Lillian Kosmach Opeka
Lillian Kosmach Opeka, 99, of Peters Township, passed away peacefully Sunday, August 15, 2021.
Lillian was the beloved wife of the late John Opeka Jr.; loving mother of Donald (Terri) Opeka of Broomfield, Colo., Nancy (Bill) Barnard of Upper St. Clair and Dale (Rene) Opeka of McMurray; proud grandmother to her nine grandchildren, Ginger (Dave) Benne, John (Janel) Opeka, Sarah Opeka, Mike (Alicia) Barnard, Ryan (Roni) Opeka, Aaron Barnard, Laura (John) DeSimone, Evan Opeka and Ross Opeka; caring great-grandmother of seven; and dear sister of Jennie Zuzek of Canonsburg and the late Elsie Chesnik.
Lillian was born May 3, 1922, in Lawrence, the oldest of three daughters of John and Mary Kosmach. Her family settled in Strabane when she was young and she graduated from Canonsburg High School in 1940.
Lillian and John married in December of 1942 while John was on leave prior to shipping out for the European Theatre of World War II in the Army Air Corps.
In 1949, Lillian and family moved to Peters Township where in 1951, established Opeka Auto Repair. The company now holds the honor of being the oldest family-owned business in Peters Township. Lillian was an instrumental partner in the business, handling many behind-the-scene duties, including bookkeeping, well into her 80s.
Both Lillian and John were proud children of Slovenian immigrants. They were active in several Slovenian organizations and traveled to Slovenia on multiple occasions to visit family. Lillian enjoyed square dancing, Slovenian music and raising her family while working in the family business.
Arrangements by Beinhauers. Friends and family are welcome from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 18, at 2828 Washington Road, McMurray, 724-941-3211. A funeral service will immediately follow at 7:30 p.m. To view a live stream of the services, please visit Lillian’s tribute page at www.beinhauer.com for further directions.
Memorial contributions can be made to either of the following: Association of Slovene Americans, 381 F. Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15209, or SNPJ Scholarship Fund, 247 W. Allegheny Road, Imperial, PA 15216, Attn.: Joseph Evanish.
To add and view tributes, please visit www.beinhauer.com.