john rybka
John Allan Rybka, Jr., 68, of Weirton, passed away Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at his home. Born June 23, 1939 in Steubenville, OH, he was the son of the late John A. and Irene Wisniewski Rybka, Sr. John retired from Weirton Steel where he worked in the Tin Mill Department. He was a member of Sacred Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the WSX 25-Year Club. He was an avid fan of football and boxing. John served in the US Air Force from 1957 – 1961. John is survived by sons Shawn Rybka of Weirton and Jason Rybka of Moon Township, PA; daughter Diahanna Shafer and her husband Matthew of Weirton; granddaughters Olivia Paige and Sophia Marie Shafer; sister Marlene Runkel and her husband Michael of Weirton; nieces Lisa Boron and her husband Joe of Lugoff, SC, Lori Rypka and her husband Rob of Frederick, MD and Amy Kirk and her husband Kendel of Morrisville, NC and several great nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins. Friends will be received Friday from 6-8 PM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated 10AM SATURDAY at Sacred Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church with Reverend Father Kent Durig presiding. Interment will be in St. Paul Cemetery where military services will be conducted by the American Legion Post 10 and Weirton Honor Guard. Memorial contributions can be made to the Sacred Heart of Mary Building Fund, 200 Preston Ave, Weirton, WV 26062 Share tributes and memories at www.grecohertnick.com

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Diahanna,Shawn and Jason you are in our prayers during this sorrowful time. Love Ed,Amy and Savanna

  2. Marlene, we are so very sorry to hear of your brother’s passing away. You and your whole family will be in our prayers….Kathy and Karl

  3. Dear Shawn, Diahanna and Jason, We are truly in shock over your Dad’s passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers and that we love you very much. We are heartbroken that we cannot be there with you at this time. Uncle John will be remembered fondly for his kind and generous spirit, especially at Christmas, when I hang the pickle and pretzel ornaments on the tree that he gave me. So many of my friends have heard the history of these ornaments and I can’t wait to share these stories with my children. May God’s Love bring you peace. All of our love, Lisa, Joe, Nicholas, Nathalie and Lauren

  4. Marlene: I am sorry to hear of your brothers passing. He is now in the hands of our Lord. My sympathies go out to you and your family.

  5. Family of John, I am very sorry to learn of the passing of John. I worked with John in Tin Mill and we talked sports every day. He was a great fan of my father Coach Hamill and I will treasure my time with him. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Sincerely, Jerry Hamill

  6. My deepest condolence in the loss of my friend John. I remember so many things about him. The thing I remember the most is that he always had kind words for me. I visited and gave him Holy Communion many times over the years. I was always in awe at his faith in God. May he rest in peace. Jim Pauchnik

  7. Marlene, I am so sorry to hear of your brother’s passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. Rich

  8. Marlene and Michael, and all the Rybka family: I am so sorry to see that you have lost your dear brother. Please know of my deepest sympathy and most sincere prayers for comfort at this time of profound loss. Sincerely, Stas` Tuchalski

  9. Dear Marlene and Mike, In this time of sorrow, know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. I’m praying that memories of John lend comfort , knowing that love is eternal and that his spirit lives on in your love. With sympathy, Becky

  10. Shawn and Diahanna, I’m really sorry to hear about your dad. Sorry I won’t be able to make it to the Services. Rick Mort

  11. Marlene: I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother…I am so sorry I will not be able to attend the viewing this evening…Please accept my deepest sympathy..You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Love Fran

  12. To the Rybka Family, I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. We had our differences over the years, but we were always friends. I know in my heart, that he is with God now because he was a very good person. I will always remember our two-fisted drinking at all the Elks Conventions. Don’t forget to run block for me.

  13. Mike @ Marlene, I will never forget coaching the small children with John, he had a special way with the kids he loved all of them.I will never forget how thoughtful John was with me I will never forget him. may you all rest assured he was a very special man in our hearts. I am sure John is looking at us and saying rejoice as i am risen with my God. Allan

  14. Marlene, we deeply regret your loss of a loved brother. Our sympathy goes out to your family. I have many fond memories of Johnny as a child and young man. He was warm and welcoming to all of us.

