Joseph (Josip) F. Juras, 88, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2024. Joe was born February 14, 1936, in Marija Bistrica, Croatia, the eldest child of Stjepan and Ana (Kovacic) Juras. He worked as an engineer with Rade Koncar in Zagreb before emigrating to Ontario Canada in 1967, where 3 of his brothers had settled in the Toronto area. He then moved to the United States in 1971, and Valparaiso became his home. In the US, he worked in electrical and information systems with Budd Company and ultimately retired from USX. Joe was a longtime member of St. Joseph the Worker Croatian Catholic Church, and he was active in the Croatian cultural community in NWI, Chicago, and also the Clearwater/Tampa area where he spent his winters during retirement. Joe was an avid gardener, and in his younger years enjoyed winemaking, cycling, and swimming. He lived the American dream, was a proud US citizen, and always cherished his beautiful Hrvatska domovina.

Joseph is survived by his daughter Christine, grandchildren Ava and Steven; brothers Peter, Rudy (Milica), sister Milka (late Ljubek), sisters-in-law Kathy and Marica, and many beloved nieces and nephews in Croatia, Canada, and in Florida. He was preceded in death by brothers Tom Juras and Drago Juras, son-in-law David Rozmanich.

A Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at Solan Pruzin Funeral Home, 14 Kennedy Ave., Schererville, IN. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, December 20, directly at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 509 W Division Rd, Valparaiso, IN. Burial to follow at Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso, IN.