Daniel Edward Puskarich

Daniel Edward Puskarich

Services: Sat., Sept. 6, 11 a.m.

Dan Puskarich passed away September 1, 2003, after a brief battle with pneumonia. Dan was born in Brereton, Illinois, September 4, 1919 to Dan and Amelia Puskarich.

In 1943 Dan married Charlotte Waddell. He moved his family to Oildale, California in 1954, where he worked (with his brother Matt in the potato industry) for Arden Farms and Knudsen Dairies until he retired.

Dan was active at Christ the King Parish in various capacities including usher, Bingo, Mens Club, bazaar committee and various fund raising activities. He supported Garces High School football, enjoyed golf and baseball, serving many years coaching and umpiring Junior Baseball Association (JBA) and North of the River girls teams. He was a lifetime fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. He and his wife, Charlotte enjoyed square dancing, as members of the Merry Mixers Square Dance Club, and camping with friends. He was an avid auto-racing fan and assisted the Puskarich Racing Team at Bakersfield and Mesa Marin Speedways and other NASCAR tracks in the West. He also enjoyed the company of his loyal canines through the years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Charlotte; his son, Tom Puskarich and wife, Carlene; daughters, Sue Higgins and husband, Doug, Brenda Bynum and husband, Art; and Annette Puskarich; grandchildren, Tom Puskarich, Jr., Jay Bynum, Jacki Puskarich-McNeal and husband, Patrick, and Anjanette Higgins; great-grandchildren, Caity and Sarah Higgins, Toni, Joseph, and Nicholas Bynum. Dan is also survived by his sister-in-law, Pauline Puskarich; brother, Joe Puskarich of Aberdeen, Maryland; sister, Helen Hurst and husband, Bob; brothers, George Puskarich, John Puskarich and wife, Ellyn, all of Canton, Illinois; niece, Patricia Puskarich and nephew, Dan Puskarich and numerous other nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Matt and Thomas Puskarich; sister, Ann Warner; grandson, Steven Gray (Sue Higgins); and great-granddaughter, Alexandra Puskarich (Tom Puskarich, Jr.).

A memorial requiem Mass will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1800 Bedford Way, Oildale, Saturday, September 6, 2003 at 11 a.m. No visitation is scheduled. Interment will be held privately at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the City of Hope, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, in memory of Dan Puskarich