John GARSTKA Sr.

News Death Notice

GARSTKA, Sr., John Aged 86 years, passed away in Dayton, Ohio on June 30th 2016. John was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 24, 1929 to Joseph and Victoria Garstka, first generation Polish immigrants. John is preceded in death by 17 siblings and many other family and friends. John is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years Phyllis Ann (Menker) Garstka and his children John Jr and wife Diane, Michele Martins, and Vicki Waker and husband Ed. Grandchildren Zachary Garstka and Amy, Alex Garstka, Chris Phillips, Nicole Sopczak, Rebecca Torres and Andrew, Jake Phillips and Clarissa, Benjamin Martins and Allison Waker. Great Grandchildren Izabelle Sopczak, Stella Sopczak, Charlotte Sopczak, Aiden and Johnathon Phillips, Alana Torres, Andrew Torres Jr., Greg Torres and Ada Garstka (and one on the way). John spent 27 years in the United States Air Force workings as a Medic with the Physiological Training Flight Unit at Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio, Brooks AFB, San Antonio, Texas, and Wiesbaden AFB in Wiesbaden, Germany, where he modeled the earliest pressure suits being developed for jet pilots in the early 1950's and trained and tested pilots in ejection simulators and altitude and decompression chambers. He was instrumental in designing and making many of the flight oxygen masks. In addition to his professional work in the Air Force, John was an accomplished athlete as well, competing in boxing, football, and his passion, fast pitch softball where he excelled as both a hitter and pitcher winning athlete of the year time and again. After John retired from the Air Force he worked for a number of years repairing typewriters, building clocks, a hobby he picked up while being stationed in Germany, also an auto mechanic, and furniture maker. Most of all John was a selfless and great man who loved his family, friends, life, and dancing. We all hope he is dancing again. A celebration of John's life will be held at 9 AM on Tuesday, July 5th at St Helen Catholic Church 5086 Burkhardt Rd Riverside Ohio 45431 Mass to follow at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers please send donations to: St. Vincent de Paul Gateway Shelter for Women & Families 120 W. Apple St. Dayton, OH 45402. Phone: (937) 461-7837, ext. 105 Arrangements entrusted to Westbrock Funeral Home.