John S. Rakich, 74, of rural Benton, died early Saturday morning, February 11, 2017 at his home.

Born November 18, 1942 in Kingston, he was a son of the late John and Alma (Fox) Rakich.  He and his wife, Carolyn L. (Ross) Rakich, would have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary on September 26th.

Mr. Rakich was a 1960 graduate of Benton High School and a 1966 graduate of Bloomsburg State College, now Bloomsburg University.

In his younger years, he worked at Magee Carpet Company in Bloomsburg until he began his 30 year teaching career at Central Columbia High School where he retired from in 1997.  He was Central's wrestling coach for 29 years and also was a PIAA official for soccer and wrestling since 1973.  During his career at Central he also coached track and field, Jr. High girls basketball coach as well as was the assistant softball coach. 

He was the PIAA District IV Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee in 1992 and was voted Coach of the Year for Wrestling District IV in 1984.  Along with being a member of the PIAA, he was also a member of the PSEA and the NEA. 

Following his retirement he was a substitute teacher at the Red Rock Job Corps.  His hobbies included golfing and reading.  He was known as a jack-of-all-trades and was known for his masonary work.

Surviving, along with his wife, Carolyn, are his two daughters:  Charlene K. English and her husband, Robert, of Beaver Falls; Carol R. Rakich, of Benton; three grandchildren:  Kay, R. J., and Austin; two great grandchildren:  Connor and Rylen; three step great grandchildren: Kelly, Kaydence and Kenzie.  Also surviving are a brother, Charles Rakich and his wife, Beatrice, of Benton.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, February 16th, 2017 at 2 PM at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., 4394 Red Rock Road, Benton (S. R. 487) with Pastor Scott L. Lyons, Stillwater Christian Church, officiating.  A Viewing will be held Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM and Thursday from 1 to 2 PM at McMichael's.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Cooley's Anemia Foundation, 330 Seventh Ave., #200, New York, NY 10001 (cooleysanemia.org) or to the Columbia Montour Hospice, 410 Glenn Ave., Suite 200, Bloomsburg, PA 17815.

For online condolences or for additional information, please visit our website:   www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

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