John D. Billek

John D. Billek, age 87, of Butler, passed away Saturday morning, December 23, 2017, in the comfort of his home with his loving family at his side.
John’s death came just four weeks after the passing of his beloved wife of 61 years, Joann Zitalone Billek, and his family attributes his death to a broken heart.
Born in Lyndora on June 25, 1930, he was a son of the late Michael and Sophie Loza Billek.
John served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict.
He was employed for 40 years in the Maintenance Department of Butler Armco where he served as a union representative for the plant. He was also known as a meticulous landlord for many rental properties in Butler.
John was a member of Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church.
He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, the Italian Fraternal Society, VFW Post 249, and the Loyal Order of the Moose.
In his younger days, John was a highly regarded center for the Butler Cubs football team. He later coached football for the Institute Hill Mustangs in the Butler Area Midget Football League.
He was a volunteer at St. Michael Church, St. Michael’s School, and the Cubs Hall. He served as a co-coordinator for the Butler International Drum & Bugle Corps Competition, and he was a fundraising coordinator for the Catholic Daughters of America.
John is survived by three daughters, Colleen Duespohl and her husband, Tom, of Butler, Becky Sanzotti and her husband, Vince, of Butler, and Barbara Billek-Sawhney and her husband, Rajiv Sawhney, of Pittsburgh; seven grandchildren, Jessica Sanzotti and Aaron Henley, Damien Sanzotti and Katie, Ashley Duespohl, Gabe Sawhney and Tiffany, Emiley Neudorfer and Ben, Isaiah Sawhney, and Tori Sawhney; three great-grandchildren, Aria Sanzotti, Sienna Sanzotti, and Lucca Sanzotti, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his dear wife, Joann Z. Billek, who passed away on November 20, 2017, and his brother, Wally Billek.
Friends will be received in the Martin Funeral Home, Inc. 429 Center Avenue, Butler, on Wednesday from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 a.m. from Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 432 Center Avenue, Butler.
Burial will take place in St. Michael’s Cemetery.
Military Honors will be accorded at the cemetery by VFW Post 249, American Legion Post 778 and American Legion Post 117.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Butler Catholic School, 515 East Locust Street, Butler, PA, 16001, or to St. Michael the Archangel Church, 432 Center Avenue, Butler, PA, 16001.
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