Obituary

John James Shimko 89, of San Juan Capistrano California entered into eternal life on Thursday September 22, 2022.

John was born in Hazelton Pennsylvania on October 30, 1932, the oldest child of John and Veronica Lukatch Shimko.  He was raised in Somerville NJ with his brother Donald E. Shimko.  He attended Somerville High School graduating in 1950.

John served his country during the Korean War as a United States Navy machinist aboard the USS Mindoro – CVE120.

John married his high school sweetheart Alice Louise Kalmback who predeceased him in 2015.  They were married for 62 years.  He leaves behind 6 children, Cynthia Johnson, (James) Denise Bloomer, (Alan) Joy Rodriguez, (Arthur) John Donald Shimko, (Marnee) Alan Christopher Shimko, and David Alan Shimko.  Seven grandchildren, Jeffrey Johnson, Jessica Peckham, Joylyn Erb, Chanae Moore, Abagail Bloomer, Spencer Ian Davie and Cooper Joseph Davie.  His eighth grandchild, Thomas Johnson predeceased.  He also leaves behind 11 great grandchildren.

John moved his family to California in 1970 and established Joys Gifts in Dana Point Harbor that remained open until 2016

John enjoyed doing woodworking projects, cooking, attending exercise classes at the senior center, listening to music, tending to his rose and succulent gardens, and playing golf with his children.  After breaking his collarbone, his swing improved and he had his first-hole in one at Aliso Viejo Country Club on the 6^th hole witnessed by his boys.

He enjoyed spending time with all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

John was a devoted and loving husband and father.  The family thanks and appreciates all of his loving caregivers for their devotion to him for the past year.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
https://www.stjude.org/donate/srch/st-jude-shirt.html?frequency-selected=1&adobe_mc_sdid=SDID%3D015B76BA4C11B866-65A9A70C26501594%7CMCORGID%3D091B467352782E0D0A490D45%40AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1664218322&adobe_mc_ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&sc_dcm=58700008008698866&sc_cid=kwp&sc_cat=b&amount=x&ds_rl=1290690&ds_rl=1291300&ds_rl=1285465&gclid=CjwKCAjwm8WZBhBUEiwA178UnDFMD6HDKi1uX8xxtV3wkuod6P73URhaf2hu1HhZcQpu5yJ5p3SxyhoCcbkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

or

Fisher House Veterans Services
https://connect.fisherhouse.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.event&eventID=1&_ga=2.116004430.995298363.1664217991-1733140196.1664217991