STRUTHERS - A Panachida service will be held Saturday at 10:00 AM at the Kirila Funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Divine Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at Infant Jesus of Prague Byzantine Catholic Church, officiated by Fr. Michael Farynets, for James Louis Hayer, 88, who passed away Saturday evening, November 7, 2015, with his loving family by his side.

James was born on April 21, 1927 in Youngstown, the son of Louis and Helen Yurick Hayer.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was called to active duty on May 18, 1945, where he served on Patrol Boat 801 as a Fireman First Class until his discharge on August 3, 1946. Due to his active duty status, his parents accepted his high school diploma with the Struthers High School graduating class of June, 1945.

Upon his discharge, James worked for The Isaly Dairy Company until 1947 when he was hired as a Shipping Clerk for The Wilkoff Company. He worked for 35 years in this position until December of 1982. James was then hired as a driver for Buckeye Body & Paint, where he worked for eight years, until his retirement in 1992.

He was a devout Byzantine Catholic and an active parishioner of Infant Jesus of Prague Byzantine Catholic Church, serving as a Sunday Epistle reader and collector, and was the first President of the Byzantine Pairs Social Club. James was a member of the Greek Catholic Union, Lodge #442, and had previously served as President of the Lodge. He was one of the initial founders of the Struthers Veterans Memorial Committee, having served for 12 years as a Committee Member. James was responsible for maintaining records for memorial bricks purchased by veterans or their family members. He was also involved as an active member of the Struthers Northside Reunion Committee for 23 years.

“Jim” was very dedicated to his wife, daughters, parents, and extended family. He enjoyed taking care of his garden, and enjoyed the annual Brincko family reunions, and outings to Idora Park, Geauga Lake, and Kennywood. Jim married the love of his life, Mary “Red” Pavlov on August 20, 1955. They celebrated 54 years of marriage until Mary’s passing on April 9, 2010. Jim was loved and will be remembered by his daughters, Mary Beth of Cortland and Janice (David) Hartzell of Struthers, his beloved grand-dog, King, his sister, Eleanor Goskie of Struthers, his brother-in-law, Joseph Pavlov, Jr. of Struthers, six nephews, six nieces, many great-nephews, great-nieces, cousins and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, “Red”, his in-laws, Joseph and Katherine Pavlov, his brother-in-law, William Goskie, his sister-in-law, Helen K. Pavlov, and his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Irene O’Shelski.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 7:30 PM on Friday, November 13, 2015, at Kirila Funeral Home, 258 Poland Avenue, Struthers, Ohio, where a Parastas service will be conducted at 5:00 PM. A Military Memorial service will be held after the Divine Liturgy and interment services will be conducted at St. John Cemetery in Lowellville.

Jim’s family is grateful to their “adopted” family member, Marnie Spatar, for her devotion to the family during the past six years. His family would also like to express their appreciation and gratitude to the wonderful staff at the Hampton Woods, especially Casey, Nancy, Michelle, Tim, and Wendy for their heroic efforts when he became ill.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Infant Jesus of Prague Byzantine Catholic Church or the Struthers Veterans Memorial Fund, 111 Euclid Avenue, Struthers, Ohio, 44471.

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