Heartbreaking: Iryna Zarutska’s Parents Couldn’t Attend Her Funeral in the US or Bring Her Body Home — Until a Late-Night Call Changed Everything

Iryna Zarutska, 29, left Ukraine for the United States two years ago, carrying hopes for a brighter future. She worked long hours at a small bakery in Chicago and often sent money home to help her parents repair their old family house. Though her life was modest, it was filled with hope.

Tragically, in early September, Iryna suddenly passed away after an unexpected illness. Her parents, Oleh and Natalia Zarutska, were devastated by the news while thousands of miles away in Kyiv. Their only daughter — “our sunshine,” as her mother described — was gone.

What made the heartbreak even worse was that they had no means to travel to the US to attend her funeral or bring her body back home. War had severely impacted their finances. International flights, visas, and arrangements to transport Iryna’s body were beyond their reach. They feared they would never say goodbye to her in person.

Then, in the depths of their grief, a late-night phone call changed everything. At 2:17 a.m. Kyiv time, Johnny Joey Jones, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and advocate for veterans and families in crisis, called the Zarutskas. He promised to cover all expenses — visas, plane tickets, accommodations, and paperwork — so they could travel to America.

“No parent should be denied the chance to say goodbye,” Jones said. “If I can ease even a part of this pain, then that’s what I will do.” His compassion gave the family a glimmer of hope.

Jones, who lost both legs in an IED explosion during his service in Afghanistan, is known for his resilience and quiet generosity — paying for funerals, helping wounded veterans, and supporting families in crisis. For the Zarutskas, his call was nothing short of a miracle.

Within days, their visas were expedited, flights booked, and volunteers from veteran organizations in Poland and the US helped them navigate the complex process. When Oleh and Natalia arrived at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, they were greeted by strangers holding flowers and signs with Iryna’s name — veterans, Ukrainians, and church volunteers who came to support them.

The funeral was simple but deeply moving. Many of Iryna’s coworkers, many immigrants themselves, attended. A choir from a local Ukrainian church sang softly as her parents placed their hands on the casket. Jones stood quietly at the back, leaning on his crutches, choosing not to speak publicly but offering words of comfort afterward: “You loved her first, and you loved her best. I just wanted to make sure you could tell her that one more time.”

News of Jones’ kindness spread quickly on social media, hailed as “the most American story of the year” — a veteran ensuring another family would not suffer unbearable regret. But Jones humbly said, “This isn’t about me. It’s about a young woman whose life was cut short, and two parents who deserved the chance to say goodbye. If we lose our humanity in moments like this, what do we have left?”

After the funeral, Jones continued to support the Zarutskas by covering the costs and coordinating the transport of Iryna’s body back to Ukraine. On the day of departure, Oleh and Natalia stood beside the coffin draped in a white cloth embroidered with Ukrainian flowers.

“We are taking her home,” Oleh whispered. “We are bringing her back where she belongs.”

This story is more than a family’s tragedy and one man’s kindness — it is a powerful reminder that compassion can cross borders and heal even the deepest wounds, especially in times of division.