George Milich Sr.
George Milich Sr., 88, of Butler fell asleep in the Lord peacefully Saturday at his home.
Born March 14, 1929, in Lyndora, he was a son of the late Rade and Mildred Kosavac Milich.
He was employed at ARMCO Steel, where he earned the nickname “Moon.” He became known throughout the mill for his contagious smile and trademark handshake saying, “Pardon the Iron Grip.” He retired in 1990 with more than 45 years of service.
He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War aboard the U.S.S. Mann and was honorably discharged.
George was a formative member of the Prospect Boys and Girls Club. He was known as “Papa Bear” to a generation of Prospect boys, while coach of the Prospect Cubs. He served as former president of the club and was instrumental in securing the property on which it currently resides.
He was devout and strong in his faith. A lifetime member of St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Lyndora, he selflessly served the church in a variety of duties including church council president. Pierogi season would often find him in the church basement peeling potatoes or covered in flour “Rolling in the dough.”
A member of American Legion Post 778 in Lyndora, he served as post commander and oversaw the construction of and relocation to the Post's new facility on Kohler Avenue.
An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing and trapping throughout his life. In his first attempt at archery at the age of 85, he bagged a deer on his first shot. He particularly enjoyed raising and training beagles, and those who spent a day hunting rabbits with him always had a story to tell.
Devoted to his family, George and his wife, Bonnie, played host to many nieces and nephews before having children of their own. It was a sought-after treat to spend time at the log cabin with “Uncle Dood.”
More than anything else, he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. Whether it was a boisterous and highly competitive game of cards, a school activity or impromptu talent contest, nothing gave him greater pleasure.
Surviving are his wife, Bonnie Hackett Milich, who he married Oct. 18, 1958; four sons, Rade (Janet) Milich of West Sunbury, Daniel (Roni) Milich of Cranberry Township, George (Barbara) Milich of Portersville and William (Rebecca) Milich of Butler; nine grandchildren, Brittainy, Joshua, Rob, Devin, Nicholas, Danielle, Molly, Jillian and Jackson; three great-grandchildren, Maddox, Brielle and Cade; three sisters, Stella DeLess, Lillian Reott and Dorothy Hays; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, four sisters, three cousins and one grandson, Zachary.
MILICH — Friends of George Milich Sr., who died Saturday, May 13, 2017, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St. Butler.Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Andrew Orthodox Church, 201 Penn Ave, Lyndora, with the Rev. Keith Lowe to officiate. Interment will follow at the Butler County Memorial Park.A panachida service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or in support of local veterans groups.For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.geibelfuneralhome.com.
