Whitman County Gazette - Serving Whitman County since 1877

John P. Giudice, age 99, passed away Wednesday, February 24, 2021, in Tekoa from heart failure. At his request, no services will be held and his remains will be placed in Goldenrod Cemetery in Tekoa.

He was born February 24, 1922, in Coloma, Michigan, to Gerlando and Elvira Giudice. He was raised in the Chicago, Illinois, area where he attended and graduated from Englewood High School and then attended Englewood College studying English and Printing. In 1943 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served in the 615th Air Engineer Squadron attaining the rank of Sergeant during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

Following his military service, John married Janette Hamilton in Chicago and the couple made their home in the Chicago area. John worked at a printing shop there. The family relocated to California in 1970. John owned and operated a locksmith shop there. In 1989, John and Janette moved to Tekoa, Wash., and he has made his home here since.

Two years following the death of his wife Janette, John married Evelyn Olson at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at DeSmet, Idaho, and the couple lived in the rural Plummer, Idaho, area. After Evelyn's death, John made his home in Tekoa, Wash.

John was a member and past elder of the Colonial Village Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Ill., a life member of Elmhurst, Ill., Masonic Lodge #941, a life member and Past Commander of American Legion Square Post #232 in Chicago Ill., and a current member of American Legion Post #69 in Plummer, Idaho. He was also a former member of the Tekoa Grange and the Tekoa Senior Citizens. He was a founding member of the Columbia Basin Locksmith's Association.

John's hobbies included playing in marching bands in Chicago and playing tuba in community bands in California. He also enjoyed playing in the drum and bugle corps. John was a very social person and attended senior lunches in several local communities. He enjoyed camping with his family and was an avid pinochle player.

Survivors include his children, John Giudice (Sherry) of Tekoa, Wash., and Jean Bugner of Frankfort, Ill., a sister, Jenny Prikler of Orland Park, Ill., eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Giudice.

Kramer Funeral Home of Tekoa is caring for the family. Online condolences may be left at http://www.kramercares.com.