Robert Dean Ekas Sr., 94, of Chicora, passed away Sunday morning, February 5, 2017 in the Hall of Honor at the Community Living Center Hospice at the VA Medical Center in Butler.
Robert Dean was born in Karns City on August 27, 1922. He was the son of Joseph Plummer and Emma McKinney Ekas.
Dean attended school in Chicora. He was a US Army veteran of World War II, having enlisted at the age of 17.
He received his high school diploma while serving his country.
He was a member of the Chicora United Methodist Church and the American Legion and former VFW Posts in Chicora.
He had served on the board of directors of the Little League and Boy Scouts and had been president of the Chicora PTA.
He enjoyed stamp collecting and woodworking.
Mr. Ekas owned and operated Ekas Block in Chicora for many years and retired from WITCO Chemical in Petrolia following more than thirty years of service.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Young Ekas, whom he married in Chicora on March 27, 1948; two sons, Robert D. Ekas Jr. of Ashland, VA, and Gary J. Ekas and his wife, Pat, of East Brady; three granddaughters, Jennifer Hanson, of Houston, TX, Kiley Ekas of Butler and Brooke Ekas and her boyfriend, Preston Rumbaugh, as well as a great-grandson, Cortland Rumbaugh, all of Butler; a sister, LaVaun Long, of Butler; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, who helped care for Dean, Patty and Lee McGinnis of Chicora, as well as a number of other brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Milford Ekas and an infant brother.
Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora-Fenelton Road, Chicora from 2 – 6 p.m. Tuesday where a funeral service will follow at 6:00 p.m. with the Rev. Jim Lewis, pastor of the Chicora United Methodist Church officiating.
Military honors will be accorded by the Chicora, Brady’s Bend and East Brady American Legion Posts at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Interment will be Wednesday morning in Hemphill Cemetery in Chicora.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Chicora Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box F, Chicora, PA 16025 or the Community Living Center Hospice at the Butler VA Medical Center, 325 New Castle Rd., Butler, PA 16001.
For additional information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.
