KOTOPKA, John Joseph, 84, of St. Clairsville, died Monday, January 27, 2014 in Park Health Center.

He was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio on March 19, 1929, son of the late Louis and Mary Denchok Kotopka.

John was a retired employee from Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel, Martins Ferry Plant. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in St. Clairsville.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Lee Cooley Kotopka; a daughter, Pamela Kotopka and a brother, Frank Kotopka.

He is survived by three sons, Joseph (Tammy) Kotopka of Fernandina Beach, Florida, Michael (Debra) Kotopka of St. Clairsville and James (Shelly) Kotopka of Fernandina Beach, Florida; three grandchildren Ryan Kotopka, Aimee Shivley and Cory Kotopka and eight great grandchildren; two brothers, Lou Kotopka of Rockledge, FL and Art Kotopka of Tampa, FL; four sisters, Eva Reynolds of Titusville, FL, Marie Vargo of St. Clairsville, Pauline Carson of Akron, OH and Nancy Delande of Columbus, OH; several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received at the Toothman Funeral Home in St. Clairsville on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. with Vigil Service at 3:45 p.m.

Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, St. Clairsville with Father Thomas Chillog as celebrant. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, Blaine.

Full Military Honors will be conducted by the Belmont County Council of American Legions on
Friday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church or the Cumberland Trail Fire District.