John Kerestes

STREATOR-  John R. Kerestes 84 of Streator passed away peacefully at 6:33 Thursday evening (Sept. 26, 2013) at his home, surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Streator with Rev. John Gutz, officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 PM Sunday at Hagi Funeral Home, Streator and additional visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 AM Monday at the church. Burial with full military rites conducted by members of American Legion Post # 217 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 1492 will be in Riverview Cemetery, Streator.
Mr. Kerestes was born Jan. 20, 1929 in Streator the son of John and Pauline (Plesko) Kerestes. He married Mary Hagi Feb. 6, 1951 in Streator. She survives.
John and his wife Mary have been the owners of Hagi Funeral Home since 1975. He was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and American Legion Post # 217. He was well known for his athletic ability, having been a football player at Streator High School and following graduation in 1947, he played for Purdue University where he was co-captain his senior year. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins football team. The Korean War interrupted his professional ball playing when he enlisted in the US Marines where he played for two years with the US Marines football team. John was an artillery instructor with the Marines, stationed in Quantico VA. Following the US Marines he attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Chicago and received his Funeral Director and Embalmers License in 1956. He had been active in the past, as a coach for Streator youth football and baseball and had also served on the Board of Directors of the Streator Salvation Army. John was inducted into the Streator High School Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1975.
John is survived by his wife Mary, one daughter, Kathy (partner Julie Hopkins) Kerestes, Greeley CO, one son, Kyle (Jamie) Kerestes, Wexford PA, two brothers, Rev. Louis (Joan) Kerestes, Stanley WI and Donald (Dorothy) Kerestes, Rockford, along with several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister in infancy and a sister-in-law, Marge Remy.
Pallbearers will be family members.
Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church or the donor’s choice.