John Gabriel Divich
John Gabriel Divich, 67, of Yuma, Ariz., much loved father, grandfather and kind friend to all who knew him, passed away quietly Saturday, December 29, 2012, in his home, within the comfort of his family.
He was born in Canonsburg, July 9, 1945, a son of the late Gabriel and Anna Kosharsky Divich.
Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Hannelore Ericka Grosser Divich; three daughters, Patricia Divich of Yuma, Maryann Davis of Maryland and Christine (Jeff) Stoner of Yuma; five grandchildren, James and Jonathan Davis, Shelby, Hanna and Seth Stoner; and a brother Thomas (Carol) Divich of Glendale, Ariz.
In addition to his parents, deceased is a sister, Sandra Ann Lucciola.
Mr. Divich was a 26-year U.S. Army Vietnam veteran. He served as part of the U.S. Army presidential flight detachment for President Nixon. He served one tour in Vietnam as well as serving three tours in Europe. Following his active duty military career, he worked at Seair Transport Services Inc. in flight operations as an air traffic control specialist Laguna Army Yuma Proving Grounds, where he achieved his second retirement.
He was raised a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan from Houston and Meadow Lands area, attending Chartiers-Houston schools.
Mr. Divich spent his years of retirement in the company of his grandchildren. He enjoyed the cool weather of the Lakeside Pinetop area of Arizona, where he went fishing and spent time with his brother and his wife at their condo during the summers.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, January 4, in Sunset Vista Funeral Home, Yuma. Burial with military honors will immediately follow the service in Sunset Vista Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made in his memory to Hospice of Yuma (nonprofit), 1824 8th Avenue, Yuma, AZ 85364. Sunset Vista Funeral Home is serving the Divich family.