John R. Prokopchak
John R. Prokopchak, 79, of Butler passed away Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. The Lord called him home in a peaceful manner with his family by his side.
John was born Nov. 28, 1941, in Butler.
He retired from the Butler Area School District in 2007, following 39 years of service as a teacher and reading specialist. Over the years, John worked at all 11 elementary schools in the district. John also taught at the Butler County Community College and Slippery Rock University. He brought out the best in his students through his dedication to teaching, mixed with his quick-witted humor.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.He was a member of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church in Lyndora.John was highly active in the community. He was a member of the Slovak Sokal Club in Lyndora, the Lyndora American Legion Post 778, the Italian Club, the French and Belgium Club, the R.C. Men's Club, and the Butler Elks, where he served as exalted ruler and was a past district deputy of Pennsylvania West.He was a tremendous supporter of youth sports. John was inducted into the Butler Football Hometown Heroes for his years of service as the team statistician. He also enjoyed golfing, playing billiards, hunting and fishing, antiquing at various flea markets and taking his chance on scratch-off tickets. Most of all, he especially enjoyed his time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchild.Family was the heart of John's life. He was proud and honored to be the patriarch, father, grandfather and great-grandfather to his large family. He was a major presence in the lives of his children and grandchildren, and made them who they are today.This humble, loving, caring and wonderful man has left a permanent mark etched on his family's hearts and will be supremely missed by his wife and best friend of 57 years.Surviving is his wife, Jane (McGregor) Prokopchak, whom he married June 22, 1963; his four children, Richard (Karrie) Prokopchak of Columbus, Ohio, Rhonda (Jim) Meehan of Freeport, Rachel (Greg) Faulk of Butler, and Tom (Tammy) Prokopchak of Mansfield, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Jakeb, Hannah, Madison, Colin, Abby, Katie and Julia; one great-grandchild, Ari; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his father, “Jake” Prokopchak.PROKOPCHAK — Friends of John R. Prokopchak, who died Saturday, April 24, 2021, will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.Funeral services will be private.Donations are requested to be made to The Elks Home Services, PA Elks Major Projects Inc., 703 Georgian Place, Somerset, PA 15501.For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.geibelfuneralhome.com.
