John S. Chovanes, 75, of Fenelton, passed away Friday, June 13, 2025, at Concordia at Cabot.
Born Dec. 11, 1949, in Tarentum, Pa., he was a son of the late Stephen T. Chovanes and Anna M. Mraz Chovanes.
A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, John was employed as a chemist at U.S. Steel. He also ran his own company, Fuels and Lubes, LLC. Upon retirement, he started substitute teaching at Knoch High School, where he was fondly known as “Mr. C”.
He was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and the American Society of Testing and Materials.
John loved to hunt and shared that experience with his sons. Trips to Nebraska to hunt for mule deer were something he looked forward to from one year to the next. John also loved his many pets, including dogs, cats, and horses. He spent a lot of time restoring tractors, calling it his form of recycling. Farmall tractors were a particular favorite.
He is survived by his wife, D. Eileen McLafferty (Ekas) Chovanes, whom he married Sept. 16, 1994; three sons, Eric McLafferty and his girlfriend, Kristy Collins, of Herman, John T. Chovanes and his wife, Gretchen Montebello, of Cranberry Township, and Dan Chovanes and his wife, Tiffany Morrow, of Gibsonia; two sisters Kathleen Uncapher, of Apollo, Pa., and Michelle DeCenzo and her husband, Tony, of Ambridge, Pa.; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his brother, Stephen J. Chovanes.
Friends will be received in the Martin Funeral Home, Downtown, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler, on Wednesday, June 18, from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
A Blessing Service will take place at the funeral home on Thursday, June 19, at 10 a.m., with Rev. Ward Stakem, OFM, Cap.,officiating.
Burial will take place in St. John’s Cemetery, Coylesville.
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