Obituary of Michael Kokus

KOKUS Michael, 97, Ebensburg, died Dec. 23, 2013, at Memorial Medical Center. Born Aug. 6, 1916, in Madera, son of Martin and Palagia (Kowalchik) Kokus. Preceded in death by parents; wife, Mary (Sitch); brother, George; and sisters, Anna and Eva. Survived by sons, Michael G., and wife, Marcia (Komisar) Kokus, Ebensburg; and Martin T., and wife, Melinda (Stumpf) Kokus, Harbocreek, Pa.; grandchildren, Michael P. Kokus, and wife, Michelle; Nicholas A. Kokus, and wife, Mallory; Maryann Kokus; Mary Cedar Kokus; and Sonya Robin Kokus; and great-grandchildren, Jude M. Kokus and Thomas A. Kokus. Brother of Nicholas Kokus, Ebensburg; and sisters, Mary and Katherine, Poland. Although born in the United States, Mike spent his early years the Carpathian Mountain Region, which he had many fond memories. Mike was an extremely talented tool and die maker and woodworker, employed by Stevens Manufacturing and Kogen Industries. In addition, he designed and built the onion dome and many church articles for St. Mary s Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church in Revloc. He also designed and built Iconastas for St. Mary s Byzantine Catholic Church in Ramey and St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church in McKees Rocks, Pa. Mike also crafted numerous tabernacles, altars, tetrapods, candle holders, candelabras, chandeliers and crucifixes and Bishop s thrones for many churches, as well as countless other metal and wood projects. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Matevish and Matevish Funeral Home, Ebensburg, where Parastas will be sung at 7 p.m. Thursday. Funeral Liturgy will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Revloc, the Rev. Andrew Krasulski, celebrant. Interment, Holy Name Cemetery, Ebensburg. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 560 Cambria Ave., Revloc, Pa. 15948, in Mike s memory.