Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Marko Peranich was born to Katie and Sam Peranich in Chicago, Illinois, in 1927. Marko was raised with siblings Anne, Julia, Penny and Tony. While his father, who was a construction worker, was strict, his mother was a loving, kind woman who had a great influence on Marko as she cared for the kids and kept house for other families. She was a really hard worker and she really had a soft spot for Marko. Growing up was difficult during the Great Depression. While the family was poor, everyone shared similar circumstance. Marko learned a strong work ethic as he had a job during his high school years. After graduating from high school at the age of 17, he joined the United States Navy during World War II serving from 1945 – 1948. He served his country proudly as a pharmacists mate first class.

While he was on leave from the Navy, Marko returned to Chicago where he met a young woman named Gloria and fell in love. She was a telephone operator who had trained Marko's youngest sister, Penny. In fact, Penny introduced the Faber girls to her brothers, Tony and Mark. The couple started double dating with Gloria's sister Verna and Marko's brother, Tony. Interestingly, Gloria and Marko were married in August 1949 in a Lutheran Church in Chicago and Verna and Tony were married a year later.

Marko served in the Reserves and he was called back during the Korean War. Their first son, Mark, was just a baby as Marko served in the Philippines and Guam from March 1951 to July 1952. Marko always liked strong women and he had great respect for Margarite, who was high up in the Navy. She helped to keep him out of any combat during the Korean War and close to her. He was always grateful to her and they were good friends. After his service was finished, the family moved to Southern California. They lived first in Eagle Rock and later moved to the Lassen Street home in Mission Hills. The couple had two more sons, Bruce and Kevin. The boys were all born two years apart. Seven years later, the couple was pleased with the birth of their only daughter, Keri. With four children, their family was complete. Verna and Tony also started their family on the same block in Mission Hills. The kids were really like brothers and sisters to their cousins Scott, Brad, Brian, and Toni Lynn. Both families were extremely close. They were also close to his sister Anne, her husband Rex and their kids Peggy and Gene. The family attended a Lutheran church and they shared those spiritual beliefs with their children. Marko's neighborhood was always very important to him as he bought his home in the heart of the Valley in 1973, when Keri was 11-years-old. The family was close the Svolos family who lived across the street. The Svolos kids even referred to them as Aunt Gloria and Uncle Mark.

Marko loved being a father teaching his children about so much in life. He was a strong believer in structure as he was straight-laced. He had a crew cut and the boys had haircuts. The kids also learned the same strong work ethic as they were responsible for making their beds, doing laundry, and they were assigned tasks such as washing dishes after dinner. Marko was really tough, but fair. He was more of the disciplinarian, while Gloria was the softie. But, he loved his family so much and provided for them over the years. There wasn't a lot of money, but the kids always had shoes, clean clothes and food on the table.

Professionally, Marko worked for Beacons Moving and Storage for a few years. He then entered the Aerospace Industry as a Logistical Manager at Rocketdyne, where he worked for the next 35 years. As he was the head manager in charge of logistics, his work involved the important moving and storage of engine parts for rockets. He oversaw the cataloging and warehousing of those parts for different rockets and the shuttle. Much of his time was spent at the Santa Susana site. He respected strong women and had a number of friends on the job such as Doris Burns, Betty Brace, Margaret Brown, Barbara Thompson and their husbands. Marko had a tremendous work ethic and never missed a day of work, as he led his children by example. He quit smoking 35 years ago, because he was a health fanatic. His favorite magazine was Prevention Magazine.

Family was Marko's biggest priority, but the title of family stretched to friends as well. There were large gatherings at Thanksgiving with 50 relatives and friends at the family home. Both Gloria and Marko served as cooks for the big meal. For Christmas Eve, there were always big gatherings. In fact, the Christmas Eve buffets were incredible as they prepared all of the food including dozens of cookies that they gave away as holiday gifts. They loved having friends over to the house and all of the gatherings were always held at their home. Gloria's parents were chefs and pastry chefs so they liked entertaining and enjoyed hosting the gatherings. Gloria and Marko also held Card Club Parties where they played cards and ate bridge mix. Neighborhood couples got together for the card parties once a month.

