John I. Crnkovich Jr.

John Ivan Crnkovich Jr. passed away, Thursday, May 8, 2025 at Sunset Healthcare in Union, Missouri. John was born November 13, 1952 in St. Louis, Missouri to Mr. and Mrs. John Crnkovich.
John's childhood was spent in South St. Louis. Abandoned by his mother when he was quite young, John was raised by his father, a stone mason. John's life changed dramatically at age 12 when his father died of cancer. With no family to take him in, the local Catholic church arranged for John to live with a family in Washington, Missouri. John attended two years of high school at St. Francis Borgia High School and then graduated from Washington High School in 1971.
John entered the workforce where his employers recognized and appreciated John's can-do attitude and leadership qualities. John welcomed every professional challenge and was quite successful. His career culminated in his role as Production Manager for the Industrial Products Division at Meramec Group. John retired from Meramec in 2021.
Similar to what happened a generation earlier, John's first wife left John and their young son, Johnny. John rose to the challenge and raised Johnny on his own. Unfortunately, Johnny, like his grandfather before him, was stricken with cancer at a young age and died in 2021.
John was not dealt the best cards in life, but he made the most of those cards - truly a self-made man.
There are no services at this time and cremation has taken place.
Friends may send online condolences to John's family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com
All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.