Born in Pittsburgh on Oct. 26, 1911, a son of the late Joseph and Theresa (Lesko) Stefanik, he was a member of St. Titus Roman Catholic Church and the United Steelworkers of America Local 1211. He was a retired employee of the J&L Steelworks with 46 years of service, where he worked as a shipper in the welded tube department. John loved being outdoors. He found enjoyment in the beautiful flowers around in the woods, as well as being an avid hunter and trapper.

In addition to his parents, two sisters and a brother, Anna Kasarda, Helen Henry and Joseph Stefanik Jr., preceded him in death.

Surviving John are his devoted wife of 65 years, Helen Nicola Stefanik; a son and daughter-in-law and a daughter and son-in-law, Ed and Candace Stefanik, Center Township, and Donna Jean and William Elliott, Chicago; five beloved grandchildren, Dawn, Dana, Edward, Nicole and Jonathan; a sister, Mary Harmer, in Indiana, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the MASTROFRANCESCO FUNERAL HOME, 21st and McMinn Streets, Aliquippa, 724-375-0496, where a service will be held Thursday at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Titus Church.

Entombment will follow in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum, Hopewell Township.

The Stefanik family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Peter Manolukas and to the staff at Friendship Ridge for the care and compassion that was given to their husband and father and to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Orsen for their unfailing support.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made, if desired, to the Beaver County Conservation District, 1000 Third St., Suite 202, Beaver, Pa. 15009, in remembrance of their husband and father to help conserve the outdoors that John loved so much.