George Butela

Of Shaler Twp., passed away peacefully at the VA Hospital on September 7, 2018, just shy of his 92nd birthday, after suffering a stroke. He is reunited with his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth "Betty" (nee Mariani); his parents John and Mary (nee Ostroski); siblings John, Anna, Mary, Helen and Leonard. He is survived by his children, George L. (Barbara), John "Jay", Mariann Tullius (Jerry), and Cathy Weidner (Tom); grandchildren Heather Whetstone, Justin Butela, Ashley Butela, Trish Hanselman, Katie Doffin, and T.J. Weidner; and many great-grandchildren. George was born September 25, 1926 in Mt. Carmel, a small central PA town known for coal mines and high-school football. Upon graduating high school, he enlisted in the US Navy, where he proudly served as Signalman Third Class in the Pacific Theater during WWII. After discharge, he met a pretty brunette nurse from Pittsburgh who happened to be visiting Mt. Carmel; 15 months later, that pretty brunette became his wife. The newlyweds set up house in a small apartment in Bloomfield, where they worked hard and saved for a house. Ten years later, they bought that house and moved to "the suburbs" with their two sons, and soon added two daughters to complete the family. Although George had graduated from Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon) with a certificate in Drafting, he found work at Otto Milk where he stayed until the company closed 17 years later. Always skilled at home-repair, he found work with Allegheny Housing (AHRCO) until retirement. George was an active member of Shaler Villa Vol. Fire Co., where he was Chief for 40 years and led the drive to buy a rescue truck, used to start the ambulance service (now Shaler EMS). George was a certified Paramedic and encouraged others to receive EMT training. He served his community in various ways, attending township meetings, serving as a Democratic Committee Chairman, and working the election polls for many years alongside his wife. After Betty passed in 2012, he took numerous trips to the West Coast. George was a force of nature, known and loved by many. He enjoyed the Steelers, the History Channel and lunches at Eat nPark. Jay and Mariann wish to thank the VA Staff, who provided wonderful care through the years, especially in Dads final days.

Celebrate Mr. Butelas life with his family on Sunday from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at Perman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 923 Saxonburg Blvd. at Rte. 8, Shaler Twp. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Glenshaw on Monday at 10 AM.