Matthew Puskarich

WWII vet, dedicated church member, formerly of Cokeburg

Matthew Puskarich, 97, of Ashtabula, Ohio, formerly of Cokeburg, died Sunday, May 15, 2011, in Ashtabula.

He was born May 9, 1914, in Manifold, a son of the late George and Anna Kucinich Puskarich.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and a member of Glyde American Legion Post 897.

In 1979, he retired from U.S. Steel, McKeesport, and was a member of United Steel Workers of America Local 1408. He also was a member of Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees and United Mine Workers of America.

His working career consisted of several years working as a landscaper, 22 years as a coal miner and 28 years as a steelworker.

A 54-year resident of Cokeburg, Mr. Puskarich was a member of Cokeburg Presbyterian Church.

A loving, generous father, he was dedicated to his church and always was willing to help people anyway he could. He was known to be able to fix anything and everything.

On March 1, 1947, he married Tillie Zinko, who survives. They celebrated 64 years of marriage.

Also surviving are a daughter, Sylvia Heusinger (Chuck) of Ashtabula; two grandchildren, Stephanie Waggoner (Stephen) of Houston, Texas, and Chip Heusinger III (Natalie) of Alexandria, Va.; four great-grandchildren, Kyle Waggoner and Natasha, Alexandria and Logan Heusinger; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are six sisters, Dorothy Bennington, Ann Brooks, Catherine Salopek, Mary, Jean and Janet Puskarich; two brothers, George and Ed Puskarich; and five other siblings.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Greenlee Funeral Home, 619 Main Street, Bentleyville, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 19, with the Rev. Benjamin W. Robinson officiating. Interment will be in Beallsville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Cokeburg Presbyterian Church, Cokeburg, PA 15321; and Animal Protection League, 5970 Green Road, Ashtabula, OH 44004-4747. Online guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.