John Belis

John Belis, 86, of Washington, died Wednesday, February 18, 2009, in the Washington Hospital, following a lengthy illness. He was born September 22, 1922, in Madera, a son of Wasco and Elizabeth Dziordz Belis. Mr. Belis was employed as an electronics instructor at Sears for 20 years. He enjoyed golfing, carpentry and woodworking. Mr. Belis was a member of St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church, VFW 6321, Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion, and the American Legion in Baden. During World War II, Mr. Belis served in the Coast Guard from December 4, 1942, until his honorable discharge on March 7, 1946, as a radioman, first class. He was awarded the American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. On June 9, 2007, he married Linda Thomas, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Noreen Latshaw of Darlington and Mary (Alan) Novak of Sewickley; a sister, Daria Hutchinson of Oil City; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Deceased are his first wife, Dorothy Hensel Belis, who died in 1999;a son, Mark Belis; five sisters, Eleanor Ryba, Mary Goldburg, Christine Walters, Madeline Thomas and Anne Wolfe; and three brothers, Basil “Bill” Belis, Paul Belis and Stephan Belis. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, February 23rd, in St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church, with Father Thomas O’Neil officiating. Burial will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Military rites will be accorded graveside by Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion.