Peter P. Yelovich

Pete (Pappy) P. Yelovich was the 34th oldest man in the United States when he died peacefully on August 8, 2021, after 107.5 years on this earth. The son of Anna (Harchick) and Peter Yelovich, he was born on February 7, 1914, in Starford, PA (Ind. Co.), the second son of nine children (George, Ann, Margaret, Peter, Michael, Mark, Agnes, Robert, and John). The family moved to Central City, PA, and at the age of 12, Pete left school to work in the coal mines with his father. After the death of his father due to a mining accident, Pete and his brother George assumed more responsibilities and helped their mother run the family tavern. After mining, he and George established a coal truck business while taking up boxing. Pete was a professional prize fighter until a baseball injury prevented him from continuing. Pete and George trained boxers in the basement of the Yelovich building in Central City, which also housed the family tavern. In 1951, Pete purchased a service garage in Central City (Pete’s Sinclair Service) and ran it as a family business until 1988, when he retired and sold it.



Pete married Ann Penko on November 4, 1939, and they spent 59 years together surrounded by family in Shade Township until Ann passed away on January 31, 1999. Pete and Ann had five children whom they raised and educated together: James (Patricia Pfeilsteicker) Yelovich, Rebecca (Joseph) Sanzo, Peter (Berniece Palya) Yelovich, Karolyn (Ralph) Conrad, and Kathleen (Kate) Yelovich. Pete and Ann had ten grandchildren: James (Lisa) Yelovich, Ann-Kathryn (Timothy) Maust, Jean Yelovich (Jon) Durbin, Joseph (Karen) Sanzo, Dawn Marie Sanzo Domalik, Kristine Yelovich, Peter (Kimberly) Yelovich, Natalie Conrad (James) Barnyak, Tyler (Jennifer) Conrad, and Ronald Weicht. Pete also had numerous great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.



Pete was an avid hunter and fisherman, and taught his children and grandchildren how to fish. He enjoyed numerous trips to Colorado to hunt in the Rockies. The Yelovich Reunions were always a highlight for him, and he was proud of his family. His ever-growing family celebrated every Christmas Eve together. They also gathered this past Father’s Day for a party in Pete’s yard in his honor. He asked when the next party would be because he enjoyed it immensely.



Every day, Pappy exercised, ate well and prayed the rosary. Pappy's strong will and lively spirit no doubt contributed to his longevity.



Pete is survived by two siblings, Agnes and Robert. His brother, Michael, recently passed away at the age of 100. In addition to his wife, Ann, Pete was predeceased by his daughter Karolyn (Yelovich) Conrad, daughter-in-law Patricia (Hammer) Yelovich, and grandson James Yelovich, Jr.



(The website that tracks the oldest living people is gerontology wiki:https://gerontology.wikia.org/wiki/List_of_oldest_living_men_in_the_United_States)



Visitation Wednesday, August 11 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Mulcahy Funeral Home, 305 Central Avenue, Central City, PA. Masks are required. Funeral Mass on Thursday, August 12 at 10am, St. John's, Our Lady Queen of Angels Chapel, 162 Wheeler Street, Central City, PA 15926, Fr. Aron Maghsoudi. Masks are required.

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