Michael Stimak of Donora went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 20, 2019. He was born in Donora on Aug. 21, 1922. He was 96 years old. A member of St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Donora, Mr. Stimak was a commercial graduate of Donora High School in December of 1941. He began his career with U.S. Steel Donora Works in 1941, first in the Zinc Works and then transferred to the Open Hearth – accounting department as a scale weighman. After the close of the Donora Mill, he worked for J & L Steel Pittsburgh Works for the accounting department in the strip mill, retiring in 1981. Michael served his country during World War II from 1942 to 1946 in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Camp Barkley Texas as a drill sergeant and later in the Pacific Theater of Operation – Philippines, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Mr. Stimak was an avid hunter and fisherman, was self-educated in mechanics, construction, welding and so much more. He loved spending days at the family property in Rostraver Township where he passed many hours in the shop at Rostraver Sharpening, where he also did gardening and plant propagation. Michael was a longtime member of the East Monongahela Sportsman Club and a lifetime member of the American Rusin Club in Donora where he served as auditor for 13 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Eva Mikula Stimak; seven siblings, Mary, Alex, George, John, Charlie, Hellen and Ann; a granddaughter, Christine Susan Adrian; and one son-in-law, Robert Buttermore. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Susan Takach Stimak; his children, Sandra (Herb) Adrian of West Virginia, Michael (Donna) Stimak of Idaho, Sharon Buttermore of North Carolina, Alan Stimak and Bruce Stimak both of Rostraver Township; seven grandchildren, Michelle and Michael Stimak, Robert Lee and Mallory Poklemba, Luke and Chad Stimak and Joshua Gardner Stimak; four great-grandchildren, Mason, Rowan, Jaylon, and Jonah; his sister, Margie Dallas of Michigan; and his sister-in-law, Florence Stimak. Arrangements have been entrusted to the ANTHONY L. MASSAFRA FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE INC., 40 Second St. Ext., Carroll Township/Donora PA 15033, 724-379-6900, where family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2019. Services will be held on beginning with prayers being recited at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2019, in the funeral home, followed by a 10 a.m. funeral liturgy in St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church with the Rev. Father Stephen Wahal as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery, Donora. To share a condolence please visit www.massafrafuneralhome.com.
