John Bilas, 91, of Struthers entered into Eternal Rest on Friday, May 8, 2015 in Youngstown.  John was the beloved husband of the late Olga Kiddon Bilas.  They were married on August 10, 1947.  John was born in Youngstown, Ohio on June 16, 1923, the son of Peter and Maria (Malega) Bilas.  
John graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School.  He served in the Army-Air Force during WWII, stationed at the Keflavik Air Base in Iceland.  John returned home from the war and graduated from Youngstown College (Youngstown State University) with a degree in Business Administration.  He worked in the Fire Department and Coke Plant at Youngstown Sheet and Tube.  Upon his retirement from the mill, John worked part time as a realtor and was an avid gardener.  John was a member of Saint John the Baptist Orthodox Church, in Campbell.  The Orthodox Christian faith was central to his life.  He was one of the organizers of the Saint Basil’s Society, often visiting and praying with the sick and homebound and helping to organize Pascha basket distributions to the less fortunate.  He would often say that when he couldn’t remember the names of his extended family members to pray for in his daily prayers, he would ask God to bless everyone and that way no one was ever left out.
Dad will always be remembered for sharing his vast knowledge of growing tomatoes and hostas and making wine.  He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.  His wartime stories from Iceland were enjoyed by all!  
John was preceded in death by his wife Olga and is survived by his children Ronald (Connie) Bilas of North Jackson, Suzanne (Robert) Hovanec of Canfield, and Terrence (Veronica) Bilas of Norton, OH, ten grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren.  John was also preceded in death by his step-mother Anna Kushner Ragan Bilas, his sisters Mary Tecau, Helen Majestic and brothers Peter Bilas, Joseph Bilas, Michael Bilas and William Bilas.
The family would like to thank those caregivers who provided invaluable care for our father, Aunt Joyce, Lori, Karen, Jessie, and Bobbie Jo, the staff of Heritage Manor Nursing facility in Youngstown, and all the family and friends who visited.
Visitation for John will be held at Kirila Funeral Home in Struthers on Monday, May 11, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:30 pm.  Parastas will be held at 7:30 pm.  Funeral services will be held at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Campbell at 11 am on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, officiated by Fr. Gabriel Bilas and Very Rev. Fr. Don Freude.  The body will lie in state from 10 - 11am prior to the funeral service.  
Donations may be made to St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Hospice of the Valley, or to the family for a memorial tree to be planted in Austintown Township Park.
May God number him among the sheep on His right hand, and may his Memory be Eternal - Vechnaja Pamjat. Christ is Risen! Christos Voskres!

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