There were vacations over the years. The family visited their cousins in Wisconsin. They stopped at cousin Wilma's in Iowa, and visited South Dakota, Yellowstone Park and Mount Rushmore to see the sights. When their cousins moved to Fresno, the family visited a few times every year.

After wearing shirts and ties to the office for several decades, in retirement Marko enjoyed looking stylish in more casual wear. He was happiest wearing board shorts and Birkenstocks. He was impeccable when it came to grooming, as he believed in haircuts, shaves and style. The family added a swimming pool to the house, as swimming was good for him and he loved the heat of the sun. He always had a tan. He also had a ferocious sweet tooth, as he loved See's chocolates, See's suckers, and candy. His favorite food was spaghetti and his favorite drink was passion fruit iced tea. He used to grow strawberries in the backyard and he loved to water the lawn or wash down the patio. He had big fun using Miracle Grow as he had orchids and other flowers in the yard, and he always kept his hummingbird feeder full. Marko enjoyed the company of animals, especially his dog Sweetie. His hobby was shopping. He loved shopping. He'd buy products or clothes for Gloria on the Home Shopping Network and he loved shopping at Costco and Steinmart, especially when he thought he was getting a good deal.

Friends and family were always important to Marko. Muriel and Bob Wolf were friends for 60 years. Muriel had grown up with Gloria when they were in school. Elma and Bob Slattery were friends for 59 years. Margaret Mulch was a good friend and neighbor from the Lassen Street home. The Svolos, Ratners, and Francie and Joel Hurwit were also good friends in their current neighborhood. Norma and Nick Drazich were really helpful neighbors in helping to care for Gloria and Marko. The family had a great relationship with their many relatives. They were close to Verna and Tony, Ann and Rex, and all of their nieces and nephews. Marko was also close to his cousin Tennessee Mark, his wife Ruth and their kids. Marko was incredibly good friends with Ron Branstner, who he met at the Rockwell gym when he took him under his wing.

The entire family was grateful when his son, Bruce, moved home to take care of both Gloria and Marko. When Marko was in the hospital, Bruce made him a batch of spaghetti to make sure he'd eat. Only a few months ago, Marko prepared his annual Christmas gathering in 2008 for his retirement group, family and friends. When he was in the ICU, he was planning the next party for his wedding anniversary in August. He told his kids not to make the party too big. He always set goals to go to the next event. He was looking forward to attending the June wedding for Ryan and Lauren, as he always thought ahead. He was even planning what he was going to wear to the wedding.

Marko's greatest love in his life was his wife, Gloria. His wish was always to come home and his children made sure to bring him home. In the end, he was home less than 12 hours, when he relaxed and passed away. The family honored his final wish. Marko died three days before his 82nd birthday and this August would have marked his 60th wedding anniversary. His family will miss the get togethers, the big Christmas Eve family gatherings, the lunches and family reunions that were led by Marko. Few people can say they've had Thanksgiving for 50 people and 35 of those attendees were cousins and relatives. Marko's legacy is one of love, family and friends.

Marko was incredibly devoted to his wife and his children. He will best be remembered as a man who never turned his back on someone he loved. While he came across as tough, he had a heart of gold. He even cried at Hallmark commercials. He had an offbeat way of sharing his opinions as he had different points of view. He oftentimes said funny things without even trying. He passed his passion for entertaining down to his kids. Marko will be laid to rest in a sweater, jeans, and his Birkenstocks. His funeral will be casual because he believed people should come as they are. He welcomed so many into his life. His family is grateful that he is not in any more pain or suffering. He believed in God and heaven and his family believes he is now at peace and one day they will be reunited again. His advice would be to take care of yourself and your families.

Marko was preceded in death by his parents Katie and Sam; and sisters Julia and Penny. He is loved and remembered by extensive family members: wife Gloria; son Mark; son Bruce; son Kevin and daughter-in-law Nancy; daughter Keri; grandson Matthew; step-granddaughter Lizzie; step-grandson Jarrod; many extended relatives, cousins and friends.

Memorial donations are welcome in Marko Peranich's name to The Arthritis Foundation www.arthritis.org.

See Gloria's marker here: http://www.celebrantpam.com/gloriaperanich.html.