Rev. olexa Harbuziuk Legacy
Пастор олекса Романович Гарбузюк
Maria Mykolayivna Panchenko was born in Soviet Ukraine on May 30, 1932, to Mykola and Uliana Harchenko Panchenko. She had two older sisters, Katherine and Olga, an older brother Nick, and a younger brother Anatoly.
This was a tough time in Ukrainian history because it was in the midst of the Holodomor, the genocide of the Ukrainian people through starvation as ordered by Stalin. World War II began in 1939, when she was just 7 years old.
In 1943, the Panchenko family escaped Soviet-occupied Ukraine, traveling by horse and wagon through western Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and Hungary. In Hungary, the family was immediately put into boxcars by the German army and sent to Germany to work as forced slave labor.
In 1944, her family was assigned to a work camp in Hanover, Germany. At the age of 12, she was sent to the factory to work alongside her parents. Schooling would have to wait as the family struggled to survive in the labor camp. She had vivid memories of hiding in shelters during allied bombing raids. To help provide food for her family, she sold wooden toys made by Russian POWs. At the end of the war in 1945, the family was relocated to a displaced persons camp, where Maria completed the equivalent of a high school education.
While in Germany, the Panchenko family made the conversion from Orthodox to Protestant, specifically Baptist. Because of this, they got baptized again as adults.
Her older brother, Nick, came to the U.S. first, arriving in Alabama in 1950, securing an American sponsor for the family. In 1955, at the age of 23, knowing little English, she arrived in New York aboard the U.S. naval transport General Langfitt and made her way via train to Seattle. Upon arrival, she began working immediately in the kitchen at Frederick and Nelson's. She held a job at the Olympic Hotel, where she was cleared through the Secret Service to work as a waitress during an event for John Kennedy before he became president. She decided to move to Chicago mainly because the Ukrainian community in Seattle was small. She secured a job with Wausau Insurance Company. However, her desire was to be with her family, so she moved back to Seattle, obtaining employment with another insurance company. She eventually became a lead in her department.
In 1961, she became an American citizen and changed her name to Marie Panchenko. In 1969, she married John Malanchuk, whom she met at one of the joint American Canadian church conventions. In 1970, she quit her job shortly before the birth of her first child. Upon returning to work in the late 1970s, she held various positions, moving her way into translation work both privately and with public organizations. She finally retired at age 77, as dementia began to set in.
In 2010, her health began to fail, and in 2014 she suffered a devastating stroke, resulting in left side paralysis, which required constant care. She initially improved far more than any physician expected because of the amount of brain damage resulting from the stroke.
Marie Panchenko Malanchuk had a great sense of humor and was always the calm in the midst of a storm. She loved God with all her soul and was deeply involved with the Ukrainian Baptist Church in the Ballard area of Seattle, Washington. She especially enjoyed singing in the choir and solos during church services.
Heaven is the abode for Mrs. Katerynczuk, 93
Tatiana Katerynczuk, a longtime member of the Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church in Crum Lynne, Pennsylvania, died August 27, 2016 at the age of 93.
Sister Katerynczuk was born in Ukraine and came to the United States in 1951, settling in Chester, Pennsylvania. Her husband died in 1986.
Burial was held Thursday, September 1. Condolences are sent to her two sons, daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other relatives.
Martha Harbuziuk enters her heavenly home
Martha Harbuziuk, a former member of the Ukrainian Baptist Church of Chicago, died today (Saturday, December 31, 2016) at the age of 91. She was the sister-in-law of Rev. Olexa and Mrs. Sophia Harbuziuk and the beloved aunt of their seven children.
Olexa’s brother John married Martha in Germany on November 8, 1947. They immigrated to Chicago at the urging of Olexa, who was the pastor of the Ukrainian Baptist Church of Chicago. The two families lived in the same house in Chicago for a few years in the early 1950s – Olexa on the first floor and John on the second floor. The family moved later to Lombard.
Martha was kind and generous. She always baked a variety of delicious cookies at Christmas time. When Sophia and Olexa's children were growing up, sometimes the only Christmas gifts they received were from Aunt Martha and Uncle John.
