John R. Carrasca

GALVA - John R. Carrasca, 81, of Galva, died at 8:05 a.m., Thursday, October 10, 2024 at his home.

He was born August 1, 1943 in Chicago, the son of Lupe and Florence (Harpman) Carrasca. He married Ermal M. Davis on February 24, 1963 in Moline. Survivors include his wife of Galva, his children; Tammy Carrasca of Galva, Lisa (Sam) Purlee and Robert (DaiLynn) Carrasca, both of Alexis and Diane Carrasca of Galva, his siblings; Fred (Annie) Carrasca of California, Rita (Richard) Wheelhouse of Kewanee, Cathy (Richard) Staker of Williamsfield and Bob (Sammie) Carrasca of Oregon, ten grandchildren; Samantha Carrasca, Corey Purlee, Tiffany Fisher, Rene Carrasca, Gabe Carrasca, Michael Carrasca, Sarah Hansen, Naomi Purlee, Rachel Purlee and Rhiannon Carrasca and twenty-four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Ronald Carrasca, two sisters, Edna Young and Beverly Anderson and a great granddaughter, Makenzie Traff.

John graduated from Galva High School in 1961 and from Carl Sandburg College in 1996 with a degree in auto-body technology. He worked in the shipping department at Lily Tulip and was a pattern maker at the Galva Foundry for 25 years until their closure. He then was a janitor at Galva High School for 25 years while teaching auto body classes at Carl Sandburg College for 15 years.

He was an active member of the Oddfellows for over 30 years and his interests included building and inventing things. He enjoyed camping and fishing and of course using his own doughball bait. He also enjoyed motorcycles, golfing and baseball having played throughout high school and in various leagues.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 17 at Rux Funeral Home in Galva with Chaplain Jordan Knight officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. The burial will be held at Galva Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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