Jan 7, 2014

Veteran was retired teacher

John Krajnak, 83, of Ellsworth, died Monday, January 6, 2014, in Donnell House, Washington.

Born in Wyano, May 6, 1930, he was a son of Joseph and Mary Lesicako Krajnak.

Mr. Krajnak was a retired high school teacher for the Bethlehem-Center Area School District, where he taught for 25 years. Before that, he taught at the former Mon Valley Catholic High School. He also worked as a race teller at Meadows Racetrack for many years.

Mr. Krajnak was a Korean War veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy.

He was a member of Ave Maria Parish in Bentleyville, Knight of Columbus Council 5826 in Bentleyville, Bentleyville American Legion Post 165, Bentleyville Lithuanian Club and a social member of Croatian Club, Cokeburg.

Mr. Krajnak was a licensed ham radio operator, United States of America Federal Communications Commission Amateur Radio License N3VDD.

Surviving are two sons, John Krajnak of Ellsworth and Justin Krajnak of North Tonawanda, N.Y.; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Denise and William Curtis of Harmony, Kathleen Aglio of Brentwood and Tammy and Brian Tyson of Bentleyville; a brother, George Krajnak of Athens, Ohio; a sister, Margaret Refosco of McDonald; six grandchildren; a great-grandchild; five stepgrandchildren; and five stepgreat-grandchildren.

Deceased are his wife, Theresa Kupar Krajnak, who died in 2008, and brother Joseph Krajnak.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Leonard M. Pavlic Funeral Homes Inc., 405 Main Street, Bentleyville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 9, in Ave Maria Parish, Bentleyville. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Carroll Township. Military rites will be accorded by Bentleyville American Legion Post 165.