John R Sapyta

Beloved husband of Linda, loving father of Jonathan (Ying), and doting grandfather to Greyson and Coralin, John was the embodiment of goodness and compassion.

Predeceased by parents John and MaryAnn and sister Nora, John was always ready with kind and gentle assistance. His goodness extended to his sister Patti (John) Kasper and to his brother Thomas. He loved his family and has many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins who will miss him very much.

John was compassionate and always saw the good in people. Many sought his advice, and he always gave careful thought and often prayed before giving it. He was never one to seek the spotlight but would be happy to help it shine on others.

John was good at sports and loved baseball. He ran in local marathons and enjoyed watching the White Sox, Chicago Bears, and the Bulls on television.

He read voraciously, some of his favorite authors being G.K. Chesterton, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Peter Kreeft. One of his dreams was to become a published author, and although this dream did not materialize, he worked tirelessly writing two books, both for elementary students.

John’s Catholic faith was of the utmost importance in his life, and he lived this faith every day.

A graduate of St. Stanislaus Catholic School in East Chicago, John went on to receive degrees from St. Joseph’s College-Calumet and Indiana University. His focus was on becoming a teacher.

His first teaching assignment was at Harbor Catholic Elementary School in East Chicago. He was a wonderful, caring and enthusiastic teacher and his students loved him. Colleagues admired and respected him. Though never seeking praise, he was always ready to give it, especially when it came to his students. He wanted others to be uplifted, to know that they were important and loved. John was a teacher, a truly noble profession.

After receiving his endorsement in Special Education, John joined the faculty at Washington High School in East Chicago. He taught special needs students and, as always, giving his very best. John had an excellent rapport with his students. This was true with everyone who knew him.

McKinley Elementary School in East Chicago was his next assignment. There he taught 5th grade students. For several years he found himself teaching eleven subjects! As always, he tried to do everything perfectly and fairly, often agonizing over grades, especially where grading was subjective (art, for example). John spent many hours after school grading papers and planning for the next day. Many suppers got cold waiting for him to come home.

John’s Catholic faith helped sustain him through many difficult times. He was very honored to be a lector at St. Stanislaus Church. This ministry of the Word was, for John, a great privilege. He always prepared in advance, going over and over the readings, often aloud, and checking pronunciations and seeing where placing emphasis in each passage was required.

Because of this, he proclaimed the Word with such reverence and clarity that members of the congregation would often tell him how much they loved when he had the readings.

Being a humble person, John was a little uncomfortable with the praise, but always sincerely thanked them.

Dearest John, we love you, our hearts are broken. God surely has you with him in Heaven already. Please pray for all of us.

There are no words to adequately express our thanks to those who have helped John throughout his life. To all of you, we ask God to bless you and to give you His peace.

Visitation will be at the Fagen-Miller Funeral Home, 2828 Highway Ave in Highland, on Friday, November 15, 2024 from 4-7 pm. A funeral mass will be held directly at St. James Church, 9640 Kennedy Ave in Highland on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 10:30 am. Burial to follow at St. John / St. Joseph Cemetery in Hammond.

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