Julius S. Skoczylas

He was born on December 29, 1923, in Washington, a son of Jacenty and Tillie Skoczylas. He had attended Trinity High School. Mr. Skoczylas had worked for Fisher Body Plant, before working for, and retiring from, General Motors in West Mifflin. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during World War II, with Company A 148th Engineer Combat Battalion 1110th Engineer Group, until his honorable discharge on December 31, 1945. He participated in the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe Campaigns. For his service, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal, with 5 Bronze Stars and the World War II Victory Medal. Mr. Skoczylas was a member of the Pulaski Club, Polish Club and Alpine Club. He enjoyed reading stories about World War II and doing crossword puzzles, and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates fan. On October 9, 1947, he married Garlene Bebout, with whom he celebrated 62 years of marriage, before her death on February 15, 2009. Surviving are a son, Terry (Joyce) Skoczylas, and a daughter, Denise Skoczylas, both of Washington, 2 grandchildren, Patrick Ross Skoczylas and Corry Shane Mays, and several nieces and nephews. Deceased, in addition to his wife, and his parents, are a brother and 5 sisters. Friends will be received on Tuesday, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in the William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Ave., Washington, where services will be held on Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Dr. Kenneth Schott officiating. Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.