Feb 16, 2014

U.S. Army veteran

John M. Chatlak, 82, passed away Saturday morning, February 15, 2014, in Uniontown Hospital with his loving wife and children by his side.

On September 23, 1931, he was born in Donora, a son of Mary Petrus Chatlak and John Chatlak Sr.

Mr. Chatlak was a member of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Masontown. He was a graduate of Donora High School and the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor of arts in business.

He was a former magistrate in Monessen and central committeeman in Masontown for 35 years.

Mr. Chatlak was a veteran of the Korean War and served a stint in the U.S. Army in Korea. He was also past commander and life member of American Legion Post 423, past commander and life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4584, past president and member of Pal’s Club, all of Masontown, and a member of AmVets Post 103, Uniontown.

He was a kind and gentle man, and he was a loving and devoted husband to his beloved wife, Donna Chatlak. He was also an avid Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers fan.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 38 years, Donna R. Bezjak Chatlak; children John Chatlak and wife Nancy of Wheeling, W.Va., Kim Garnic and husband Andrew of Rostraver Township, Karen Martell and husband Wayne of Quinton, Va., Lisa Chatlak and fiancé Chuck of Masontown, Vince Zapotosky and wife Carol of Uniontown and David Howard; grandchildren, whom he adored, Logan Howard, Megan Howard, William Zapotosky and Christopher and Savannah Martell; brothers Tom Chatlak and wife Debbie and children of Canonsburg, and Bob Chatlak and wife Gloria and children of Canonsburg; brothers-in-law, Alex Bezjak of Uniontown, Joe and Mickey Bezjak of New Geneva and Carl and Lara Bezjak and children, Alley and Bryn, of Uniontown,; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are a daughter, Carla Howard; and a sister, Jean, and her husband, Joseph Zelczak.

All relatives and friends of Mr. Chatlak will long cherish the fond memories of this exceptional and gentle man. He is departed but not forgotten.

Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in John S. Maykuth Jr. Funeral Home, 7 River Avenue, Masontown. Addition visitation will be held until 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 19, the time of a prayer service in the funeral home chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. in Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church, Masontown, with the Rev. Father James F. Bump as celebrant. Interment in St. Agnes’ Cemetery, Leckrone. Military rites will be accorded by Masontown VFW Post 4584 and American Legion Post 423.