Obituary of William L. Balas

William L. “Luke” Balas, 90, of 184 Balas Rd. Titusville, passed away Friday afternoon July 18, 2014 at Sugarcreek Station in Franklin where he had been a resident since June of last year. Mr. Balas was born on February 15, 1924 at Webster, PA, a son of the late Michael and Mary Horvat Balas. He was married to Eyla Gilson on May 12, 1945 in Titusville. She preceded him in death on Dec. 2, 2006. He had attended the Webster, PA schools and also Sunville School. Mr. Balas was a dairy farmer all his life. He had been employed at the former Universal Cyclops Specialty Steel Corp. during World War II. He was a charter member of the Chapmanville Community Church and the last living charter member of the Chapmanville Volunteer Fire Department. He was an avid deer hunter. Mr. Balas is survived by three children, Patricia Firster and husband Dennis of Franklin, Gerald Balas and wife Kathleen of Titusville, and Karen Balas of Franklin; five grandchildren, Ryan Firster and wife Angela of Cooperstown, La Nae Firster of Franklin, Dr. Michelle Balas Dutko and husband Benjamin of Titusville, Heather Balas of Titusville, and Ashley Gregory and husband Tim of Guys Mills; a great granddaughter, Aleeah Firster; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Lori Denise Firster and Sarah Marie Balas; three brothers, Michael, John, and Andrew Balas; and four sisters, Mary Kachursky, Sue Ya Senka, Lillian Sitterley, and Margaret Fair. Friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St. Titusville on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM. Further visitation will be held on Monday at the funeral home from noon to 1:00 PM at which time the funeral service will be conducted. Interment will be in Chapmanville Cemetery. The family asks that memorials be made to Chapmanville Cemetery Association c/o Mina Jackson 465 Troy Center Rd. Titusville, PA 16354 or to any chapter of the American Heart Association.