Submitted by: Dan Rich

John M. Hyska

Feb. 24, 1943 - May 25, 2008

South Bend Tribune 5/28/2008
MISHAWAKA - John was born February 24, 1943, in Mishawaka, to Helen V. (West) and Peter Leo Hyska. He was preceded in death by his parents, and an aunt, Dorothy West; uncles, Robert and Richard West; and by a niece, Kathleen Marie Engle. John served the City of Mishawaka as a heavy equipment operator for the Mishawaka Street Department from 1969 to 2004, when he retired on disability December 15, 2004. A Proclamation was presented to John honoring his competence, commitment and dedication by Jeff Rea, Mayor of the City of Mishawaka, proclaiming December 15, 2004, John Hyska Day. John is survived by his only sister, Karen Engle-Spears, and bother-in-law, James Spears; along with aunts and uncles, Dorothy and Buford Chandonia, Joan and Eugene Crook, and Nell Knohl; nieces and nephews, Terri Engle, Becky Singleton, Richard and Ann Engle, Doug Engle and Robyn Luther, Kelly and Fred Owens, David Engle, Dean and Sandra Engle, James, John and Joseph Spears; 20 great-nieces and nephews, Michelle, Samantha, Barbara, Martha, Jacqueline, Jessica, Danielle, Avonlea, Christina, Donald, Edward, Robert, Jennifer, Christopher, Alan, Matthew, Stephen, Hannah, Andrew and Emma; and seven great-great-nieces and nephews, Dallas, Malakai, Serena, Michael, Robbie, Sierra and Seanna. He also is survived by and loved by five of his first cousins, Christine and Ron, and cousins, Janis, Jeanne and Jimmy.

Until his health failed, John was often found at the Eberhart - Petro Golf Course. He belonged to the Men's Club of Eberhart. In 1996 John was the Metro Seniors B Flight Champion. He was awarded a certificate for a hole-in-one on February 29, 2004, from the Indiana Golf Association and PGA of America. For many years he bowled on three different leagues at Jefferson and Regal Lanes. He bowled several 300 games. After his retirement, John enjoyed stock car racing at South Bend, Kalamazoo and Thunder Valley Speedways. He followed Ryan Newman in particular and attended races with his sister and nieces and nephews, and a great-great-nephew, Dallas Porter. Annually he, his sister, Karen, and his nephew, Rick, drove to Ohio to attend a stock car race at the Eldora dirt track in Ohio. He already had tickets for this year, and his sister and nephew will go to Eldora in memory of John. He was a regular at Notre Dame women's basketball games as a season ticket holder with his brother-in-law, Jim. In later years, John became a very detailed woodworker, selling pieces and making things for his family. His friends and family will miss him. Good-bye, dearest brother, we had so many good times, I'll always miss you (and thanks for doing my hair when I needed you to do it). Be looking down on Rick and I when we go to the Eldora race track this summer.

Friends and family may call from 4 to 7 PM on Thursday in Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, May 30, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Bavo's Catholic Church, Mishawaka, IN. Rev. Barry England will be officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka. The family request that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to St. Bavo Catholic Church, 511 W. 7th Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544; or to Pet Refuge, 2300 W. 6th Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544.