Svetolik “Steve” Jasnic, 84, of Crown Point, IN passed away on Friday, June 21, 2024. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Ivanka “Evonne” (nee Lackovic-Pekovic); son, Branko (Mirjana), daughter, Milena (Nathan) Lawyer; grandchildren, Kristina, Madeline, Sofia and Jack; sister, Stamenka Ristic; brothers-in-law, Ilija (Stojana) Lackovic, Dragan (+Milanka) Jokic; numerous Kumovi, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vukoje and Miladija “Mica.”.\
Steve was born in Kratina-Lešak, Kosovo on April 16, 1940. After World War II, he and his mother, Miladija, immigrated to the U.S. and were reunited with his father, Vukoje, in January 1955. He attended Horace Mann and Emerson High Schools. After high school, Steve joined the United States Army where he served for four years. In 1966, Steve met the love of his life while participating in his church choir at St. Elijah. He and Ivanka married on June 3, 1967, and soon after began a family of their own. Steve worked at U.S Steel for 35 years until he retired in 1994. Additionally, he was a founding member of St. Elijah Serbian Church and Hall as well as a member of SNF Lodge #170 “Srbija.”
In 1994 he and his wife took an extended vacation out West where they instantly fell in love with the landscape and topography as it reminded Steve of his homeland of Kosovo. Arizona became their home away from home where he lived the best years of his life. There he became an avid hiker and belonged to many clubs and served as a guide. Steve also had a love of soccer and football, and he spent countless hours gardening. In addition to his many talents, his grace on the dance floor to Serbian kolos was unparalleled.
He was a hard-working family man who had a tenacity for perfection in everything he did. He was proud of each one of his grandchildren and had a special bond whether it be sitting in his infamous spot on the couch watching “Tom and Jerry” cartoons or Westerns with Kristina and Sofia while pointing to their bare feet as a reminder to put some socks on, taking road trips with Maddie and Jack, teaching how to drop kick a soccer ball, or catching a Cubs pre-season game. He was loved and respected by all who knew him.
Visitation was at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel in Merrillville. Funeral service was at St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Cathedral with Very Reverend Father Aleksandar Novakovich officiating. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery.
Memory eternal.
