Charles Kormanik Jr.
On the 14th Day of January 2016 our loving father and grandfather went to be with Jesus Christ, His Lord and Savior as he was accompanied by his loving family.
Chuck, who was 97, was the last surviving member of his immediate family of six brothers and sisters.
He was the fourth eldest child born in 1918 to Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants in Collier, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.
His family moved many times through the coal fields of southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia before settling in the coal mining patch of Edenborn, Pa., in 1930
Chuck was predeceased by Rita, his loving wife of 54 years and his eldest son, C.J. Kormanik, September 17, 2015.
He was also predeceased by his parents, Charles (Vasil) Kormanik Sr. and Kathryn (Hlinka) Kormanik; siblings, twins Nicholas and Andrew Kormanik, Anna Gaydos, John (Jano) Kormanik, Mary Podvoyski, and Helen Brousseau.
Left to cherish his memory are his children: Dr. Susan Geiger and husband Dr. David Geiger, Richard Kormanik and wife Lisa, Bernadette Heckman and husband Jeff and John Kormanik and wife Annette; his grandsons: Jon Geiger and wife Lindsey, Jefferson Geiger, Christopher Kormanik, Boyd Heckman and Nick Heckman; extended family Chelsea Schrader and Josh Bridge and their sons Jedediah and Julian Bridge; many loving, nephews, nieces and cousins.
As soon as the United States entered World War II, Chuck courageously volunteered to serve his country in the Army Air Corps. He was a decorated aerial combat veteran. He served in the 5th Air Force, 90th Bomb Group, 319th Bomb Squadron in the Southwest Pacific Theatre. The 90th Bomb Group, the Jolly Rogers, was known as “The Best Damn Heavy Bomb Group in The World”. Chuck attained the rank of Tech Sergeant and was a waist gunner/engineer on the B-24 Liberator Bomber (heavy) named “The Tokio Express”. He was the last surviving member of the Arnold Crew which flew 38 combat missions and 6 reconnaissance missions logging in 303 combat hours. He fought in the following battles and campaigns: Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea and Northern Solomons. His bombing missions were comprised of Lae, New Guinea, Wewak, Rabaul, Cape Gloucester, Salamanua and Admiralty Islands. Chuck received several decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars and the Good Conduct Medal.
After his tour of duty, he returned stateside and was a gunnery instructor until his honorable discharge in 1945.
Chuck was a graduate of German Township High School, Class of 1937.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Pittsburgh.
He was a two-term German Township tax collector until 1958 at which time he accepted the business manager’s position for the schools in German Township.
Subsequently, the local schools merged into the Albert Gallatin School District. He retired from the Albert Gallatin School District after 30 years of service as the Business Manager.
He was also part owner and operator of the Gates Company Store.
He was a member of the Edenborn Volunteer Fire Department where he once served as Recording Secretary, Captain, 1st Lieutenant and 2nd Lieutenant.
He was also past president and officer of the German Township Lions Club along with being past president and officer of the Masontown Exchange Club.
Chuck was a member of the Greek Catholic Union, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the 90th Bomb Group Association (“The Jolly Rogers”).
Chuck was a humble, pious man and a devout parishioner of Saint Mary Assumption Byzantine Catholic Church where he previously served as financial secretary. Chuck was strong in his Byzantine Catholic faith and gave all glory to God. He was the oldest member of the parish and attended church faithfully.
Papa Chuck, as he was affectionately called by his family and close friends, was an accomplished man who was devoted to his family and made many sacrifices for them throughout his life.
He had a warm smile and a heart of gold.
He always put others before himself.
Friends and family will be received at the KEZMARSKY FUNERAL HOME, 71 Pennsylvania Avenue, Uniontown, Pa., Friday, January 22, 2016 from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The Parastas Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday in the funeral home.
On Saturday, visitation will be held at SAINT MARY ASSUMPTION BYZANTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 12 Center Street Extension, New Salem, PA 15468 at 10 a.m. A Divine Liturgy will follow at 11 a.m. with Reverend Father Christopher R. Burke as the Celebrant.
Interment will follow at Mount St. Macrina Cemetery, Uniontown, Pa
Edenborn Volunteer Fire Department will conduct a Memorial Service in the Funeral Home on Friday at 7 p.m.
Tributes in his memory can be made as donations to Saint Mary Assumption Byzantine Catholic Church, Post Office Box 487, New Salem, PA 15468.