Funeral will be Thursday for Joseph Banas, Easton Road, Hermitage, who passed away peacefully of natural causes at 6:05 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, in Hospitality Care Center, Hermitage. He was 94. Joe was born Sept. 19, 1920, in Sharon, one of 10 children born to Joseph and Mary Sholtis Banas. A lifelong area resident, he was raised in Sharon and graduated from Sharon High School in 1941, at the start of World War II. In 1943, he entered the Army and was honorably discharged in 1946 with several medals and citations including The Philippine Liberation Citation, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Medal for Service, and, ultimately, the World War II Victory Medal. Joe worked at the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp. for 41 years as a draftsman and retired in 1982. He loved spending time on the water, boating with his family. Mr. Banas was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Sharon, where he served as an usher for many years. He married the love of his life, the former Joan M. Fries, on Sept. 23, 1950; she survives at home. He also leaves his three children, Sandra Ulmer and her husband, Rick, Lancaster, Pa.; and Joe Banas and his wife, Debbie, and Bill Banas and his wife, Jodi, all Hermitage. A loving grandfather, he also leaves his grandchildren, Joe Banas, Leanne Ulmer, Janine Yager and her husband Keith, Andy Banas and Aaron Banas. Also surviving are his siblings, Martha Shaw and her husband Donald, Seattle; Agnes Conner, Warren, Ohio; Irene Evans, Pittsburgh; and Wilma Ward, Carmel, Ind. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Banas and Mary Ann Ruggles; and three brothers, John and Ed Banas, and infant Stephen Banas. His family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, 2246 W. State St., Sharon, PA 16146; or to Sharon Regional Home Hospice and Palliative Care, 2320 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA 16148. Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday (3-4-15) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Service: Burial Office and Holy Eucharist service at 11 a.m. Thursday (3-5-15) in St. John's Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Adam T. Trambley, rector, officiating. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church. Interment: Oakwood Cemetery, Hermitage. Following committal prayers, full military honors will be rendered in Buhl Memorial Chapel by Honor Guard of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6233, West Middlesex; American Legion Post 432, Wheatland; and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5286, Farrell.