Funeral service is Monday for Edward Steklachich of Hermitage, who passed away peacefully Thursday morning, May 7, 2015, in his home with his loving family at his side, after a brief illness. He was 86. Mr. Steklachich was born Dec. 5, 1928, in the family home in the Patagonia section of Hermitage, a son of Joseph and Fannie (Zadel) Steklachich, the third of four boys. His mother passed away when he was three years old and his father remarried the former Elsie Podobnick, who brought her two sons to join the family. Ed served with the Navy aboard the USS Anderson as a radioman during World War II and was the recipient of the WWII Victory Medal. He was stationed in the Aleutian Islands, where he earned his high school diploma. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home and began a long, distinguished career with Westinghouse Electric Corp. Ed began as a coil winder and was promoted to supervisor at the former Sharon Transformer Division plant, where he spent the majority of his career. Following the closing of the Sharon plant in 1984, he served as a consultant for many years at their operations in Muncie, Ind.; Mexico City, Mexico; Canada; St. Louis, Mo.; and South Carolina until his retirement. His wife of 66 years, the former Norma Jean Finzel, whom he married on Christmas Eve in 1948, passed away March 23 of this year. They made their first home in Sharpsville, where Ed loved to decorate their home for the holidays. During the 1950s, they won the Jaycees Christmas decorating contest on more than one occasion and during the 1990s were known for their beautifully lit Christmas trees, which adorned their property in Hermitage. Ed's passion was carpentry. He built his home and Olympic-size, in-ground swimming pool in Hermitage and his daughter Joan's home, and assisted his son with the construction of his son's home. He also remodeled many homes in the area. Ed and his wife loved hosting family gatherings at their home, and there were many. He spent countless hours preparing the pool and grounds, helping with food preparations and serving as head food taster. Ed attended First Presbyterian Church, Sharpsville. He was 32nd Degree Free and Accepted Mason and a member of Lodge 0517, Sharpsville; and Consistory Legion of Honor, Valley of New Castle. Surviving are two daughters, Joan E. Goga and her husband Michael, and Linda L. Davidson and her husband Dana, all Hermitage; a son, James E. Steklachich and his wife Ellen, South Pymatuning Township; and seven grandchildren. 18 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, with another expected soon. He also leaves two brothers, Charlie Steklachich, Warren, Pa.; and Harry Steklachich, San Lorenzo, Calif. Besides his wife, his parents and his stepmother, Ed was preceded in death by a brother, John Steklachich; two stepbrothers, Frank and Bill Podobnick; and a granddaughter, Tracey Lynn Goga. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to First Presbyterian Church, 603 W. Ridge Ave., Sharpsville, PA 16150. Calling hours: Private, for family and extended family, from 1 p.m. to time of service Monday (5-11-15) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Service: Funeral service at 3 p.m. Monday in the funeral home with the Rev. Michael Carlin, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Sharpsville, officiating. Interment: Morefield Cemetery, Hermitage.