Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, John E. Ruzicka, beloved son, brother, brother in law, husband, father, uncle, godfather, grandfather, and friend passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at St. Luke’s Hospital on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. John is survived by the love of his life and wife Jeanne (Bira) Ruzicka. His children include his daughter, Emily (Michael) Ploch, Dan Ruzicka, Will (Mary) Ruzicka, and Fr. Jack Ruzicka. His grandchildren include Louis, Giorgia, and Annie Ploch.
John came from a large Ruzicka family. He was one of nine children. His parents were Joe and Rose Ruzicka. His siblings include the late Joseph Jr., the late Marie Christine (Joseph “Hank”) Kohlberg, Barb (John) Duchek, Steve Ruzicka, Mary “Ellie” (William “Bill”) Hill, Dave (Karen) Ruzicka, Theresa (Craig) Alexander, and Michael (Connie) Ruzicka.
Along with being a devoted family man, John was a proud alumnus of St. Mary’s High School (1976). John worked as a sergeant in the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for thirty-five and a half years and retired in April 2015. After the police department, he continued to work for the city until his full retirement in August 2024. He enjoyed retirement to the fullest.
Outside of work, John loved to perform and entertain. He frequently acted in plays, sang in the church choir, served as a lector, enjoyed karaoke, and even loved to perform as Elvis Presley for various events.
Services; Visitation at Affton Kutis Chapel (10151 Gravois Rd.) on Sunday, November 24 4-8pm. Funeral mass will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church (4092 Blow St.) at 10am on Monday, November 25.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society are greatly appreciated.
Please know my prayers are with you all
My heart grieves for Jeanie and her family. What a wonderful man
Treasure the memories.
Goo knows and is close to the broken hearted.
You have our sympathy, Marge and Doug Munsell St Joseph Imperial Church.
I was with John in many plays at St. Mary’s. John was a happy and fun guy. I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. Even though we have not been in contact for a long time, he will be missed. RIP John.
I am very sorry to read of the passing of John. I taught him at St. Mary’s as well as Will and Fr Jack. So sorry for your loss. I will be praying for John and his family.
Sincerely
Francis Sohm
Retired teacher from St. Mary’s High School.
Jeannie, I’m so very sorry for your loss. I’m praying for you and your family.
Jeanne, I’m so sorry to hear this news. Please accept my sympathies and best wishes for healing.
Jeanne, We are so sorry for your loss. We’ll be praying for you all.
John, along with countless others, I trust that St. Michael the Archangel has welcomed you into eternity. He fought with you as you faced the challenges of police work, illness, and life in general. You now live face to face in the love of the Lord. I’ll always remember the shows we did at St. Mary’s and all of the Beach Boys songs that we sang together. Thank you for your service and the love you gave to so many. Please tell your sister, Eddie, and the rest of your family up in Heaven to join you in prayer for God to give Jeannie and all of your earthly family the strength we need at this time. So long for just awhile.
I went to Immaculate Heart of Mary grade school and St Mary’s with him. I remember him as a kind person. Rest in peace John.
My deepest condolences to you, Jeanie and all your family. I hope you soon find comfort and peace in your hearts. John will be missed. He was a true friend to me and many other people. Peace and Love
Wonderful family man, thank you all for sharing him with the SLPD. John was the absolute, most thorough Officer I worked with. We drove around south SL on nights singing to oldies, a favorite was Mac the Knife. Blessed are the Peace Keepers. John was blessed with his family on Earth. Imagine his future!
Our sincerest condolences to John’s “Bride”, as he always referenced his beautiful wife and his entire family. We have truly missed him since he retired from our work family this past summer and will continue to do so; his smile, sense of humor, productivity and work ethic has left an indelible mark upon us all.
May each of you find peace and comfort in the love and memories he willingly shared with each of us.
City of St. Louis, Division of Civilian Oversight
Please accept my condolences on the passing of John. He was a mentor to me in the police dept when I was starting out as rookie. He talked of his family often and with great pride and love.
Rest in peace, he is with the lord.
We fondly remember the Ruzicka family from IHM very well. We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that our thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. With deepest sympathy, Mr. John (Pohl) and Mrs. Judy (Pohl)
My prayers and condolences on the loss of an outstanding and memorable guy, His energetic enthusiasm stands as an example of life well lived.
Joseph Komadina
Former faculty, St. Mary’ H.S.
My condolences to your family. I enjoyed sitting next to John & Jeanne at many R-K swim meets. As we cheered on our girls we also had many good conversations and laughs. John will be dearly missed.
Jeanne, I am so sorry for your loss!
So many fun memories of doing plays with John at St. Mary’s and NDHS. And skiing in Colorado!
May his memory be a blessing to you!
Our deepest sympathy for your loss .We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time .IHM prayer for us.
Sincerely ,The Magee Family
My time with John goes way back to grade school and early high school and I truly hope I have been a small reflection of what a kind and happy person he was then. It brings me more peace to hear that his special way with people continued throughout his entire life. God bless you all who loved him so deeply and may we all reflect upon who he was as we continue through life aspiring to be more like John as a man of faith in God and people.
Was always glad to see John. Different districts, but same station, so we ran into each other all the time. A pleasure to work with. RIP John. Sincere condolences to the family. (Old friend and neighbor of Ellie and Bill, too.)
Jeanne, our deepest sympathy to you and family. John was such a good person and will be missed by all who knew him.
Sincere condolences to the Ruzicka family.
-Don and Sue Crawford, St. Joseph Imperial
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Father Jack and your whole family. Just reading other comments he sounded like an amazing man. May God help you and comfort you in your time of sorrow. Parishioners of St. Joseph Church in Imperial.
I am truly saddened to hear of John’s passing. He was a king man, a family man and a devoted husband to Jeanne. You know he is a life-long friend when you haven’t been in touch for a long while but when you do meet you pick right back where you left off. Rest easy my friend. You made a difference to me and others. My prayers for Jeanne and his family.
Dear Father Ruzicka.
Our sincerest sympathy & condolences to you and your family. He seemed
to be a very special person and we can see where you get all your wonderful
traits. May God bless & watch over you & your family during sad & difficult
time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Ben & Gail Gross Parishioners of St Joseph in Imperial
John was always pleasant. He will be missed. You all are in my prayers. Condolences from the Ewing family-IHM. God bless you all.
Deepest condolences from The Nettler/Mraz/Figliola families. John’s legacy is his family – I’ve known Will and Fr. Jack as a colleague and friend for years, both of whom are outstanding examples of faith and kindness, know that your family will remain in my prayers. My heart hurts for you.
Deepest sympathies and condolences to the family!
Jeanne I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers & thoughts to you & your family.
You’re in my thoughts and prayers this Thanksgiving. Deepest sympathy to Jeanne and family and all my Ruzicka cousins! Take care of yourselves.
Dear Father Ruzicka.
My sincerest sympathy & condolences to you and your family. Knowing you,
he must have been a ɓeen a fantastic example for your family. May God bless & watch over you & your family during this sad & difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.