Joseph T. Ivan

10/25/1938 - 11/16/2009

Joseph T. "Turk" Ivan, 71, a longtime resident of Brown Street, Everson, died Monday afternoon, Nov. 16, 2009, in Harmon House, Mt. Pleasant, surrounded by his family in his final hours. He was born Oct. 25, 1938, in Mt. Pleasant, a son of the late Joseph E. and Mary (Buczek) Ivan who died Oct. 8, 1963, and May 1993, respectively. Turk was a devout Catholic and longtime, faithful member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Everson, where he was a member of the Holy Name Society and enjoyed doing projects for his Church and Parish Cemetery. He was a Graduate of the former Scottdale High School, Class of 1956 and also attended St. Vincent Prep School. Joe was a veteran of the Navy during peace time, attaining the rank of AN (E-3). Joe was a retired employee of Duraloy Blaw-Knox Corp., of Scottdale, with 17 years of service. Previously he had been employed by McCrory 5 and dime Stores, in State College, New York and Scottdale, as a manager for many years. Turk was a member of the Everson Polish American Club. He enjoyed fishing and spending time at the beach. He especially loved planting and tending to his flower gardens at his home for all to enjoy its beauty. Turk's memory will forever remain in the hearts of his loving family: his caring and devoted wife, Eunice G. (Nall) Ivan, with whom he celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, Sept. 21, 2009; his four loving daughters, Denise M. Garstecki and her husband, Paul A., of Scottdale, Mary Katherine Olson, and her husband, Shawn, of Lawrence, Kan., Sharon A. Kasunic and her husband, Randall, of Dunbar, and Dina L. Kuchta, of Sheldon, Vt.; his six grandchildren, Megan, Gregory and Amanda Garstecki, Marriah Olson, Nicole and Joseph Kasunic; his two brothers, Michael R. Ivan, of Gates, N.C., and Dennis Ivan and his wife, Mary Jo, of Oakton, Va.; and his canines, Mindy and Susie. In addition to his parents, Turk was preceded in death by his son, Joseph T. Ivan Jr., July 9, 1962; and sister, Mary Ellen Ivan, May 27, 1967. Turk's family will greet friends from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday in the FRANK KAPR FUNERAL HOME INC., 417 W. Pittsburgh St., Scottdale. Prayers of Transfer will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home followed by a con-celebrated Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Everson, with the Revs. John A. Sedlak and Adelbert Wolski as con-celebrants. A parish wake service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Full military honors will be accorded at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home by the Mt. Pleasant American Legion, Post No. 446 Honor Guard. For those who desire, the family suggests memorials be made directly to St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church Parish Cemetery, Everson, for additional lighting of the cemetery, or to the American Heart Association.