John A. Milanek

John A. "Jano" Milanek, 81, of Whitfield, died July 28, 2015, in Reading Hospital.

He was the loving husband of Rose M. (Accordino) Milanek, whom he married on September 19, 1953.

Born in Reading, he was a son of the late Joseph and Catherine (Pavlik) Milanek.

He was a graduate of Reading Catholic in 1951.

Jano was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He worked for Firestone Tire and Rubber for many years, then completed his career at GPU, retiring in 1994.

Jano was a member of St. Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church, Whitfield. His strong Catholic faith was the center of his life; one of his greatest joys was serving 6:30 mass five days a week for 18 years. He made many friends at that mass, and he and his family very much appreciated the prayers he received during his illness from his church family. He was a dear man, often referred to as a class act.

He loved golf and was a sports enthusiast. He was the former supreme officer for the Slovak Catholic Sokols.

John loved to spend time every Sunday with his wife's family who loved him dearly, and he cherished them as well. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his special nephew, Robert Kostival, who donated a kidney to John in 2004; and his loving and dedicated niece Kathleen Swope who tried to donate a kidney to John as well. There are sisters-in-law, special brother-in-law Robert Kostival, aunt Veronica Pavlik, many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephew as well as friends that he considered his family that also survive him.

He was predeceased by three brothers, Joseph, Frank and George.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 12 p.m. in St. Ignatius Church, 2810 St. Alban's Drive, Sinking Spring, PA 19608, with burial to follow at Gethsemane Cemetery. Friends may call Monday from 8:30 to 11:15 in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Pinnacle Health Foundation-Tranplant Fund, Attn: Kim Barnett, 205 S. Front Street, Brady 8, Harrisburg, PA 17104 or St. Ignatius at the above address. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.