John M. Yesalavich

Sergeant John Milton Yesalavich, 76, husband of Peggy Fix Yesalavich, passed away on August 14, 2022 at Sentara RMH Medical Center.

John was born on November 7, 1945 to the late John Anthony and Martha Sutton Yesalavich.

He was a proud United States Marine serving during Vietnam. Following the loss of his son, Cpl. Dwayne M. Yesalavich, he was warmly supported and graciously welcomed by each member of the Stonewall Detachment Marine Corp League. He served as a Past Commandant of the Marine Corp League and was a Life Member. He also was a Life Member of the Military Order of the Devil Dogs and served as the Past Vice Commandant of the Mid East Division of the Military Order of the Devil Dogs. He was a Life Member of the VFW, Lyndhurst and a member of the American Legion, At Large.

He was a member of Zetta Presbyterian Church in Churchvillle, where he served as an Elder

John loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, horses, horseback riding, gardening, riding his John Deere tractor, and taking care of his home, The Barn. He especially loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who were the light of his life.

In addition to his loving wife of fifty-four years, he is survived by his daughters, Debra Y. Sumner (Michael) and Karen Y. Leach (Dr. Jeremy); his grandchildren, Charles and Kristin Stogdale, Madyson Sumner, and Jackson Leach; his great-grandchildren, Jasmine and Rylee Stogdale and Kairi Terry; his sister, Janet Yesalavich (David Zimmerman); his brother, Joseph Yesalavich (Jackie); and his nieces, Kimberly Fix Strother, Christie Yesalavich, Angie Yesalavich; and his special daughters, Cristina Casada, Heather Auville, and Lorie Woolridge

He is preceded in death by his parents, John A. and Martha S. Yesalavich; by his son, Corporal Dwayne M. Yesalavich, USMC; his sister, Ann L. Yesalavich; his nephew, David A. Yesalavich; and his great-nephew, Colin M. Hudson.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 1:30 PM at the Henry Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Stan Farthing officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Interment will follow at Oak Lawn Mausoleum and Memory Gardens in Staunton where military rites will be rendered at the graveside.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ian Horn, Michael Sumner, Jeremy Leach, Jackson Leach, Dave Zimmerman, Lucian Whitmore, Jeff Lucas, and John Gibson.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. David Chernoff and his staff and the VA Home Based Primary Care Team for their constant loving and supportive care.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, the Shriners, or Boys Town.