In May 1972, the family moved to Jacksonville, Illinois, where John and Martha became the owners of Star Lite Motel. Martha was in charge of the laundry and supervised the maids.
Many of the nieces and nephews visited their aunt and uncle and cousins at the motel on numerous occasions. Alex and Luba even began their honeymoon in that motel. John and Martha retired in 1991. Her husband died in 2010. Aunt Martha had been living for a few years in a Christian nursing home in Springfield, Illinois.
Burial will be private. A memorial service will be held in the spring.
Condolences are sent to their son, Lothar; daughter, Dr. Darlene Melton; four grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Mueller; and other relatives.
Velenchuk
Valentine Stroich is laid to rest at age 90
Valentine Stroich (Валентина Строїч), a former member of the Ukrainian Baptist Church of Detroit, was laid to rest Sept. 29, 2016, in Michigan. She died Monday at the age of 90.
The Stroich family was prominent in the Detroit church for several decades until the church ceased to exist. Her husband, John, died in 2010. Condolences are expressed to her two sons, two daughters, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and other relatives.
Pawel Lipinski (Павло Липинський), a longtime member of the Ukrainian Baptist Church of Los Angeles, died on December 31, 2016.
Brother Lipinski was 88 years old. Burial was in Lupine Lawn in Whittier, California.
Condolences are expressed to his wife, Kateryna, and their children.
Pawel Lipinski enters his eternal rest
Peter Shep enters heaven at age 93
Peter Shep, a former member of the Ukrainian Baptist Church of Chicago, passed away on Tuesday (August 30, 2016) at the age of 93.
He was born in a village near Rava-Rus'ka (Рава Руська), Ukraine, in 1923. He came to a personal faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior in Germany, where he was baptized in 1948. Brother Shep arrived in Chicago in February 1950 with his family, and joined the Ukrainian Baptist Church of Chicago.
Condolences are sent to his family.
Obituaries 2016 / Посмертні згадки
Ilyuk
You may find other obituaries on the "Deaths in 2018" and "Deaths in 2017" pages. For earlier obituaries, please see the pages titled "Deaths -- 2012 - 2015" and "Deaths before 2012."
Blomstedt.
Juan Poliszuk called home by the Lord
Juan Poliszuk (Іван Поліщук), a former member of the First Ukrainian Baptist Church of Minneapolis, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 26, 2016, at the age of 66.
He was born in Paraguay and later came to America, where he married Mary Melnyk. They were married for 43 years.
He died suddenly while vacationing at the Ukrainian Bible Centre in Canada.
A funeral service was held at Prestonwood Baptist Faith Chapel in Plano, Texas on July 5. Interment was at Ridgeview West Memorial Park in Frisco, Texas. Condolences are sent to his wife, four sisters and other relatives.
Alla Roshten dies at age 46
. Alla Roshten, 46, a former member of the Russian-Ukrainian Baptist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, died on June 16, 2016, of breast cancer at age 46.
Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, June 18, at First United Methodist Church of Gulfport, 2728 53rd Street South. Burial will follow in Royal Palm Cemetery-South. She lived in Gulfport.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Pavel Sidorenko, in October 2015. She and her husband used to sing play at churches across Florida and also in Ukraine and Israel. Condolences are sent to her three children.
Andrey Chernyak goes to meet his Savior
Andrey Chernyak (Андрій Черняк), a member of the First Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church of Philadelphia, died June 11, 2016, at the age of 90. He had been a member since immigrating to the United States in 1993.
In Ukraine, he served in the army from 1947 to 1952. He got married in 1955, and also sang in the church choir.
Condolences are sent to his wife, Olga; his daughter, Lucy Voyevoda; his son, Peter; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Valentina Tanchuk passes on to her Lord
Mrs. Valentinna Tanchuk, a member of Grace Ukrainian Baptist Church in Warminster, Pennsylvania, died on June 5, 2016, at the age of 84.
Sister Tanchuk sang in the church choir in Lviv, Ukraine for many years. She came to America in 1990.
A memorial service was held June 8. Burial was in Hatboro Cemetery. Condolences are sent to her two sons, a daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rev. Huryn called home by Jesus
Rev. Aleksander Huryn was called home by his Lord and Saviour on May 25, 2016. He had suffered a stroke in 2012.
