John J. Sentovich's Obituary
John J. Sentovich, 88, of Germantown, TN passed away Saturday, January 3, 2015 surrounded by his family at Baptist Reynolds Hospice House. Mr. Sentovich was born in Lead, SD and was the oldest son of Mike and Nike Sentovich. The family lived in “Slavonian Alley” where many Croatians settled to work in the Homestake Gold Mine. He graduated from Lead High School and continued to work in Lead in the family grocery store. He then enlisted in the Army which, for 15 months, allowed him to travel to Germany and Japan. After his honorable discharge, John moved to Southern California and worked for Cudahy Building Materials for forty years as their business manager. In 1994, John retired and moved with his wife Katherine, to Cordova, TN to be close to his daughter’s family. John was a faithful Catholic his entire life and was involved in all the parishes he attended as a choir member, usher and member of the Knights of Columbus. John is survived by his wife of 58 years, Katherine, his daughter Cynthia (Rhett) Hailey of Germantown, TN and son, J.P. (Paula) Sentovich of Rockford, IL. John had nine grandchildren that gave him immense joy: Ryan Hailey of Los Angeles, CA, Ann-Katherine (John) Stukenborg of Memphis, John Michael, Christopher, and Matthew Hailey of Germantown; Nicholas, Margaret, Thomas and Sarah Marie Sentovich of Rockford, IL., two brothers, Chris (Delores) Sentovich of Longmont, CO, Mike (Barbara) Sentovich of Los Alamitos, CA, sisters-in-law, Phyllis Fleming of Lead, SD and Mary Fitzpatrick of El Dorado Hills, CA and many nieces and nephews. He was recently predeceased by his brother, Tony Sentovich of Lead. John was a very good athlete and loved to sing, golf, bowl, work crossword puzzles and play poker but will be known as one of the greatest cribbage players the world has ever seen. He never missed a chance to play or teach someone the game. Visitation will be on Friday, January 9, from 5-7 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Germantown. Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, January 10 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help followed by lunch and reception. Interment for the family will occur at the West Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Baptist Reynolds Hospice House, Collierville, TN, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Cordova, TN or Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Germantown, TN.
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