John was a 1943 graduate of Westinghouse Memorial High School in Wilmerding and was an Army Air Force veteran of WWII. He also graduated from Penn State University in 1955 with a bachelors degree in forestry. John retired from the Soil Conservation Service in Carlisle after 27 years of service as a soil scientist. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Carlisle, and he enjoyed hunting, fishing and the great outdoors of Pennsylvania.

He is survived by two sons; Mark P. Zarichansky (and his wife, Dr. Rise VanFleet) of Boiling Springs and John M. (and his wife, Faith) Zarichansky of Newville, two daughters; Ann Marie (and her husband, Roger) Marpoe and Christina J. (and her husband, Carl) Sechrist, both of Newville, two brothers; Nicholas of North Huntingdon and Theodore of North Versailles, one sister, Mary Rollo of Wall, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by three brothers; Michael, Andrew and Anthony Zarichansky.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 9, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. in the St. Patrick Catholic Church, 85 Marsh Dr., Carlisle. The Rev. William C. Forrey will celebrate the mass. Burial with military honors by Cumberland County Honor Guard will be in St. Patrick's New Catholic Cemetery, Carlisle. Viewing will be held on Thursday from 7 - 8:00 p.m. in the Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, 630 S. Hanover St., Carlisle, and where a prayer service will take place at 8 p.m.