Condolences are sent to his wife of 57 years, Dr. Inna Artysiewicz-Huryn; three sons; two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren.
Rev. Huryn was pastor at several churches in the U.S., including Crum Lynne, Pennsylvania; Los Angeles and Hemet, California. The family moved to Hemet in 1977. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in theology. Rev. Huryn was one of the main speakers at the Ukrainian Baptist Youth Congress in Winnipeg in 1976.
Rev. Huryn and my mother (Sophia Harbuziuk) were childhood friends. They grew up in the same village and attended the same church, and were about a year apart in age.
Domashovetz
Dankow
Biographical sketch of Marie Malanchuk (written by daughter Susan) [condensed]
Marie Malanchuk is now in the presence of Jesus
Marie Panchenko Malanchuk, a longtime member of the First Ukrainian Baptist Church of Seattle, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday (December 28, 2016) at the age of 84.
Mrs. Malanchuk suffered a massive stroke in 2014 that left her paralyzed on the left side and needing constant care, which was provided mainly by her daughter, Susan.
Mrs. Malanchuk enjoyed traveling with her family to conferences of the Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Convention.
Condolences are expressed to her husband, daughter and other relatives. Services and funeral arrangements are pending.
Kyryliw
Galina Logvinova enters heaven at age 86
Galina Logvinova (Галина Логвинова), a member of Spring of Life Ukrainian Baptist Church in Orangevale (Sacramento), California, went to be with the Lord on November 13, 2016 at the age of 86.
Martha Czerwinskyj now in presence of Jesus
Martha Czerwinskyj, a member of the Ukrainian Baptist Church in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has joined her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in heaven.
Sister Czerwinskyj died May 9, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Hospital at the age of 96. She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael, in January 2015, whom she had married in Germany after World War II ended.
Her life’s journey took her from her birthplace in western Ukraine, to forced labor in Germany during World War II, to Belgium and to Canada.
They joined the Toronto church after moving from Vernon, British Columbia at the time when Rev. Zachar Reczun-Panko was the pastor. Sister Czerwinskyj was unable to attend services the last few years because of her health.
A service celebrating her life was held Monday, May 16, at Turner & Porter Funeral Directors, Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario.
Sympathy is expressed to her daughter, Stefania Kohut (Walter); her son, Eugene; and her granddaughter, Amy Kohut.
Earthly life ends for Mrs. Kowalsetskyj
Helena Kowalsetskyj, a former member of the First Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church of Philadelphia, died on May 8.
She was the wife of Iwan Kowalsetskyj, a renowned choir conductor, first in Brazil and then in the United States. The family emigrated from Brazil to America in 1986.
Condolences are sent to her husband, children, grandchildren and other relatives.
Andrew Hayduchok passes on to heaven at age 49
Andrew Hayduchok, a former member of the First Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church of Philadelphia, was laid to rest today (Saturday, April 9, 2016) at the age of 49.
He died March 26 while visiting his native city of Lviv, Ukraine. He immigrated with his family to America in November 1989.
Andrew's love of music was reflected in his singing in the mixed choir and the men's choir at the First Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church in Philadelphia for many years. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Temple University. Andrew was remembered for his helpful attitude, as noted by several speakers at the funeral service on Friday evening at Joseph Levine & Sons funeral home in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania.
Condolences are sent to his mother, his brother Victor, his twin sister Oksana and other relatives. Burial was in Lawnview Cemetery.
Antonia Schewtchuk is laid to rest at age 94
A funeral was held Monday, April 4 for Mrs. Antonia Schewtchuk, a member of the Ukrainian Baptist Church in North Port, Florida, who passed on to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 94 on March 31.
She had been a member of the Ukrainian Baptist Church of Chicago for many years until moving to Florida in 1988.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fedir, in 1995, and by her daughter, Lilly, in 2010. Sister Schewtchuk had a pacemaker installed in the summer of 2013.
Condolences are sent to her son, Alex.
