Stanley Araneicka

Stanley Araneicka, 93, of McDonald, was called to heaven, Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at UPMC Passavant Hospital.

He was born August 18, 1924 in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, a son of the late Joseph and Mary (Hilarski) Araneicka. He grew up in Cecil and lived in McDonald for the past 68 years.

Mr. Araneicka was a proud member of the “Greatest Generation” serving in the U.S. Army 502 Artillery division in the Pacific Theater. He was in the first wave of the invasion of Leyte Gulf, Philippines and participated in the release of POW’s from the “Bataan Death March”. He was on a ship bound for the invasion of Japan when the United States dropped the atomic bomb.

He was a master machinist and tool and die maker who was employed by various companies throughout the Pittsburgh area. He retired from Consol Energy in 1985.

Mr. Araneicka was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Steelers. He enjoyed gardening, wood and metal working, stock investing, reading and watching WWII documentaries, cooking and especially making pierogies.

On July 27, 1950, he married Rose Marie Taborski, who died April 25, 2016.

Surviving is a daughter, Cheryl L. Araneicka of Aliquippa; a son, David S. (Vickie) Araneicka of Gibsonia; and a brother, Walter Araneicka of Bethal Park.

Deceased are two sisters, Mary Stepnak and Alice Wasik; and two brothers, John Araneicka and Anthony Novak.

Family will receive friends on Monday, January 15, 2018 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Nation Funeral Home Inc., 220 E. Lincoln Ave., McDonald, where a Blessing Service will take place Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 9:45 a.m. Interment will follow in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to McDonald Meals on Wheels, 119 Station St., McDonald, PA 15057 or The Humane Society of Washington PA, 1527 Rt. 136, Eighty Four, PA 15330.