Joan Dale Dugan Vratarich, 71, of State College, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas. Born in Uniontown, she was the daughter of the late Donald and Hattie Mae Beatty Dugan. She married the late John Robert Vratarich on Feb. 16, 1957. They were married for 51 years before his death in April of 2008.
She was a 1956 graduate of South Union High School. For most of her life, she was a wonderful, devoted mother and homemaker to her family. She loved to cook and bake for her family and friends, especially during the holidays. Joan assisted and supported John at Tire Town, their family business. She was a past president and member of The Sweet Adelines. A lover and supporter of Penn State sports, she was a group coordinator for Penn State Bowl Trips. She was a former member of The Women of the Moose, Chapter 228, of Uniontown. Since their retirement, Joan and John enjoyed traveling to the South Pacific, the Caribbean, and every state in the USA.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her four sisters and two brothers. Joan is survived by her five children and their families, Karen L. and David Craig, of Williamsburg, Va., John "J.R." and Judi Vratarich and Gary and Tammy Vratarich, of State College, and Susan and Dan Hopkins and Scott and Jo Vratarich, of Eldersburg, Md. Joan left behind her grandchildren who she adored, Gavin Craig and his wife Kelly, Tyler and Nick Hopkins, Matt, Joe and Emily Vratarich and Kyle and Troy Vratarich. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Helen 'Toots' Fordyce, of Uniontown.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, State College. Entombment will be in Centre County Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made in Joan's name to The Catholic Campus Ministry at Penn State, 205C Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, University Park, Pa. 16802 or a charity of your choice.