  15. Marlene, I was so saddened and shocked to learn of your brother’s passing. I know how important family is to you and this must be so difficult. Please know that my thougts and prayers are embracing you at this time. I send my love and hugs to you and your family. Take care of yourself and each other. Sincerely, Deya Hill

  16. Marlene, Just wanted to offer my sympathy and prayers for your loss. I didn’t know your brother, but if he was anything like you he was surely a very nice person. God Bless, Patty

  17. Dear Marlene, We are so sorry to hear about the passing of John. He was a good person and always had a smile on his face when we saw him. Our family’s go back a long way, let us keep in touch. I can picture John looking down from heaven and smiling on all of his family. Take care & God Bless!! Love, Alex & Nancy

  18. Marlene, Mike, and Rybka family: With the deepest love, hope, and prayers in our faith, I ask that the Choirs of Angels to lift John ever so gently taking him to the Gates of Heaven. Where Our Lord will meet John, taking him into His open arms, and leading him Home to his heavenly rewards. Both Marie and I want to express our love, prayers, and deepest regret in the passing of John. God Bless and keep you all safe from harm.

  19. Shawn, Jason, Diahanna and Marlene, You have our deepest sympathy on the passing of your father and brother. We were very shocked when I read the obit on line today. We have know John for a long time and will treasure the time that we spent with him. May he now be at peace. Sorry that we can not be there to share in your grief. Pete and Kathy

  20. Marlene,Mike and family I was very saddened to hear about the passing of your brother. I didn’t really know him, but I do know that he has a wonderful family that cared for him very much. He is at peace now with Mom and Dad. Bless you all! Love Liz

  21. Marlene, Was so sorry to hear about the passing of your brother John. Our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Sincerey, Rose Ann and Bill Keller

  22. john will be missed, he & I talked weekly for the past two years. Joan & I lost a great friend and classmate during our early childhood.

  23. Marlene: Family is impossible to replace, but memories are impossible to erase. I know that you have wonderful memories of your brother. I hope that those thoughts, and the prayers of all your friends, will help you to get through the bad times. Patti Mushrush

  24. To The Family of John Rybka, Was so sorry to hear of John’s passing. I went to school with John, and shared many classes, and fun memories. Blessings,

  25. Dear Marlene and Mike, Please accept my sincere condolences on John’s passing. In due time, I hope your memories of the good times will replace the hurt you are feeling now. Sincerely, Tommi

  26. Shawn, Jason, Diahanna: I had hoped to still talk with your father on the phone but things didn’t happen that way. I cried when I heard he’d passed, and I’m so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with Johnny and with all of you in your grief. He’s in a better place, an essier place. I know he loved all of you (and your children)dearly. Stay close, and remember that family is here for you. If you don’t know who family is, ask and I’d be happy to share our genealogy/heritage.

  27. Very sorry to hear of this loss to WHS ’57. I remember John as a great friend to all. Please accept my personal condolences. Arlie Campbell WHS’57

  28. Marlene, We are very sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. We were unable to attend the showing because we had to babysit. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God Bless! Love, Joe & Diana

  29. Shawn; Your father always let me know how you were doing and where you were working at. I hope you got my messages. Your father was very special to me as I am sure he was loved and will be missed by the whole family. May he rest in peace

  30. Dear Family, I’m so sorry to hear about John. He was such a nice person. I remember going to school with him at Weir High and the talks we used to have. I considered him a true friend. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Remember all the wonderful moments you shared with him as that is what you will hold on to. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Barb (Varitek) Sommerfield

  31. Marlene,Mike and family, We are very sorry to learn about John’s passing. He was a kind and thoughtful man and always had time for his friends. He will be missed by everyone that knew him. Rich,Patty Wieloh

  32. We are so sorry to hear about John’s passing. Our thought’s and prayer’s are with each and everyone of you. God Bless…

  33. I was a classmate of John (affectionately known as “Fish”)at Weir High (Class of ’57). I remember him as a very outgoing, fun-loving person, who was a friend to all. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time. May your memories keep him alive in your hearts. Gladys (Gunion) Earnhardt

  34. Shawn, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts. Amy

  35. Dear Marlene, I just learned of the passing of your brother. Please know that Gabe and I send our deepest sympathy and will keep you, Mike, and your family in our prayers. Diane Fornari

  36. Dear Marlene and Mike, So sorry to hear about John’s passing. I don’t remember meeting him, however I read all the guestbook entries and I can tell he was deeply loved by all who knew him. May God comfort you and yours in this time of sadness.


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