Rev. John Zvijak, 72, of St. Charles Center, Carthagena, died at 5:54 p.m. Nov. 29, 2009, at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, Ind., of complications following a stroke.

He was born Jan. 3, 1937, in Whiting, Ind., to John and Helen Poznanski Zvijak.

Surviving are five sisters, Dolores (Raymond) Barnes, Crown Point, Ind., Anna Mae (Ted) Lampa, Stuart, Fla., Margaret (Frank) Yencich, Schaumburg, Ill., Patricia (Larry) Tomczak, Munster, Ind., and Florence Jacobs, Auburn, Ind.; a brother-in-law, Joseph Paunicka, Ogden Dunes, Ind.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Deceased are a sister, Judy Paunicka; a brother-in-law, Robert Jacobs; and an infant brother, Francis.

He entered the Society in 1950 and was ordained on June 8, 1963. He began his priestly ministry as a teacher at Carroll High School in Dayton, then for nine years at Brunnerdale Seminary, which was administered by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood near Canton. In 1981 he was named associate pastor of his home parish, St. John the Baptist Church in Whiting, and taught at nearby Calumet College of St. Joseph. He also was active in Marriage Encounter and as a retreat leader. In 1996, he was named an associate pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Cleveland. He was appointed associate pastor of the Marion cluster of parishes in and around Maria Stein in 2002. He returned to Whiting in 2003, due to health reasons, and then moved to St. Charles Center in Carthagena in 2005, where he resided until his death.

Calling is 2-6 p.m. Wednesday at St. John the Baptist Church when a memorial mass will be celebrated and 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday at St. Charles with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass is 2 p.m. Friday at St. Charles Center in Carthagena, the Rev. Angelo Anthony, C.PP.S., officiating. The homilist will be Rev. Louis Schmit. Burial will follow in the Community Cemetery.

Calling hours at St. Charles will be held 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Hogenkamp Funeral Home, St. Henry, is entrusted with arrangements.