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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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