Manuel Johns
Manuel Johns, 89, of Canonsburg and Clearwater, Fla., died Tuesday, September 25, 2018, in TownView Health and Rehabilitation Center, Canonsburg.
He was born July 14, 1929, a son of Amelia Manos and Nick Johns (Diakomanolis). He was the youngest of 13 children.
He was a graduate of Cecil High School.
Manuel served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was decorated with the National Defense Medal, Korean Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal.
He worked for 32 years for Kroger and for six years at Foodland, serving as manager at various stores for both grocery chains in the Pittsburgh area.
Manuel was a member of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, Canonsburg, and American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association Chapter 156, holding leadership roles in the governing boards of both entities. He was instrumental in starting the popular All Saints annual food festival. In 2014, Manuel was honored by the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh with a St. Photios Award for his years of faithful service to the church and community. He was also a member of Pan Rhodian Society and American Legion Post 902, Houston.
In December 2001, Manuel carried the Olympic Torch in Washington, as the sacred flame made its way from Greece, the homeland of his parents, to the Salt Lake City, Utah, games. He was nominated for the honor in an essay written by his daughter, Amy, who passed the torch to her father.
Manuel is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bessie Sarris Johns; daughter Amy Lynn Johns and son-in-law Pete Zapadka of Morgantown, W.Va.; son Nick Johns and daughter-in-law Tracy Mele-Johns of Venetia; granddaughters Alisha Marie Johns of Pomona, Calif., and Carly Nicole Johns of Venetia; and stepgranddaughters Allison and Jessica Zapadka and stepgreat-granddaughter Layla McGrogan, all of Green Tree. Also surviving are a sister, Catherine Kisella of Canonsburg, and hundreds of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and so on, from Alaska to Florida.
He was preceded in death by eight sisters, Stella Manolas, Sara Regas, Martha Biologlowa, Fannie Ramfos, Venus Soutouras, Connie Diana, Joanna Johns and an infant female, and three brothers, John, George and Hercules.
Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday and 10 to 11 a.m., the time of service, Tuesday, October 2, in All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 601 West McMurray Road, Canonsburg. Burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township.
Arrangements are entrusted to Sollon Funeral and Cremation Service Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317, Phillip L. Sollon, supervisor, J. David Sollon, director, 724-746-1000.
Contributions may be made in Manuel’s name to All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 601 West McMurray Road, Canonsburg, PA 15317.