Obituary for John Ivan Beresic

John Ivan Beresic was welcomed home June 18, 2014. At first, the angels stood behind his bed guarding his every breath. Later, as his breath began to fade, the angels hovered above him, gently lifting his spirit into the heavenly hands of God.
It was the simple things in life that he never took for granted, commenting daily how fortunate and thankful he was. Above all, he was absolutely devoted to his wife of 51 years, Elizabeth Ann. He was a man of strong faith, believing in the power and strength of Jesus Christ’s love and beauty and peace that would await him after his passing.
John had a loyal group of friends that he entertained with his jokes since moving to Payson from Phoenix in 1993. He had a love of many things — he enjoyed shooting the breeze with friends at Tiny’s; he loved good food; he loved guns and was a supporter of the NRA. John was a member of Sy Harrison Lodge No. 70, F. & A. M. and Ponderosa Chapter No. 64, O. E. S. in Payson as well as El Zaribah Shrine and the Sheriff’s Association.
John was born on Sept. 10, 1926 and grew up in Beaver Falls, Pa. He moved to Phoenix in 1944. He met Elizabeth in 1961 and the two began their journey together in 1963. The couple built and ran successfully Frontier Electric Company. They retired in 1993.
John leaves behind his beautiful wife, Elizabeth; niece, Arlene Kowaliski; nephews, James, Ben, Danny and Tommy. His friends, Peter and Jacqueline Maffia, also survive him. They loved him and they were as good a son and daughter to him as could be, especially in the last year. John hopes, however, that all will grieve his passing only as long as necessary. They have much living and good work still to do, and they should get busy doing it. Time is flying by.
Friends are warmly invited to join John’s family at his funeral service at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 21, 2014 at Sy Harrison Lodge No. 70, F. & A. M., 200 E. Rancho Rd., Payson. Burial will follow at Mountain Meadows Memorial Park. For those who would like, contributions to Daughters of the Nile, in care of the lodge, have been encouraged.