John Yerina, a loving father of three and grandfather of seven, passed away Saturday, January 28, due to complications following heart surgery.

John's life can be most accurately characterized as one of love for his family and servitude to the Lord Jesus Christ. His journey started on December 26, 1930, when he was birthed to his parents John and Kathryn in Kewtown, Pennsylvania. He attended grade school in McCullough, Pennsylvania, later moving to Buffalo, New York where he would attend Pine Hill High School and graduate in 1949.

After his childhood days, John chose to serve his country at the beginning of the Korean Conflict. John officially joined the Navy in February 1951 as part of the Navy Air Patrol Squadron VP-28. He served with this squadron for the next four years, touring Hawaii, Korea, Okinawa, the Philippines, and Alaska as part of his duty until returning to be stationed in Moffett Field, California where he was discharged in 1955.

His days of service to our country were soon succeeded by marriage and later family life. He took employment with Falstaff Brewery in San Jose California where he met Elizabeth "Bella" O'Connor. She shines as his partner for eternity and they would wed on June 1, 1963. Bella and John first resided in Santa Clara, where their three children, Patrick, Joel, and Stephanie were born. John moved to Thousand Oaks in 1972 where he would work for Draft Systems for the next twenty years and reside for the rest of his life.

Upon retirement John published a weekly newsletter, keeping current all family members from California to Ireland. He was an avid photographer and family historian, constantly keeping records and conducting research of all family ties and events. Along with these hobbies, John also attended the Blessed Sacrament daily. He was a daily communicant but more so a servant of Christ. John lived every day with the Lord by his side and this was evident to everyone who knew him.

John is now survived by his brother, Frank, wife, Bella, three children, Patrick, Joel, and Stephanie, as well as his seven grandchildren, Shane, Jake, Ryan, Michael, Brandon, Jordan, and Colin. His visitation will be held at Griffin Family Funeral Chapels at 101 E Wilbur Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA.

This will be on Wednesday, February 1 from 6:00-7:00 p.m., with a rosary to follow. The funeral will be held on, February 2, 10:30 a.m. at St. Paschal Baylon Church, 154 Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA. Burial immediately after at Assumption Cemetery in Simi Valley. Reception will be at St. Paschal Baylon after burial.

"Indeed, this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in Him shall have Eternal Life" -John 6:40