Obituary: John Joseph Karvelis

Obituary by James A. Dyal Funeral Home

SFC John J. Karvelis (US Army, Retired), beloved husband of Judy (Noble) Karvelis, went to meet his Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 18, 2013, after a long and courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

Born in Hartford, CT on February 11, 1935, he was the son of the late Joseph and Anna Collard Karvelis.

John retired from the Army after 21 years, having served with 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam and in the Dominican Republic. During his service he was the recipient of many awards, some of which included the Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Parachute Badge, Vietnamese Parachute Badge and the Vietnam Service Medal. After moving to Summerville in 1980 John was employed by the Charleston Naval Shipyard, Sheet Metal, Shop 17, for 13 years until he retired in 1993. During recent years he was employed by Publix. In addition, he served for more than 15 years as a volunteer for the Senior Center in Summerville.

In addition to his wife Judy of 39 years, he is survived by: five daughters: Laurie E. Nericcio (John) of Coventry, CT, Kathy J. Kugler of Summerville, SC, Holly L. Mayer of Moncks Corner, SC, Rosemarie Conti and Maj-Britt (Michael) Paetzold of Wolfsburg, Germany; seven grandchildren: Marissa and Taylor Giuliano, Lindsey Kugler, Nicholas Mayer, Elisabeth Conti-Cioffo, David Conti and Raquel Paetzold; one great-grand-daughter, Livia Conti, a brother, Peter (Toni) Karvelis of Malone, New York, a brother-in-law, Robert (Marge) Noble of Hendersonville, NC and his beloved cat, Callie.

John was an active member of Fellowship of Oakbrook and of the SAFe Sunday School Class.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Jerome Kurent and the devoted staffs of Lutheran Hospice, the VA ALS Clinic and Home-Based Primary Care Team, ComForcare and Griswold Home Care for their loving care and support.

Visitation will be held at James A. Dyal Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 from 6 to 8 o’clock. Funeral Service will be held at Fellowship of Oakbrook, 1400 Trolley Road, Summerville on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 10 o’clock. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to ALS Association, 1023 Wappoo Road, Ste. A19, Charleston, SC 29407 or Fellowship of Oakbrook, Audio Visual Fund, 1400 Trolley Road, Summerville, SC 29485.

A memorial message may be written to the family by visiting our website at www.jamesadyal.com.