Rekich

John Stanley Rekich, 89, of 127 Grove Ave., Butler Township, passed away at 1:15 p.m. on Thursday.

Born on Aug. 28, 1923, in Lyndora, he was the youngest son of Stephen and Sophia Liscz Rekich.

A World War II veteran, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 1943 and was assigned to the 300th Combat Engineer Battalion, where he held the rank of corporal. He received four battle stars and fought in General Bradley's and General Patton's armies. After returning from the war, he used the GI Bill to attend bricklaying school.

Mr. Rekich worked at Pullman Standard Rail Car Co. for 40 years and retired when the plant closed in 1982.

He was a member of St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church in Lyndora. Always working with the church, he installed the stained glass windows in the church with his brother, Ted Rekich.

Mr. Rekich was a member of American Legion Post 778 in Lyndora and VFW Post 249.

Mary Esther Kelly, his beloved wife, passed away on Jan. 24, 2008. The two were married on Dec. 1, 1951.

He is survived by three children, Marianne (Bob) Long, John A. Rekich and Jim Rekich, all of Butler; five grandchildren, R.J. Long, Amber (Ryan) Muschick, Ryan (Emily) Rek-ich, Brandon Rekich and Alyssa Rekich; one great-grandchild, Mason Rekich; as well as a great many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, three sisters and three brothers.

REKICH — Friends of John Stanley Rekich, who died Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, will be received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church, 303 Penn Ave., Lyndora. The Rev. George Palick will officiate.Interment with military honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Butler.The bereavement committee of St. Fidelis Parish will meet at 3 p.m. Monday at the funeral home for a vigil service.