Obituaries

Nicholas A. Czaruk

Nicholas A. Czaruk, 95, of Wintersville, Ohio fell asleep in the Lord on Orthodox Great and Holy Friday, April 25, 2008 at home with his wife, Nora by his side.  He was born November 27, 1912 in Norsewiche, Gordno Province, Belarus, he immigrated to the United States with his family Alexander and Julia Kosko Czaruk in  1926 on the ship Lithuania passing through Ellis Island at the age of 14 with his sister Helen.  Arriving in Steubenville, he was fluent in several languages, and was involved with his father in the tailoring trade.  Growing up in the tri-state area, he met his wife Nora at a Wheeling Park dance, whom he married on August 8, 1943, and all of their years they really enjoyed dancing and were marvelous dancers.  Nick answered his country’s call to war in WWII, proudly serving in the Army Air Force in the China Burma India Theater in the 10th Combat Cargo Squadron as an air corps flight engineer and crew chief for a transport C-47 called the “Balalaika” and received the distinguished flying cross, air medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, and good conduct medal among others.  As an active and the oldest member of Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, he served in many positions including council member, financial secretary, treasurer, and also served as president of the parish council for twenty years.  He also served as a member of the Pittsburgh Archdiocesan Council of the Orthodox Church in America, and received the highest award of the church, a Grammata in recognition of his service and love for the church. Retiring as a roller at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation in 1977, he continued an active life as a gardener, and was skilled in many trades which enabled him to build the home in Wintersville which he and Nora have occupied for fifty years.  He enjoyed driving his Caddies, and he and Nora were always together wherever they went. He was also an honorary member of the Jefferson Sportsman’s Club.  He was preceded in death by his parents Alexander and Julia Kosko Czaruk; brother Michael Czaruk and his wife Julia Helba and sister Helen Barna and her husband Basil Barna.  He is survived by his loving wife Nora Anastasia Kohut Czaruk; children Chaplain (MAJ) Nicholas (Janet) Czaruk (US Army Retired) of Fayetteville, NC, Doctor of Dentistry Kohut Pete Czaruk of Columbus, OH and Registered Nurse Theresa (Bob) Stotler of Canton, OH; four grandchildren Nicholas A. Czaruk III of San Diego, CA, Doctor of Pharmacy Gregory (Annie) Czaruk of Muskogee, OK, Karina (Chad) Clark of Columbus, OH and Alexandria (Ben) Clark of Tallahassee, FL; seven great grandchildren Gabrielle, Hunter, Lane, Braxton and Landon Clark, Annebelle and Gregory Wagner Czaruk, as well as one due any day to Karina (Kara) Clark and many loving nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces.  Friends may call at Dunlope-Shorac Funeral Home, Wintersville Wednesday 5-8 p.m. & Thursday 5-8 p.m. and on Friday at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church from 10 a.m. until the time of Paschal Divine Liturgy at 11 a.m. with Very Rev. Fr. John J. Voytilla officiating. Burial at Union Cemetery where Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad will provide military honors.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be directed to Charity Hospice, 500 Luray Drive, Wintersville, OH 43953.  The family would like to extend a special thanks to Barb and Shelly of Charity Hospice.  Trisagion Thursday 6 p.m.

Date of Death: April 25, 2008