World War II veteran, John “Jack” Cataline, died peacefully in his Kent, WA home on September 2, 2017 at the age of 89. Jack was born on January 3, 1928 in Tancony, PA, and grew up an only child.
Jack attended Frank Ford High School until his sophomore year when in 1943, he joined the Navy at the age of 15. Jack was assigned to the 2 nd ship of the USS Chicago in World War II. He was a gunnars maid and was responsible for loading the turrets.
Following his first marriage, Jack met Donna. Donna and Jack were married for 45 years, until she passed in 2004. Jack and Donna volunteered at the local elementary school, where their youngest granddaughter attended. They were awarded the key to the city for their work at Scenic Hill Elementary and enjoyed every moment spent with the kids.
Jack’s hobbies included racing pigeons, which he held the position of Club President of the East Hill Invitational Pigeon Racing Club. After retiring from pigeon racing Jack kept many of birds for years, because of the love he had for each bird.
A few years after the passing of his wife Donna, Jack met Shirley Rawley in 2007. He felt very blessed to have found two very special women to share his life with. Jack and Shirley spent almost 10 years together until Shirley passed in March 2016.
He is survived by his son, James “Jim” Merryman; his granddaughters Meagan Merryman-Brown, Carrie Merryman and Jessica Merryman; his 5 great-grandchildren and his two great great-grandchildren. Jack is also survived by Shirley’s daughter, Michelle Finseth, and her 3 children who have always considered him to be their Papa Jack. He is preceded in death by his wife, Donna; his son, Mel and his grandson, Jaime, who died in infancy.
Jack was a very special man who was loved by so many. We were each blessed by his presence in our lives. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
The service will be on September 16, at 1:00 pm at Marlatt Funeral home in Kent, WA. An online guest book can be found on the Marlatt website. Flowers may be sent to the funeral home at 713 Central Ave. N., Kent, WA 98032. There will be a celebration of life dinner to follow at a later time and will posted at the Kent Senior Center.
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