John Sakach

U.S. Army veteran was retired coal miner

John Sakach, 90, of Daisytown, died Friday, December 30, 2011.

He was born October 28, 1921, in Daisytown, son of the late Frank and Esther Hajdu Sakach.

Mr. Sakach was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served with Company C835th Engineers Aviation BN. For his service, he was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, two Bronze Battle Stars and the Good Conduct Medal.

A coal miner, he worked in numerous area coal mines. In 1982, he retired from Jones & Laughlin Nemacolin Mine. He was a member of United Mine Workers of America Local 6290.

He was a lifelong member of Daisytown Presbyterian Church and Hungarian Club of Daisytown.

Mr. Sakach was an avid reader who especially enjoyed Tom Clancy books, and some of his hobbies were woodworking, gardening and crossword puzzles.

Spending time with his family, especially his granddaughters, brought him much enjoyment.

On June 25, 1949, he married Grace Bodnar, who died April 16, 2001.

Surviving are a son, Gary Sakach (Dianna) of Scenery Hill; a daughter, Diana Miller of Scenery Hill; two granddaughters, Sabra Anne Sakach (Frank Monica) and Amanda Machesky (Adam); a brother, Albert Sakach (Sylvia) of Pittsburgh; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to his parents and wife, are a son-in-law, Barry G. Miller, and four brothers, Frank, Alexander, Joseph and Julius Sakach.

Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday in John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 3, with the Rev. Lgene Bonnell officiating. Internment will be in Beallsville Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded graveside by Hancock-McCune-Horne American Legion Post 705, Centerville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Daisytown Presbyterian Church, in care of Dianna Sakach, 162 Oak Road, Scenery Hill, PA 15360, or Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Research Department of Development, Mayo Clinic 200 First Street, S.W. Rochester, MN 55905. A guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.