Rest in Peace with Jesus Grandad

Grandad (John Beley) spent his last few weeks in a tough place, and he was called home, probably with great joy, on Tuesday May 6, 2008. He left behind quite a legacy, one I am sure that many men could not match, considering my dad has 16 grandchildren of his own, and my dad had 3 brothers and 1 sister to add to those numbers. Here is Grandad's obituary, courtesy Beaver County Times:


John Beley, 89, of Fair Oaks, died Tuesday, May 6, 2008, in Pristine Pines Retirement Village, Franklin Park.

Born July 4, 1918, in Findleyville, Pa., a son of the late Martin and Kathryn Mazurek Beley, he was a retired draftsman for American Bridge Corporation with 44 years of service and a former auditor for Fair Oaks. He was a member of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Ambridge. He was an avid gardener, golfer, and bowler, and enjoyed making homemade wine. He showed a strong interest in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Beley; a brother, Theodore Beley, and a sister, Ann Ling.

Surviving are four sons and daughters-in-law, John and Debra Beley of Avondale, Pa.; William and Rebecca Beley of Fair Oaks; James and Pauline Beley of Economy, and David and Diana Beley of Economy; a daughter and son-in-law, Mary Jo and Rick Oliver of Liberty Township, OH; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren, and two sisters, Helyn Swobe of Sewickley, and Mary Tani of West Palm Beach, FL.

Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. until time of Panachida Service at 7:30 p.m. in the JOHN SYKA FUNERAL HOME INC., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge. Translation of the body will follow to St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Family and friends will meet Saturday at 9:45 a.m. at the church where a funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Economy Cemetery.

Members of the Beaver County Special Unit will meet Saturday at 11 a.m. at the cemetery to provide full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Delaware Valley Chapter, 2004 Stroul Road, Suite 208, Broomall, Pa. 19008.