John M. Riha

John M. Riha, Jr. age 89 of Sanford died Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at MidMichigan Stratford Village.

The son of the late John and Marie (Kurecka) Riha was born November 2, 1924 in Freeland where he was raised and educated. John served with the U.S. Marine Corp. during WWII. On October 30, 1948 he married the former Alice Bocek in Bannister, Michigan. He was employed with the Dow Chemical Co. for over 40 years retiring in 1981 as a Materials Handling Specialist.
John loved duck and goose hunting and travelled to Canada for 21 consecutive years to hunt. His greatest pleasure was hunting and fishing with his son, daughter in law and grandsons. He was a past president of the Midland County Sportsman Club and was co-founder of the Sanford Chapter of Ducks Unlimited where he was very active. He was an avid golfer and very proud of his Czechoslovakian heritage enjoying its customs, music and food.
John was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church (St. Agnes-Sanford). He had been active with the parish council, served as an usher, worked on the building committee and was a member of the Knights of Columbus #8043.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Alice; son, Randy (Charlotte) Riha of Sugar Land, Texas; grandsons, Gordon (Jamie) Riha of Billings, Montana and Braden Riha of Denver, Colorado; great grandson, Miles Riha; uncle, Joseph Riha of Freeland and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his sister, Lydia Kodrik.

The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to the staff at MidMichigan Stratford Village and Brittany Manor for their compassionate care of John.

The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 2, 2014 from Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church (Sanford) with the Reverend Father Dan Fox, OFM-Cap. officiating. The Rite of Committal will follow in New Calvary Cemetery with military rites under the auspices of the Midland Area Veterans and the U.S. Marines Military Honor Guard.
Visitation will be at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home on Friday from 5-8 pm with the Knights of Columbus reciting a rosary at 7:30 pm followed by a Christian Wake Service. He will lie in state at the church on Saturday from 10:00 am until the time of Mass.
Donations in John's memory may be offered to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Personal messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.wilson-miller.com.