Alex Pribis, 97, of Lyndora, passed away peacefully Monday morning, at the Community Living Center at the VA Butler Healthcare.

Born Feb. 26, 1920, in Alliance, Ohio, he was a son of the late John and Laura (Nowinchiski) Pribis.

He was a retired welder from Pullman Standard. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1937, and worked in Sligo, Pa., and Carlsbad, N.M., building irrigation ditches to provide water from the Colorado River to the desert for farming.

On Oct. 28, 1941, Al was drafted into the U.S. Army. A World War II veteran, Al fought in Africa, Anzio, Italy, Germany, Austria and France. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant Oct. 23, 1945.

Alex enjoyed golfing, bowling and square dancing. He also loved gardening and his small farm in West Sunbury. He was a member of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Butler, where he was an usher. He helped at the South Butler Fire Hall with their fish dinners for many years.

Alex is survived by his favorite nephew, Richard Pribis and his wife, Mary, of Butler; his grandnephews, Richard J. Pribis (Meredyth), John P. Pribis (Dr. Sodam Kim) and Matthew J. Pribis; great-niece Dr. Maria (Thomas) Pribis-Kail; and a great-great- nephew and a great-great- niece. Alex is also survived by his brother Victor’s daughters, Kim and Carla, along with their families.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Garnet, and his very dear friend, Ruth Van Buren; his brothers, Ray, Victor, Joe and Henry Pribis; and his sister, Helen (Paul) Kosuth.

The family would like to thank the CLC at the VA Hospital for their outpouring of love, care and compassion during Al’s illness. The VA adult day care gave Al purpose in his last years, and Al loved going there. The family thanks the whole VA support system.

PRIBIS — Friends of Alex Pribis, who died Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, will be received from 3 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, at Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday, at noon, at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., Butler. Everyone attending is asked to please meet at the church. Interment with military honors will be provided by the American Legion Post 778, in Lyndora and the VFW Post 249, in Butler. Honor guard will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Butler.

In lieu of flowers they would ask that all donations be made in memory of Alex Pribis to the CLC at the VA Hospital, 325 New Castle Road, Butler, Pa., 16001.

For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.geibelfuneralhome.com.