Alexander G. Varnak
Alexander G. Varnak, age 84, of Merrittstown, Pa., passed away Saturday, May 10, 2003 in Jennie’s Personal Care Home, Isabella, Pa. He was born May 21, 1918 in Crucible, Pa., a son of George Varnak and Pauline Koperdak Varnak.
Alexander was a graduate of the former Redstone High School Class of 1936, the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and West Virginia University.
He had taught art for 17 years at the Junior and Senior High Schools in Carmichaels, Pa.
He had painted murals for United States Steel during World War II in Pittsburgh, Pa.
He exhibited paintings in New York City, Maine and Florida, the Coal and Coke Museum at Penn State University, Fayette Campus, and medical clinics in Centerville, Pa., Carmichaels, Pa., West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio, and New York Hospital, New York.
Alex did paintings of major league baseball stadiums and local golf courses.
He was the Historical Illustrator for the Chicago Tribune Newspaper, including romantic Figures of American History, makers of the Middle West, Villains of American History, Civil War Generals, and Congressional Medal of Honor Awards of World War II.
Alex was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Republic, Pa., and the Church Choir.
He was inducted into the Fayette County Baseball Hall of Fame.
Surviving are a brother, Brother Charles Varnak, C.S.C., of Valatie, New York; sisters: Helen Kelley of Brownsville, Pa., Betty Gancos of Wexford, Pa., and Medge Dayton of Summerville, South Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received in the ROBERT T. KISH FUNERAL HOME INC., Legion Street, Republic, Pa. on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday, May 14, until 11 a.m. when a Prayer Service will be held.
A Funeral Mass follows at 11:30 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church, Republic, with Rev. Fr. James Clark as Celebrant.
Interment will follow in Holy Rosary Cemetery.
Memorials in Alex’s name may be made to Holy Rosary School Fund, 5 Abigail Street, Republic, PA 15475.