Serving the Ohio Valley Since 1949

Obituaries

Archpriest John J. Voytilla

Passed 7/21/2008

Text:

Obituary For Archpriest John J. Voytilla

Archpriest John J. VoytillaSteubenville, Ohio. -On Monday July 21st, 2008 Archpriest John J. Voytilla fell asleep in the Lord. Fr. John as he was affectionately known was born in Campbell, Ohio in 1937, son of John and Katherine. Fr. John was a priest in the vineyard of Christ for over 49 years and was looking forward to celebrating his 50th year in the priest hood in 2009.  He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mother Anna Voytilla, and his sons and daughter in laws John and Enid of St. Charles, Illinois, and Nick and Cindy of Mingo Junction, Ohio. His third and youngest son, Andrew preceded him, falling asleep in the Lord in 1983. He also is leaving behind his grandsons whom he treasured, Alexander and Jonathan, both of St. Charles. Fr. John also leaves behind his Sister Olga and Sister in law Joane “JoJo”, of the greater Youngstown, Ohio area. In addition to his immediate family, there are many God children, nieces, nephews, friends, and all his parishioners who will greatly miss him.  Fr. John attended Campbell Memorial High School in Campbell, Ohio graduating in 1955. Upon graduation he attended the Orthodox Seminary of St. Tikon of Zadonsk located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1959. Fr. John served several communities in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and has been the rector of his beloved parish of Holy Transfiguration since 1984. Fr. John was very proud of his church and parishioners. Fr. John has always been active in the community having served for a number of years on the Board of Directors for the Salvation Army. He was always helping people and liked to make people laugh. He enjoyed working in the soup kitchen, and attending his “rehab training” where he had the opportunity to socialize with other heart patients. Fr. John, always wearing his signature “Kamilavka”, was a fixture in the Steubenville area for the past twenty years, leaving his gregarious, indelible stamp on everyone and everything he encountered. He enjoyed nothing more than running into his many friends at the local restaurants, stores, or downtown when he was getting his weekly bulletins printed.  Fr. John was passionate about the Orthodox Church and faith. He received many awards for his service to God and the Church. He had a faith unashamed and wasn’t afraid to speak up on controversial issues. He was supportive of the pro-life movement, having attended several local and National Pro Life Celebrations. He was a true leader in the Pan Orthodox Community, pushing the agenda of Orthodox Christianity first without regard to ethnicity. This was reflected in Fr. John’s parishes over the years, as they included Slovaks, Russians,  Romanians, Greeks, Serbians, Albanians, Lebanese, and many more. Above all, Fr. John had a passion for life. He loved to sing and travel and try new things. He was an avid gardener, a great cook and a wonderful, doting grandpa (Dido). But mostly, he loved people. The more the better, and this characteristic was obvious to all who knew him. Even if you just met him one time, he would leave you with a memory you would not forget. Fr. John, Memory Eternal! A funeral service for Fr. John will take place at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Steubenville, Ohio, on Friday July 25, 2008. Fr. John will lie in state from noon-5 p.m. A formal visiting period will be held from 5-6:45 p.m. with a funeral service to follow at 7 p.m.  On Saturday, July 26, 2008, another calling period will be held at Holy Transfiguration Church in Steubenville, Ohio from 9-9:45 a.m., with Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. The main celebrant at both services will be His Grace, Bishop Tikhon.   Interment will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Campbell, Ohio.  Offer condolences at www. shorac.com

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Condolences

  • 09/03/2024

    jack springer,jr.

    i;am sorry for your lose.wish you all well and stay strong.i'am father john's god son jack jr.

  • 09/03/2024

    Randy Hatanaka

    John, I am saddened to hear of your father's passing. My condolences to you and your family during this difficult time.

  • 09/03/2024

    Rosemary Lernowich

    Dear Voytilla Family, I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the days and weeks ahead knowing that the Archpriest is with the Lord in heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Take care, Rosemary

  • 09/03/2024

    Craig Matsumoto

    To the Voytilla family, Please accept my warm and heartfelt condolences. I hope you find some comfort in all of the wonderful memories of the happy times you shared with each other. Sincerely, Craig

  • 09/03/2024

    Mandy Toncar

    ~Rememberance of your loved one; Mourning his passing....Honoring his memory....Celebrating his life. We are so sorry for your great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Voytilla family during this difficult time. Our Deepest Sympathy~ Mandy Toncar and Michael Cool

  • 09/03/2024

    Major Earline May

    On behalf of The Salvation Army, the Advisory Board and myself I want to express our sincere sympathy in the loss of a true friend and Christian Brother in the Lord. Father John never failed to inspire those who needed a kind voice and a helping hand. He so much enjoyed working with The Salvation Army to help feed the needy. His passion for the needy of the community was the catalyst that drove him to help make their lives better. He served The Salvation Army well as he faithfully served on its Advisory Board. His wisdom and heart for ministry helped The Salvation Army to reach out to those who would not have been reached in any other way except for Father John's love for his God and the people God called him to serve. Father John we love you we salute you and we will surely miss you. Mother Anna we love you and want to help you in whatever way we can in the future. God bless you!

  • 09/03/2024

    Carol Hubley

    Mother Anna, my brother Fr. John in California, called about the sad news. I am heart broken, and pray that our Lord will be very near you in this time of sorrow. You have my deepest sympathy. 11379 Evergreen Circle Hanford, California 93230

  • 09/03/2024

    Anu, Melanie, Mia, Anya, and Milan Gupta

    Mother Anna, John, Enid, & boys, I am crying my heart out right now, as I just read the page. My mother (Mary Beth) just called me with the news. I can't believe it is already Wednesday night and we didn't even know. I'm so sorry for your loss, and indeed, for all of our loss. I don't want to tell the kids and upset them, especially Mia, but I know I will have to say something. She has just noticed that I am crying. We will see you all on Friday. Please call and let us know if there is ANYTHING we can do for you. We love you all, and will grieve with you in person in a few days.

  • 09/03/2024

    Fr. John H. Shumaker +

    Mother Anna, and family, my prayers are with you. I have many good memories from my time in Steubenville with you. I'll offer Mass for Fr. John at St. Matthew's Church here in San Andreas, California at 8 am on Thursday, July 24th.

  • 09/03/2024

    Fr. Matthew-Peter Butrie

    Bog da go prosti! May God grant blessed repose to His newly departed servant, Archpriest John. He always seemed to have a smile to share with others.

  • 09/03/2024

    Pat (vengrin) & John Ihnat

    Father Voytilla was one of our favorite priests. He was one of a kind, and what a wonderful voice. He will be missed, by all that knew him. Memory Eternal. From Pat (Vengrin) formely from Mingo and John Ihnat.

  • 09/03/2024

    Pat & John (vengrin) Ihnat

  • 09/03/2024

    Pat & John Ihnat

  • 09/03/2024

    Chaplain (MAJ) Nicholas Czaruk, US Army Retired

    Fr. John and I have known each other since he was moved to Steubenville, my home parish and was well loved by his parishioners and family. During the many years of my visits home, and just recently with the death of my dad, there was always a warmth in Father John to his parish family. Just last week, my cousin Greg Barna, the President of the Parish fell asleep, and now this week, Fr John, a tremendous loss to the parish as well as to their families. May the Lord remember them both in His Kingdom and make their MEMORY TO BE ETERNAL, and may the Lord comfort Matushka Anna and her family, as well as the parishioners of Holy Transfiguration Parish. Chaplain (MAJ) Nicholas Czaruk, US Army Retired

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