Ćiro Alavanja passed away on February 19, 2026, with his devoted wife of 68 years, Soka, and sons at his side. Ćiro was born on July 25, 1938, in Kula Atlagić, Dalmatia, to Lazar and Sofia Alavanja. After graduating from technical school in Zagreb, he began working at Yugoplastika in Benkovac to provide for his family. In June of 1966, Ćiro and Soka immigrated to the United States with their three sons. They came to East Chicago, Indiana, where they joined Soka’s parents, Đuro and Stana Vukas. Ćiro and Soka were blessed with a fourth son, George, in 1969.
In 1972, Ćiro brought his brother, Špiro, to the United States with his wife, Soka, and son, Ratomir. His brother, Dusan, joined them in the United States two years later.
Ćiro and Soka joined the congregation of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church shortly after their arrival in East Chicago. Later, they were founding members of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Schererville, Indiana. Ćiro was also a longtime member of the Movement of Serbian Chetniks Ravna Gora in Schererville.
Ćiro was known for his strong work ethic. Immediately after arriving in the United States, he started working at Hart Schaffer Marx in Chicago and then at Givens Manufacturing in East Chicago, as a sewing machine repairman. Later, he worked at Budd Company in Gary and finally for General Motors Company.
Ćiro enjoyed working in his garage and playing bocce ball and tablić with friends at the Chetnik club. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and watching his grandsons and great grandchildren grow up. He was very proud of his family’s accomplishments.
Ćiro was preceded in death by his beloved son George, parents Lazar and Sofia, sisters Pera (Živko) Stegnjaic and Mileva (Jovo) Jokić, brother Simo “Trive,” stepmother Trnjina, and cousin Ray Vukas.
He is survived by his wife Soka; sons Milan (Koviljka), Branko (Dragica), and Jovan; grandchildren Branko (Lauren), Jovan (Milena), Aleksandar, Stevan (Nicoletta), Nikola (Melissa), Gino, Ilija, Isak, and Milan; great grandchildren Luka, Aleksandar, Sofia, Oliver, Ana, Gianna, Emilia, Aria, Luzia, Gino, Iyla, Nikola, and Milena; siblings Špiro (Soka), Archimandrite Leontije, Dušan (Dragica), Marija (Srboljub) Cupač, and Ljubica (Predrag) Stegnjaic, and their families; cousins Marian Vukas, Fred (Donna) Vukas, and Violet (Jovan) Tica and their families; and many Kumovi and friends in the United States, Serbia, and Australia.
Funeral Service will be held at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, Schererville on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Visitation: 9:00-10:00 a.m. Funeral Opelo: 10:00 a.m. At rest, Calumet Park Cemetery.
May his memory be Eternal!
