Chernick

Sarge Chernick, 83, of Sunflower Road in Butler died Monday at the Butler Memorial Hospital.

He was born March 1, 1926, in North Butler, a son of the late Paul and Mary Gaydos Chernick.

Sarge was a tractor driver for the Armco Steel Corp. and retired in 1983 following 37 years of service.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served in World War II and was awarded the Pacific Theatre Ribbon and the Victory Medal.

He was a lifelong member of the Unionville Volunteer Fire Department. He also belonged to American Legion Post 117 and the North Street Christian Church.

Two of Sarge's favorite leisure pastimes were foraging for wild mushrooms and fishing.

Surviving are his wife, Genevieve Costa Chernick, who he married Oct. 15, 1949. Also surviving are two daughters, Sharon Chernick of Butler and Mrs. Pamela (Doug) Balensiefen of Percellville, Va.; and two grandchildren, Shannon and Connor Fineran of Virginia.

Sarge was one of nine brothers and sisters. Surviving are three sisters, Mrs. Olga Heddle of Chicora, Mrs. Hellen Drozda of West Chester, Pa., and Mrs. Margaret "Peggy" (Ron) Fair of Butler.

Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him.

Two brothers and three sisters preceded him in death.

<B>CHERNICK </B>— Friends of Sarge Chernick, who died Monday, June 22, 2009, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday from the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Huber, pastor of the North Street Christian Church, officiating. Interment will follow at the Greenlawn Burial Estates.Memorial donations may be made to the Unionville Volunteer Fire Department, 102 Mahood Road, Butler, PA 16001.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.