JOHNSTOWN, PA - [Diocesan Chancery] -- With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that + Very Rev. Protopresbyter Michael Slovesko reposed in the Lord, on January 4, 2021.

Funeral arrangements are as follows: 

ALL SERVICES ARE AT SAINTS PETER AND PAUL CHURCH
                              141 Hoffman Farm Road
Windber, PA  15963

Sunday, January 9 – Vesting of Fr. Michael by Deanery priests in Taylor, PA

JOHNSTOWN, PA - [Diocesan Chancery] -- With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that + Very Rev. Protopresbyter Michael Polanichka reposed in the Lord, on December 20, 2021.

Born July 17,1936 in Scranton, PA to the late Nicholas and Susan (Chuvan) Polanichka.Proto. Michael entered the Diocesan Seminary of Christ the Savior in Johnstown, PA in September 1956 and graduated in June 1960.

On June 11, 1960 he married the former Eleanor Jean Hazuda in Nesquehoning, PA and they just celebrated their 61st Wedding anniversary in June 2021. His beloved wife, Pani Eleanor, who was his caregiver for the past 3 years passed away suddenly on November 21, 2021.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Rev Paul Eugene Tobias, the father of  Very Rev. Jonathan Tobias, reposed in the Lord on Sunday, September 22, 2019.

Ordained as a pastor in the Churches of God General Conference in 1959, The Rev. Paul ministered to nine congregations in Indiana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. After semi-retiring in 2001, he continued to serve as an interim pastor for several more congregations before taking on the role of visitation pastor at Kingwood Church, where he finally retired fully in 2016, as pastor emeritus.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Protopresbyter George Havrila, long time priest of the Diocese, reposed in the Lord on Saturday, July 20, 2019.

Funeral  arrangements for Fr. George are as follows:

Thursday, July 25:

3:00 PM - Entrance of the body into Descent of the Holy Spirit Church in Schererville, IN and Panachida, followed by Visitation

7:00 PM - Funeral Service for a Priest

Friday, July 26

9:00 AM - Visitation at The Descent of the Holy Spirit Church, Schererville, IN

10:00 AM - Funeral Divine Liturgy

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Pani Charlotte Conjelko, the wife of Fr. William Conjelko, and the sister of Very Rev. Fr. John Pribish, reposed in the Lord on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

Funeral  arrangements for Pani Charlotte are as follows:

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 9, 2019, at Geisen Funeral & Cremation Services, 7905 Broadway Ave., Merrillville, IN 46410 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM with a Trisagion Service to be held at 5:00 PM. 

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, June 10, 2019, at 10:00 AM DIRECTLY at Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 8000 Madison St, Merrillville, IN 46410.

Pennsylvania arrangements will include Visitation on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 from 9:00 AM (EST) until time of Funeral Service at 11:00AM (EST) at Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, 141 Hoffman Farm Road in Windber, PA.  Interment to follow in Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Cemetery.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Mary Kowarek, the mother of Pani Kathleen Dutko, reposed in the Lord on Thursday, May 24, 2019.

Born July 17, 1920, Mary was the daughter of John and Susan Bolas. She grew up in the First Ward and graduated from Binghamton Central High School. She worked as an administrative assistant at I.B.M. Endicott until her marriage to 2nd Lt. Francis Kowarek in July 1944. Her greatest joy was tending to her home and caring for her family.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Pani Patricia Patrick, the wife of Fr. George Patrick, reposed in the Lord on Saturday January 26, 2019.

Funeral  arrangements for Pani Patricia are as follows:

Tuesday, January 29th  - 7:00 pm Panachida at Gilbert Funeral Home, 1638 Lincoln Way in White Oak, PA,  with viewing from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM.  

Wednesday January 30th - 10:00 AM - Funeral Service, St. Michael’s Church, 424 Ninth Street in McKeesport, PA with Interment at Mount Vernon Cemetery, 2300 Greenock Buena Vista Road in McKeesport. 

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that + ANNA EVANISKO, age 100, the mother of Pani Connie. Anna fell-asleep in the Lord on Friday September 14, 2018 after a very brief illness. She would have celebrated her 101st birthday on December 11th.

Anna was the daughter of John and Mary (Semankovich/Felix) Lesko. Preceded in death by her parents, husband of 65 years George Sr. who passed in 2002, brother John Lesko and sisters Mary Muchesko, Margaret Lesko and an infant sister. Survived by son George Sr married to Evelyn (Matchik), daughter Pani Constance married to the Very Reverend Protopresbyter Frank P. Miloro, all of Johnstown, and grandchildren Tamara, married to Deacon Gregory Benc, Watchung, NJ, Sonya Evanisko, Shepherdstown, WV, George Jr, Gainesville, VA, Alexandra Vatuvuk, Stephanie married to James Kobal, Christopher married to Roxanne (Kordish), all of Johnstown, Anastasia and husband Nick Tabb, Shepherdstown, WV. 16 great-grandchildren Victoria Schmidt, Michael Long, Tatianna Evanisko-Long, Jonah Strenski, Alexandra Benc, Anastasia Benc, Kyra Vatavuk, Symeon Kobal, Katarina Vatavuk, Sophia Evanisko, George Evanisko III, Xenia Kobal, Nicholas Benc, Nykos Kobal, Alexander and Asher Tabb. And many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Pani Mary Kundla, the wife of the late Fr. Stephen Kundla, reposed in the Lord on Friday, August 24, 2018.

