John G. Petruna

John G. Petruna, 98, of St. Marys, passed away Thursday, October 8, 2026 following a brief illness.

He was born February 25, 1928 in White Station, PA, son of the late John and Mary Emma Klamar Petrunak. He was the sixth of eight children to John and Mary Emma. He graduated high school in 1946 and spent four years in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1956, where he earned a national defense service medal. During his time with the Navy, he served on the USS Kittiwake ASR-13, a Navy submarine rescue ship, during the Korean War and was a skilled deep sea scuba diver. After the Navy, he attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering, where he graduated in 1960 with a degree in electrical engineering.

Following his schooling, he moved to Emporium and then to St. Marys and worked as an electrical engineer for several years with Sylvania before becoming a stock broker, where he worked for many years before his retirement. John was an avid fisherman and hunter as well as a boat enthusiast. He spent many happy hours pursuing those interests.

On March 25, 1961, in Heilwood, PA, John married his beloved wife, the late Helen Surgent, who preceded him in death on January 29, 1999. They were blessed to share thirty-seven years of marriage.

John is survived by three daughters: Linda, Denise (Paul), and Karen (Al); four grandchildren; his daughter-in-law, Renee; numerous nieces and nephews; and friends he cherished.

In addition to his wife, parents, and siblings, John was preceded in death by his son, John Petruna on October 27, 2025; and a grandson, Matthew Petruna on January 4, 2026. He is the last surviving member of his immediate family and will be greatly missed as he was loved by many.

Family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial which will be held in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church 315 Church Street, St. Marys, PA 15857 on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 10:00AM with Rev. Ignatius Camello, O.S.B., celebrating. Full military honors will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held privately by the family.

Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 315 Church Street, St. Marys, PA 15857 or to the St. Marys Sportsmen’s Club, 1339 Glen Hazel Road, PO Box 958,St. Marys, PA 15857.