Popovic

Mary A. Popovic, 93, of Butler died Friday at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

She was born in Lyndora, Aug. 29, 1916, the daughter of the late Michael and Bertha Bumbera Mikula.

Mary graduated from St. Paul's School in Butler and from Butler High School in 1934.

Mary was employed as the organist at the St. John Roman Catholic Church in Lyndora for 52 years. She also was a substitute organist at the former St. Stanislaus Church, now St. Fidelis worship site, in Lyndora, St. Paul Church in Butler and Holy Sepulcher Church in Glade Mills.

Mary studied organ at Duquesne University and Gregorian chant under the late Rev. Carlo Rossini.

Mary also was employed at the St. John Rectory for 50 years and belonged to the First Catholic Ladies Slovak Association.

While at St. John's, Mary directed three choirs, the men's choir, young ladies' Sodality choir and the boy's choir, ages 10 to 13. Mary also decorated the altars in the church with flowers grown by many of the parishioners. She taught religious education at the church for several years and when Latin was used at Mass, Mary taught the altar boys their Mass prayers.

Her husband, Rudolph J. "Rudy" Popovic, who she married May 30, 1950, preceded her in death on April 28, 2007.

Surviving are her nephews and their wives, John J. and Judith Mikula of Landrum, S.C., and James A. and Mary Anne Mikula of Georgetown, Ky. There are many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews who will miss Mary greatly.

<B>POPOVIC </B>— Friends of Mary A. Popovic, who died Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St. in Butler. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church in Lyndora. Interment will follow at the Calvary Cemetery.The Bereavement Committee of St. Fidelis Parish will meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home to conduct a parish vigil service.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.