Funeral arrangements for Pani Mary are as follow: Monday August 27 - 6- 8 pm Visitation at the Bowser Funeral Home in Homer City, PA. The Panachida Service will take place at 7 PM. Tuesday August 28 - Brief service at the funeral home at 10:30 AM, followed by the Funeral Service at 11:30 AM in St. Michael Church, Clymer PA with interment at Greenwood Cemetery, Indiana, PA. A funeral luncheon will follow at St. Michael Church.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Mildred Paproski, the mother of Very Rev. Protopresbyter Peter Paproski, reposed in the Lord on Tuesday, June 5, 2018.

Mildred Summers Paproski the wife of the late Henry Paproski, was born on August 28, 1930 in Danbury, CT to the late George and Harriett (Case) Summers and has been a life long Newtown, CT resident. She was a bookkeeper for Nutmeg Cleaners, and previously worked for Lovell’s Farm Equipment, and the Paproski family farm, Castle Hill Farm in Newtown.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Pani Magdalene Blaschak, the wife of Fr. Thomas Blaschak, reposed in the Lord on Sunday, May 20, 2018.

Funeral arrangements for Pani Magdalene are as follow: Wednesday, May 23rd - 6:00 PM - Panachida at St. John’s Church, Hermitage with viewing and visitation at the Church until 8:00 PM. Thursday, May 24th - 11:00 AM - Funeral Service, St. John’s Church, Hermitage, PA with Interment in the Parish Cemetery, followed by a Memorial Meal in the Parish Hall.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Pauline Palumbo, the mother of Pani Paula Kossey, reposed in the Lord on Wednesday, April 4, 2018.

Funeral Services will held at Sts Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Windber, PA on Bright Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Calling hours will take place on Bright Tuesday, April 10th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6- 8:00 PM at Kisiel Funeral Home (1015 Graham Avenue in Windber, PA, with the singing of the Funeral Service of Resurrection Matins at 7 PM. Divine Liturgy is on Bright Wednesday at 10 AM in SS. Peter and Paul’s Church in Windber.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Lawrence Beck, the father of Pani Carol Paproski, reposed in the Lord on Monday, February 12, 2018.

Funeral Services will held at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 305 Washington St., New Britain on Thursday, February 14, 2018. Burial will follow at the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cemetery. Calling hours will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 14th, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington followed by a Panikhida service at 7:00 p.m.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Vera Fetchina, mother Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Fetchin, reposed in the Lord on January 23, 2018.

Funeral Services will held at Saint Andrew's Russian Orthodox Cathedral at 707 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123 on Friday January, 26. Visitation will take place at the Church at 10:30am, with the Funeral Service to follow at 11:30am.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With great sorrow, the Diocesan Chancery announces the falling asleep in the Lord of Pani Anna Kozar, the wife of the late, Very Rev. Protopresbyter Elias Kozar, Pastor Emeritus of St. Mary's Orthodox Church of Yonkers, NY. on Friday, October 27th.

Pani Anna was born in New York City, on December 8, 1925, to the late Konstantine and Anna (Herko) Yanoscik and was educated in New York City schools. After graduation, she worked for the Morgan Guaranty Trust Company in Manhattan. During the 1980's she worked for Martinelli Publications in Yonkers.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With great sorrow, the Diocesan Chancery announces the falling asleep in the Lord of Very Rev. Fr. Charles Sunderland, on Sunday, October 22.

Father Charles.served our Diocese for many years, after embracing Orthodoxy in 1975. He served several parishes in Indiana until founding our Diocesan St. Alexis Parish in Lafayette He served there until he retired in 2001 when he moved to Grand Junction, Colorado.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With great sorrow, the Diocesan Chancery announces that Matushka Catherine Jula reposed in the Lord on Monday, August 7. 2017.

Matushka Catherine Jula (Jugan), age 83, was the beloved wife of the late V. Rev. Dr. Stephen Jula, the founding pastor of our Diocesan Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church in North Royalton, Ohio . She is survived by her children Ilarion (Rita), Maria Jula, and Anthony (Linda), her grandchildren Stephanie, Catherine, Megan, and Nathaniel and siblings Helen Hart, Millie Muir, George and Donald, She was pre-deceased by parents Michael and Mary (nee Kozar) Jugan, one sister and five brothers.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With great sorrow, the Diocesan Chancery announces the falling asleep in the Lord of Very Rev. Protopresbyter Elias Kozar, Pastor Emeritus of St. Mary's Orthodox Church of Yonkers, NY. early this morning (Sunday June 11, 2017).

Father Elias was born on January 19, 1926 in Dickson City, Pennsylvania, the son of Elias, Sr. and Anna Kozar. On January 25, 1948 he was married to Anna Yanoscik and he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence, Metropolitan Orestes Chornock on February 1, 1948 in Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church on 10th Street in New York City. He was elevated to Protopresbyter in October, 1976 by His Grace, +Bishop John Martin.

Father Elias served as Dean of the Eastern Seaboard Deanery which consisted of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and President of the Westchester, NY Orthodox Clergy Fellowship.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With Great sorrow, the Diocesan Chancery announces the falling asleep in the Lord of Metropolitan Philotheos of Meloa, the sole surviving Consecrator of His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas on May 11, 2017 following a short illness.

JOHNSTOWN, PA [Diocesan Chancery] The words of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (Revelation 22:13) come to mind as His Grace, Bishop Gregory and the clergy and faithful of the Diocese mourn the passing to eternal life of both a junior and a senior priest of the Diocese within a twenty four hour period.