wife, Joyce, of 69 years; sons, Bob (Robyn), Saxon, Jim (Penny), Ham Lake, Minn., and Ray (Debba), Gallatin, Tenn .; daughters, Jean Ann (Bob) Rajski, Menasha, and Joan (Jim) Usitalo, Ironwood; 12 grandchildren, Lisa (Mark) Selin, John Kallas, Rebecca (Jon) Sellman, Eric Kallas, Jenna Kallas, Jaime (Paul) Grant, Ryan (Katie) Carton, Tara (Greg) Kelbert, Phillip Carton, Melanie (David) Check, Ashley (Tony) Stella and Sarah (Kyle) Smith; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; a sister, Fran Norman, Hurley; and numerous nieces, nephews and brothers-and-sisters-in-law.

Besides his parents, Jack was predeceased by a brother, Bob; nephew, Don Kallas; sister-in-law, Edna Mae Kallas; and brother-in-law, Bob Norman.

Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place.

Services and military honors will be held in the summer at a time, date and place to be announced.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Villa Maria for the exceptional care and kindness extended to Jack over the past four and a half years.