Thomas Gaponiuk moves on to heaven at age 79
Thomas Gaponiuk, a former member of the Ukrainian Baptist Church of Chicago, died Wednesday, March 9, 2016 of a heart attack at age 79 in Tampa, Florida.
Thomas Gaponiuk was born on Ukrainian ethnic territory in the Cholm area, which came under Polish rule. His family immigrated to Brazil in 1937 when he was a baby. He emigrated from Brazil to Chicago in 1964.
At the Ukrainian Baptist Church of Chicago, he was baptized in 1969 and he married Mary Kuzmyn in 1973. They moved to Hollywood, Florida in the mid-1970s, then to Tampa in 1979.
Brother Gaponiuk worked for many years in an upholstery shop owned by his brother, Peter.
Visitation and a service celebrating his life were held March 16 at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida. Interment was in Royal Palm Cemetery in St. Petersburg.
Condolences are sent to his brother, Peter; to his sister, Sophia Gaponiuk, and to his other relatives. His wife, Mary, died in 2009.
Violet Dankow dies at age 66
Violet Dankow, a former member of the Ukrainian Baptist Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away March 9, 2016 in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
She was married to Matt for 35 years. A service was held March 14 at a funeral home, followed by burial.
Condolences are sent to her husband, mother Mary Zabramski, children, grandchildren, sister and other relatives.
Mrs. Domashovetz is welcomed into paradise
Mrs. Alexandra Domashovetz, a former member of the First Ukrainian Baptist Church in Irvington, New Jersey, died at the age of 91 on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016.
Since 2012, she had been residing with her son, Igor, and daughter-in-law, Anita, in Colorado.
Mrs. Domashovetz traveled extensively with her husband, the Rev. Dr. Volodymyr Domashovetz, who was a leader of Ukrainian Baptists in the free world and was pastor of the church in Irvington for many years.
She attended many annual conferences of the Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Convention (UEBC) in the United States; conferences of the All-Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Fellowship, many of which were held at the Ukrainian Bible Centre in Canada; and also other conferences in Canada and the U.S. She also attended many other events at various churches. She often recited poetry during her visits.
Sister Domashovetz also was active in the women's division of the UEBC by participating in programs and ministries and even holding elective office, for example, as assistant secretary for at least two terms.
A graveside service was held February 20 at Bear Canon Cemetery in Sedalia, Colorado. Condolences are sent to her daughters, Laryssa and Irene; to her son, Igor; and to her grandchildren and other relatives. Her husband died in 2008.
Mrs. Anna Ilyuk passes on to be with her Lord
Mrs. Anna Ilyuk, a member of the Ukrainian Baptist Church in Manchester, New Hampshire, died on February 10, 2016, at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester after a brief illness. She was 80 years old.
Sister Ilyuk was born in Ukraine and immigrated to the United States in 1998 with her husband, Andrey. They were married for 55 years.
She was buried February 16 in Pine Grove Cemetery in Manchester.
Condolences are sent to her husband, four sons, a daughter, 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
God calls Mrs. Natalia Kyryliw home
Mrs. Natalia Kyryliw, a member of the Ukrainian Baptist Church of Chicago for many years, died at home today (Friday, January 15, 2016) at the age of 92.
She had suffered a heart attack near the end of August. She was in hospice care for about a month.
Mrs. Kyryliw was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine into the Teslenko family. She married Alex Kyryliw (Олександер Кирилів) in Chicago on July 28, 1951. He died in 1987 at the age of 71. Their son John lived with his mother and cared for her for many years.
As a member of the Ukrainian Baptist Church of Chicago, Sister Kyryliw was a teacher for the Saturday Ukrainian School (Рідна Школа) sponsored by the church in the 1960s. She hadn't been able to attend church services for a number of years.
Condolences are sent to her son Bill, her son John, and her daughter Elaine Hankin, and four grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4 to 9 p.m. at Muzyka Funeral Home, 2157 W. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. A chapel service will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery next to the grave of her husband.
Пастор Федір Веленчук відійшов до свого Господа
Пастор Федір Веленчук, член Української Євангельсько-Баптистської Церкви "Благодать" близько міста Філаделфії, упокоївся у Господі у вівторок 12-го січня 2016. Йому було 71 років.
