Joseph Peter (Joe) Heruska

Mr. Joseph “Joe” Peter Heruska, 66, of Statesville, passed away peacefully, after a long illness, with his wife by his side, on Saturday, August 27, 2016, at the Gordon Hospice House. Mr. Heruska was born in Rahway, NJ on January 20, 1950 to the late George John Heruska and Phyllis Lee Heruska.  Joe lived in Kenilworth, NJ as a child and moved to Statesville with his parents and seven siblings when Flexnit Knitting started in Statesville.  He was a graduate of Statesville High School and received his associates degree from CVCC in Auto Mechanic. On January 20, 1971, he married Andrea Ward Heruska, his high school sweetheart, and they shared 45 years together before his death. Joe retired from JPS Composites after 46 years of service. He was a very loyal and devoted husband to his wife, Andrea, and a loving father and grandfather.  He also enjoyed helping his late father coach women’s softball.  He was very proud of his son Ricky for his service to his country and his daughter Christy’s accomplishments and going to her dance recitals.  Most of all, he was very proud of the values that are being instilled in his grandchildren by his son Ricky and Gracie as well as Jeff and Christy.  He loved so much to spend time with his grandchildren and, of course, spoil them.  He will be deeply missed by his family who loved him so. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Ann Heruska, his father-in-law, Charles Ward, and a sister-in-law, Kieko Okada Heruska. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Andrea, of the home, one son, TSgt (Ret. USAF) Richard E. Heruska and his wife Graceland, their children, Bo J. and Savannah F. Heruska, all of Seattle, WA, a daughter, Christy E. Warner and her husband Jeffrey, their children, Jacob C. and Caitlin E. Warner, all of Garner, NC.  He is also survived by three brothers, MSgt (Ret. US Army) George “Butch” Heruska of Statesville, Michael Heruska of Winston-Salem, NC and David Heruska of Valdosta, GA and three sisters, Phyllis “Ginger” Heruska of Chapel Hill, NC, Ruth Heruska of Durham, NC and Jayne Davenport of Greensboro, NC.  He is further survived by his mother-in-law, Lois Tolbert Ward, of Vero Beach, FL. Funeral service for Joe Heruska will be conducted at 11:00 am Thursday, September 1, 2016, in the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dr. J.B. Parker, Jr officiating.  Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.  The family will visit with friends on Wednesday afternoon from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Joe Heruska.