Nick "Kutz' Karas
May 26, 1923 ~ December 10, 2017
Nick “Kutz” Karas, 94, of Weirton, W.Va, died on December 10, 2017, at the Acuity Specialty Hospital in Weirton, W.Va.
Born on May 26, 1923, in his parent’s home in the “Bottom” of Mingo Juction, OH, Kutz was a son of the late Ninko and Danica Drzayich Karas. He was also preceded in death by his three brothers, Eli, Peter, and John Karas; and his four sisters, Yelena Karas, Martha DiAntonio, Sophie Kakiscik, and Mildred Ardito.
A veteran of the United States Navy, Kutz served on the USS Maumee during World War II and on the USS Tortuga during the Korean War. He retired from National Steel after 38 years of service, where he worked in the Open Hearth and Continuous Caster in Weirton.
He was an active member of the Holy Resurrection Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church, in Steubenville, OH, where he served as the church cantor and member of the Petar Krstich Choir for over 60 years. He was also a member of the Serbian Men’s Club, Tsar Lazar Men’s Choir, SNF Lodge 78, and American Legion Post 10.
All who knew Kutz will remember him for his love of his family, his church, time spent fishing and at the Serbian Picnic Grounds, cooking slivovitz and of course his one liners.
Kutz is survived by his wife, Rosemarie Krivoshia Karas, whom he married on May 4, 1952; their children, Nino Karas (Milena) of Oakdale, Pa, Michael Karas (Nada) of Chesterton, Indiana, Dan “Dush” Karas (Melissa) of Imperial, Pa, Paul Karas, of Pittsburgh, Pa, and Diane Battista (Michael) of Weirton, W.Va; nine grandchildren, Maria, Nicodemus, Nina, Michael, Dusan and Neven Karas, Nicklas and Michaela Battista and Emily Beitler (Ian); a great granddaughter, Maya Rose Beitler; numerous nieces nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be 2-8 pm Wednesday at the Greco Hertnick Funeral Home 3219 Main Street Weirton, where Pomen Services will be held at 7 PM.
Additional visitation will be 10 AM until time of Funeral Liturgy at 11 AM Thursday, at the Holy Resurrection Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church, 528 North Fourth Street Steubenville, Ohio.
V. Rev. Father Rade Merick will preside.
Interment will follow in the Serbian Cemetery, Weirton, W.Va.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Resurrection Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church or the Petar Krstich Choir.
Share tributes at www.grecohertnick.com. 304 748 3219
Marie, Nino, Mike, Dush, Diane and Paul, I am so sorry about your Dad , you must have a ton of memories with him. One I want to share with you is that when I worked at the hospital oh about age 19 and 20, I would get up and leave for work and he and I must of left at the same time, he would always greet me coming past your house with a kiss on the cheek every morning to wish me a good day! That memory has stayed with me all these years! He was a wonderful man! Sorry I cannot be there but I wish you to keep all the happy memories in your hearts!
Sincerely,
Debbie Clayton Walsh
One of a kind !
Dear Marie and family. Our sincere sympathy and prayers to all of you. We will always remember Kutz’s wonderful voice as well as his quick wit. May his memory be eternal.☦️ George and Doreen Jakovich
For Karas family, you have my deepest sympathy on your loss of your husband and father.
Marie & Family,
My deepest sympathy to you all.
A true treasure.
vecnaja pamjat
Jimmy
Dear Marie and Family:
I was so sad to hear of Kutz’s passing. Kutz always greeting me with a big smile and kiss on the cheek. His dedication and service to our church, our priests, choir, and picnic grounds will never be forgotten. I remember he would always come with the priest to bless our home. Listening to his beautiful voice in choir and singing (kantoring) the responses during services are doting memories I cherish. Kutz was truly the nucleus of our church parish and one of my earliest memories of our church. May you find peace and comfort and may Kutz’s memory be eternal.
Marie and family, Very sad to hear of Kutz’s passing. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. May his memory be eternal.
Cousin Fred Drzayich
this picture is exactly how I will always remember Kutz. There was no one like him! I loved hearing his singing voice. And loved working with him at the Picnic Grounds along with many of my family members. God bless all of you. Jenny Zatezalo (Morris)
Mrs. Karas & family: As I always said: What wonderful memories I have from the dinners and parties. Your husband, father, grandfather…was a wonderful man. May he be at peace now. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this painful time.
May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time,
May you come to know that the love of God is with you always,
May your memories of Nick Karas, give you peace, comfort and strength…
Rest now in the arms of our Lord your mission on earth is complete.
I thank you for your service to our Country and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten..
My thoughts
and prayers to the family of ….
US Navy Veteran, Nick Karas, is “A True American Hero” God Bless†
† Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 †
My deepest condolences to Mrs. Karas and the entire Karas family. Rest in Peace, Mr. Karas.
Nicodemus and family,
Sorry on the loss of your grandpa. Sending prayers to all of you..Cherish all of your memories.
Marianne, Mark and Trey Gilham
Dear Mrs. Karas and family,
I am saddened to read of the passing of your wonderful husband and father, Kutz. But I rejoice in his faithfulness to our Lord, and in his raising his voice in song whenever possible to the glory of God. My family and I hold you in our prayers and our hearts as you move forward into this difficult time of separation. But even in your pain, remember that this separation is temporary. May God bless and comfort you now and always, and may Kutz’s memory be eternal.
Vyechnaya pamyat.
With love and admiration for Kutz and for all he and your family have done for our Lord and His Church,
Joanna Mihalik and family
Dear Karas Family, I was very saddened to hear this, Kutz brought a lot of joy to a lot of people. He will always be in our hearts.
Marty (Zatezalo) Benner
I’ll never enter the Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Church that I don’t hear Kutz’s voice in my heart. It is my most vibrant memory of the liturgy. Susie (Zatezalo) Toothman
Such a magnificent tribute to a great man! He left a wonderful legacy for his children and grandchildren to follow. I loved all the photos in this great video that showed him as a happy man enjoying life’s riches surrounded by those who meant the most to him. But my favorite photo is still him with the still making his slivovitz! Hilariously special! And, as I said many times before, my favorite memory of Kutz (and I had a lot from the many choir festivals, zabavas, etc!) but my FAVORITE one is remembering turning around to hear those super basses singing in my ear at the Shadeland church as the kids were going up for nafora and we were all were singing “Uskliknimo,” but Kutz and son Nino had that special DEEP ‘Pojtemu!” section that rang out in the Shadelandchurch, filling the rafters and my heart with unmatched joy! Memory Eternal. Vjecnaja Pamjat.