Jan 26, 2014

Coal miner was veteran of U.S. Navy

John Popats, 87, of Houston, formerly of Arden and Meadow Lands, died Friday, January 24, 2014, at the Washington County Health Center, Chartiers Township.

He was born April 12, 1926, in Meadow Lands, the son of the late George and Edna Schultz Popats.

Mr. Popats was employed as a coal miner for many years at Consolidation Coal until his retirement. He was a member of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Meadow Lands. He also was a member of American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175, Veterans of Foreign Wars 191 and Arden Athletic Club.

Mr. Popats served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 until 1946, receiving the Pacific Theatre Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon, Victory Medal and Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

On August 10, 1946, he married Mildred L. “Babe” Durbin Popats, who is deceased.

Surviving are three daughters, Linda (Bruno) Zanolla, Joni (David) Tomor and Stacy (Robert) Hall, all of Houston; a brother, Frank (Mary Jane) Freno of Washington; a sister, Theodora Lloyd of Meadow Lands; and grandchildren Anthony (Julie) Zanolla of Canonsburg, Gina Zanolla of Houston, Brandy (David) Rossi of Canonsburg, Heather (Louis) Daddea of Houston and Jennifer (Stephen) Plonski of Houston. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Friends will be received Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., Wilson at E. Katherine Avenues, Washington, S. Timothy Warco, supervisor/director, Susan Falvo Warco, director, S. Timothy Warco II, director. A prayer service will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, January 29 in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in the Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, Meadow Lands, with Father John O’Shea as celebrant. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. Full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 and the U.S. Navy. Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com.