John Thomas Vuletich, affectionately known as "Johnny," 72, of Huntsville, AL, passed away on January 14 from cancer in Vernon, AL. A funeral will be held on February 10 at Maple Hill Cemetery at 10 a.m., with a celebration of life to follow at 305 8th Street Community, Huntsville, AL.
Johnny was born in Youngstown, Ohio & grew up on Bessemer St. near the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Steel Mills. His grandparents were Ethel Emery & Michael "Milan" Vuletich.
Johnny spent most of his early life with his Mom, Virginia, and Father, Earl. As a child, he attended baseball games, the circus, and occasionally, the horse races. In addition, he celebrated two Christmases each year with the Serbian Orthodox on Christmas Eve, January 6, and Christmas Day, January 7. Johnny grew up surrounded by three siblings named Charles, Paul, and Marilyn. In addition, he had many loving Uncles, Aunts, and cousins.
Once he moved to Alabama, he never returned to Ohio but remained in contact with his family via phone and wrote letters and exchanged photos through the mail.
In 1989, Johnny moved to 305 8th Street Community, where he spent the next 27 years. He enjoyed helping around the home, going to church, and maintaining a steady routine. He quickly became a cornerstone to their family, from helping around the house to being the main greeter with a joke and remarkable recall of every family member's name.
His charm followed him to Generations of Vernon in Vernon, AL, where he spent the last years of his life. He carried with him the knowledge that a bit of flirting was always good for getting an extra cup of coffee.
Johnny made family wherever he went and never forgot the ones he left behind. He always asked about Andrea's boys, his cousin Karen, Kay's biscuits, and asked about all of his friends at 305 8th Street. He kept in touch regularly until his last days.
At the end of the day, if you were a caregiver or friend, Johnny made his way to your heart strings.
Thanks to nurse Peggy, Amedysis Hospice, and the team in the men's hallway at Generations of Vernon, Johnny's last days were comfortable, and he left this world with many memories and in peace. And throughout his life, 305 8th Street Community continued to be his forever family, serving as his sponsor, along with a distant cousin named Karen who never forgot him.
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