BANKALUK, John

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ >>> Published on Friday, September 16, 2016 <<< John Bankaluk, 87, of Lake Havasu City, passed away Aug. 31, 2016. He was born July 26, 1929 to his parents John and Mary Bankaluk. John grew up in Los Angeles, and was a high school graduate of Garfield High in 1948, where he played football and competed in gymnastics. John also resided in Lakewood/Cerritos, Calif. He then became a resident of Lake Havasu City, in 1994. John was employed by Union Pacific Railroad as a brakeman/trainmaster for 40 years. John loved his family and loved to travel. John also enjoyed boating and built his very first boat in 1958 in his brother-in-law’s garage from blueprints. He named his boat “Ku-Lak-Nab”. His love of constructing continued on with him building and working on boat and car engines. John enjoyed working out, water skiing and loved his kitty Susie. John is survived by his loving wife Colleen Bankaluk of Lake Havasu City, daughters Susan Rikerd (Vaughn Olson) of Redlands, Calif. and Rhonda Bankaluk (Doug Wells) of Mission Viejo, Calif., brother Alex Bankaluk, sister Eleanor Taylor of Stanton, Calif., grandsons Christopher Rikerd, John (Jamie) Rikerd and Jamie Rikerd, great- granddaughters Christina Rikerd, Joslyn Elass, Jetta Rikerd and Jordan Rikerd. John is preceded in death by his parents John and Mary Bankaluk and his sister Ann Miller. Services were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to the Bankaluk family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com.