Брат Федір був пастор церкви в Україні біля міста Цернівці приблизно 30 років. Він приїхав до Америки 2005 року.
Передпохоронне богослужіння відбулося у п'ятницю в похоронному домі із участю пастора Манолій Глущака із Атланта, Джорджа, та пастора Анатолій Мошковського, голова Об'єднання Українських Євангельсько-Баптистських Церков у США. Заключну проповідь на тему "Що є смерть?" виголосив Д-р Сергій Савчук, пастор помісної церкви.
Володимир Веленчук, старший син покійного, зворушливо розказав про життя свого батька.
Пастор Веленчук залишив у жалобі свою дружину, Галину; дочку, Таню Ремізову (муж Ніколай); три сини: Володимир (дружина Татяна), Іван (дружина Валентина), Віталій (дружина Таня); онуків та інших.
Його тіло було поховано в суботу на цвинтарі.
Rev. Fedir Velenchuk goes on to his reward
Pastor Fedir Velenchuk, a member of Grace Ukrainian Baptist Church in Warminster, Pennsylvania, died of kidney failure on Jan. 12, 2016, at the age of 71.
Rev. Velenchuk had been pastor of a church near Chernivtsi, Ukraine for about 30 years before emigrating to America in 2005.
His son Ivan is the choir director at Grace Ukrainian Baptist Church and his two other sons, Volodymyr and Vitaliy, and his daughter, Tanya Remizova, sing in the church choir, as well as two daughters-in-law and two grandchildren.
Visitation and a service were held Friday at Goldstein's Funeral Home. Burial was Saturday in Hatboro Cemetery.
Lily (Yakich) Blomstedt joins the heavenly choir
God bestowed the gift of singing upon Lily (Yakich) Blomstedt, and she showed her appreciation for that gift by singing songs of praise, thankfulness, faith and love to her Creator throughout her life.
Lily always enjoyed singing. She participated in children's programs and youth programs at the Ukrainian Baptist Church of Chicago, and eventually she joined the church choir. As a young lady, she sang many solos that were recorded and broadcast on a weekly children’s radio program as part of the Ukrainian Voice of the Gospel, which was beamed to Ukraine during the years it was subjugated by the Russian Communist regime.
Lily sang in the women's chorus while attending Fort Wayne Bible College, where she earned a degree in Christian education in 1971.
As an adult, she strived to improve her musical talent by attending music workshops at Moody Bible Institute in downtown Chicago.
Lily also sang in the choir at Judson Memorial Baptist Church in Joliet, Illinois.
In her later years, Lily used her talent by singing with the Joliet Junior College Chorale (a community choir), and she especially enjoyed it when the chorale would present its Christmas concert. Now, Lily is using her delicate soprano voice to glorify her Lord and Savior in that huge celestial choir.
Lily (Yakich) Blomstedt, a former member of the Ukrainian Baptist Church of Chicago, succumbed to cancer on January 9, 2016 in Joliet Area Hospice at the age of 66. She was the faithful wife of Erik Blomstedt. They gave life to two children. They were married for 41 years.
Lily was born in Belgium and came to Chicago with her family in 1956. She attended the Saturday Ukrainian school that was sponsored by the church. She was baptized by immersion at the Ukrainian Baptist Church of Chicago upon her profession of faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.
For a while, Lily’s mother, Valentina Yakich, lived with Lily and Erik until she died in 2011.
Besides her husband, Lily is survived by a son, James; a daughter, Jennifer Brooks (husband Jared); two grandchildren, Lorelai Brooks and Adam Brooks; and a brother, Rudy.
Lily’s body was cremated. A memorial service was held Saturday, January 23, at Judson Memorial Baptist Church, 2800 Black Road, Joliet, IL 60435.
Truck kills Yakov Zaverukha at age 52
Yakov Zaverukha (Яків Завірюха), a member of the Ukrainian Baptist Church in Hemet, California, died September 26, 2016 when a truck struck him while he was walking across an intersection near his house that evening. He was 52 years old.
A funeral was held September 30. Condolences are sent to his wife, Tanya; their two sons and other relatives.