John Garan

John "Soup" Garan, Sr., 83, died Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. John was born on November 28, 1924, in Windber, PA (Scalp Level, PA), the son of the late John and Martha (Goban) Garan Lisich. John also preceded in death by his brother, Bill Pasternick, and his two sisters, Ann Gerbo and Helen Vincej. John retired as a millwright in the B.O.P. of National Steel and Weirton Steel after 39 years of service. He served his country in the European Theatre during World War II, where he was shot and wounded crossing the Rhine River into Germany. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart. He played softball for the Dragons A.C. in the late 1940's and early 50's, and the love of sports carried on throughout his life. John loved the outdoors, especially gardening and mushroom picking. He enjoyed spending the winter months in his home in Saint Petersburg Florida. He was a member of the Saint Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church, Saint Mary's Mens Club, Three Score Seniors, Weirton Steel 25 Year Club, American Legion Post 10, and a life member of the V.F.W. 2716 and the D.A.V. He is survived by his loving wife, Martha Bubuli Garan, whom he married on September 29, 1951; his son, Dr. John Garan, Jr. and his wife Vickie all of Weirton, WV; his daughter, Rosemary Griffith and her husband Geoffrey of Haymarket, VA; his three brothers, Mike and Olga, Joe and Marge, and George and Dorothy Garan; his sister, Mary Perozich all of Weirton; his granddaughter, Katherine Mary Griffith; his two step grandsons, Garland and Bryan Freeman, and his four step great grandsons. Also surviving are his many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 6-8 PM Saturday and 1-3 and 6-8 PM Sunday at the Greco Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV Parastas service will be 8 PM Sunday in the funeral home. Blessing services will be held 9:30 AM in the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Liturgy at 10 AM Monday in the Saint Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church, 3116 Elm Street, Weirton, WV Reverend Father Edward Lucas will preside. Interment will follow at the Saint Paul Cemetery, Weirton, with military services conducted by the American Legion Post 10 and the Weirton Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to the Saint Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church 3116 Elm Street Weirton, WV 26062. Share tributes and memories at www.grecohertnick.com