John Bihun

Bihun, John 63, Cairnbrook died September 23, 2015. Born January 17, 1952 in Windber, son of the late Frank and Maria (Farion) Bihun. Survived by wife, Dorothy, whom he married on September 9, 1972; sons, Michael (Kerissa); and Dale (Ariane); grandchildren, Matthew, Madysen, Johnathon and Isabella. Also survived by sister Barbara Stefanik (Michael); nephew, Ken L. Manges and great nephew Dean Manges. John was a graduate of Shade High School Class of 1969. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduation, working as a courier and clerk typist for the Press Corps in the Pentagon in Washington D.C. While in the military John went to night school to learn the trade of drafting. John started his career as draftsman for GTE, and worked his way to becoming a combination technician serving the Rockwood and Seven Springs areas. After graduating from the police academy, John also worked part time as a Shade Township police officer and a security guard for the coal cleaning plant. After deregulation he was forced into early retirement from GTE, and worked for another phone and electric company called Aim, out of Altoona, PA, and also for Gary Communications and Morocco electric in Somerset. John started working for the Dept. Of Corrections, as a corrections officer, that lasted only two days. After recognizing his talent with communications, he became electronics trade instructor. John worked at many of the prisons in the state, and also furthered his education by taking part in many different schools. He lent his talents as an electronic tech to prisons in Texas, New Mexico, Massachusetts, and the federal prison in Colorado. He was recognized by his colleagues, supervisors, and Secretary Beard as one of the best electronic persons in the state. John retired in 2014 from the Dept. of Corrections. He was also a member of St. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, where he served as church treasurer for many years and a Sunday school teacher. John and Dorothy also were married again May 5, 1995 in an ethnic wedding sponsored by the Central City Historical Society, with all the proceeds going to build the museum in Central City Park. John was an avid hunter, (always bringing home the first buck). He loved to fish. He also loved gardening in which he planted over 400 garlic bulbs every year, to make his special garlic powder. He was also a beekeeper. The Dept. of Agriculture claimed he had the healthiest apiary in the county, and wanted to take a part of the brood to Penn State to exam and do further testing. Most of all John loved his family and spending time with them. He enjoyed having the traditional Christmas and Easter meals at his home. He will be missed by his beloved pets, CoCo, the kitten he rescued from the woods, Panda, and our newest member Angel.

You are my “North Star”, so when I look up at the night sky, I know you are still guiding me.

Private arrangements in charge of the Mulcahy Funeral Home, Central City. The family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society in John’s memory.

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