Joka “Jackie” Galich, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, kuma, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 13th, 2026, at the age of 82. She was born on August 5th, 1944, in the small village of Zaseok near Bosansko Grahovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, to +Momcilo and +Djuka Kovrlija.
After marrying her husband +Ilija “Eli” Galich, Joka came to the United States and made her home in Highland, Indiana, where they built their life and raised their two sons, +Dragan “Dean” Galich and Ilija Galich. She later became a proud grandmother to Mia and Lazar Galich, who brought her joy and new purpose in life.
Joka was a hardworking woman. She worked at Inland Steel Company from the 1980s through the early 1990s and was proud of the life she built through her dedication and perseverance.
Her faith and Serbian heritage were an important part of her life. Joka was a member of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in East Chicago, where she was also a member of the Kolo srpskih sestara. She cherished her connection to her community and traditions.
Joka found great joy in the simple things in life, especially spending time with family, baking, and listening to music. She was especially known for her delicious homemade pita, lovingly made from dough prepared from scratch. She enjoyed all kinds of music, from srpske narodne to the blues, and could appreciate a good song no matter the genre.
Joka will be deeply missed and remembered by her son Ilija (Jovanka); grandchildren Mia and Lazar; sisters Draginja and Zora (Obrad); nephew Dragan; nieces Slobodanka (Miodrag), Biljana and Zora; and many extended family members, kumovi, friends, and loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ilija Eli Galich; her son, Dragan “Dean” Galich; her brother Dragan and Nikola Kovrlija; and her parents Momcilo and Djuka Kovrlija.
Joka’s memory will live on through the family she cherished, the traditions she carried with her, and all those fortunate enough to have known her.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 am, at New Gracanica Monastery in Grayslake, Illinois. Funeral Service begining at 11:00 A.M. , burial and Dač (luncheon) will follow.
May her memory be eternal. Večnaja pamjat .
