John Byknish

John Byknish of Masury, OH, died on Monday (06-29-2009) at Sharon Regional Hospital after a brief illness. He was 87 years old. Mr. Byknish was born February 5, 1922 Dixonville, PA a son of Alex & Eva (Wilk-Senchisin) Byknish. He was the first generation born in America and moved to this area when he was seven years old, he has lived in the same house ever since. He married the former Anna Molnar on Aug. 13, 1955 at St. Johns Carpathian Russian Orthodox Church by Rev. Paul Tkach, and together they would share fifty years of marriage. Mr. Byknish had served his country in the United States Army Air Corps. during World War II as a Ball Turret (Waist Gunner) aboard a B-17 with the 457th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force. His decorations and citations included the Air Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Ribbon. Upon his return from the war John worked as a Stainless Steel Furnace Operator at Sharon Steel for nearly 30 years. After his retirement he also worked as a security guard at McDonalds where he enjoyed talking with the young guys who came in about their cars. John was a proud member of the St. John's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Sharon where he working the bingo games as well as helping at the pierogi's dinners, a member of the Carpathian Russian Club, and the Sharon American Legion Post # 0229. Around his home he was known as a Jack of All Trades who would tinker with anything just to find out what made it tick. Mr. Byknish is survived by his two sons, David Byknish and his wife Kathleen of Brookfield, OH and Matthew Byknish of Masury, OH; his three daughters Christine Byknish and her fiance Tom Klouse of Masury, OH, Mariann Byknish of Sanford, NC, Mrs. Joann Crockett and her husband Bradley of Apex, NC; and by his four grandchildren David John II, Cory James, and Kayla Marie Byknish of Brookfield, OH, and Morgan Jolleen Crockett of Apex, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Anna, and his son John V. Byknish, his brother George Senchisin, six sisters Nancy Kubyako, Mary Petro, Ann Janosko, Helen Kiefer, Catherine Milan, and Margaret Thomas. Calling hours will be held this evening Wednesday July 1, 2009 at Lane Funeral Homes Madasz Chapel, Brookfield, Ohio from 5-8 PM. Closing prayers will be recited at 9:15AM on Thursday July 2, 2009 at the funeral home followed by a funeral service beginning at 10:00AM at St. John's Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 389 Clark Street Sharon, PA with Father Andrew Gall Officiating. Burial will be in Brookfield Township Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Contributions can be made to the Brookfield Township Fire Department.