John F. Czaja of Whitehouse Station, NJ, passed away peacefully at home on October 13, 2020 at the age of 100 years and 9 months surrounded by daughter Sally Czaja, son Stephen Czaja (Edi), and son-in-law Bob Schoenfeld.  John was born in Chicago on December 27, 1919, raised his family in Franklin Park, IL, and lived for several years in Janesville, WI before moving to New Jersey.

During WWII, John provided communications for the 422nd Field Artillery Regiment. They were attached to the Third Army when they landed in England.  Moving through France into Belgium with various units and with Patton’s Third Army during the Battle of the Bulge, they provided Artillery support and communications for the 9th & 10th Armored and 4th and 5th Infantry divisions. They then spent 5 weeks pushing the German lines back through the Ardennes Forest while providing communications for the 11th Armored, 17th Airborne and 87th Infantry Division Artilleries. His decorations include the American Campaign medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater ribbon with 4 bronze battle stars, the World War II Victory medal, 1 Service stripe, 2 Overseas Service bars, and a Good Conduct medal.

He was a hard worker who provide a good life for his family.  After his service, John worked for the same major food distributor for 47 years, originally Royal Blue in Chicago, which was purchased by Consolidated Foods (now Sara Lee) in River Grove and subsequently by Wayco Food in Elk Grove.

His favorite pastimes were Sudoku puzzles, jigsaw puzzles (the more pieces the better!) and talking with people.  His trademarks were never complaining or wanting to put anyone out, constantly thinking of others, lending an ear to those needing to talk and always being a giving person.  Even at age 100 he was an eager participant in the Gentle Exercise program at the Hunterdon Senior Center and had many good friends there.  While living in Whitehouse Station, John enjoyed shoveling snow from a 115-foot walkway every winter. He will be deeply missed by everyone who is now better for having known this Honorable Soul.

In 2017, at the spry age of 97, John toured 35 states around the U.S. in an RV with Sally and Bob visiting friends, family, historic sites (some older than him) and making new friends.  One touching moment for John came following the flag ceremony at Mount Rushmore, when it was announced a WWII veteran was present.  He was honored by the attending veterans from subsequent conflicts who formed a line to shake hands or take a picture with him. He was further honored by other families who wanted his picture with their children.

John received a Joint Legislative Resolution from the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly recognizing his courage, determination and loyalty in his service to our country.  At his 100^th birthday party U.S. Representative Tom Malinowski presented John with a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol in recognition of his service during WWII. John also received proclamations from Hunterdon County and Readington Township for his 100^th birthday noting his service in WWII, and subsequent 74 years of active life.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Loretta, beloved daughter Rita Czaja, sister Victoria Leszczynski and brothers Frank Czaja, Stanley Czaja, Joe Czaja, and John Czaja.

He is survived by grandsons Aaron Schoenfeld (Malia, and great grandson Finn) and Seth Schoenfeld (Krista, and great grandchildren Oliva and Joel Romano) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation at the Chapel of Ewing Crematory, Ewing Township, NJ, was private under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822.

John will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery, with the date of the internment service to be announced on this page once known.

Please visit John’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to his favorite charities–Little City (Palatine, IL), VFW, Paralyzed Veterans of America, or Easter Seals–would be greatly appreciated.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”