Obituary of Juanita Stephens

STEPHENS – Juanita (Kovacs), 77, of Nanty Glo, passed away May 13, 2017 at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. Born October 4, 1939 in Johnstown. Preceded in death by husband of 32 years, Merle Webster Stephens; grandson, Erick Daniel Melius; and brother, Albert Polosky. Survived by daughters: Marguerite Ann, wife of Joseph Gaboda, Mineral Point; and Michaela Marie, wife of Wyatt Melius, of Vintondale, Pa.; grandchildren: Wyatt Merle Melius, Pittsburgh; Tracy Rose, wife of Bradley McQuaide, Vintondale, and great-granddaughters: Emily Kate Melius and Abby E Warzel. Also survived by sisters: Lori Ondo, Lorraine, Ohio, and Elizabeth Koss, Johnstown. A member of the St. Benedict Kingdom Hall Jehovah’s Witnesses’. A homemaker for the majority of her life, she had also worked for a time at the Ebensburg Center State School. In her spare time, she loved to oil paint and do ceramics. She also enjoyed raising and breeding exotic birds. Juanita had a deep love for her family, was a caregiver at heart, a nonjudgmental friend to all who needed a listening ear and her love for Jehovah was very strong. She read the bible daily and loved to share her knowledge and hope with others. Friends will be received from 3:00 p.m. until the time of funeral services at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, (May 20th), at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Nanty Glo, John Varmecky, officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kingdom Hall in St. Benedict, P.O. Box 183, St. Benedict, Pa. 15773.