1923
John
2015
John Semach
June 18, 1923 — December 28, 2015
New Middletown - John Semach, 92, died early Monday morning, December 28, 2015 at his home, surrounded by family.
John was born June 18, 1923 in Lekart, Czechoslovakia, a son of Paul and Veronica Slanina Semach, and came to the United States at the age of three.
Raised in Youngstown and later in Pittsburgh, he was a graduate of Schenley High School in Pittsburgh. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and served during World War II with the 326th AAF Base Unit. Mr. Semach was a decorated veteran, receiving numerous awards, including the Purple Heart. In September of 1943, he was shot down over France and was missing in action for six months, and with the help of the French Underground made it back to England. John was a member of the Royal Foreign Escape Society and the Struthers and New Middletown V.F.W.
After returning home from the war, he attended the DeForest Training School in Chicago for electronics. Along with his wife, Betty, John lived in Chicago for four years, until returning to Youngstown. In 1951, he established Semach Northside TV on the Northside of Youngstown until moving it to its current location in Struthers in 1964. A devoted businessman, John opened the store daily and operated it alongside his son, Terry, just until last year.
Mr. Semach was a member of Struthers Rotary and the former Struthers Lions Club.
When not working, he enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events and swimming daily at the YMCA.
His wife, the former Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Fiess, whom he married August 9, 1947, preceded him in death on September 2, 1989. He is survived by his four sons, John (Margaret) Semach of Palm Harbor, FL, Jeffrey (Cynthia) Semach of Delaware, OH, Timothy (Sandy) Semach of Easley, SC, and Terrance (Denien) Semach of New Middletown, OH; a sister, Mary Semach of Ligonier, PA; nine grandchildren, Jessica (Jack) Tillman, Dustin (Carolyn) Semach, Jonathan (Katie) Semach, Brandon (Dusti) Semach, Alexis and Jesse Semach, and Matthew, Michael, and Samantha Semach; and five great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Semach was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Semach; and a brother, Paul Semach.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland.
Family and friends will be received on Saturday from 3-4:45 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Memorial tributes may take the form of contributions in Mr. Semach's name to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Youngstown, Ohio 44512.
Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
John was born June 18, 1923 in Lekart, Czechoslovakia, a son of Paul and Veronica Slanina Semach, and came to the United States at the age of three.
Raised in Youngstown and later in Pittsburgh, he was a graduate of Schenley High School in Pittsburgh. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and served during World War II with the 326th AAF Base Unit. Mr. Semach was a decorated veteran, receiving numerous awards, including the Purple Heart. In September of 1943, he was shot down over France and was missing in action for six months, and with the help of the French Underground made it back to England. John was a member of the Royal Foreign Escape Society and the Struthers and New Middletown V.F.W.
After returning home from the war, he attended the DeForest Training School in Chicago for electronics. Along with his wife, Betty, John lived in Chicago for four years, until returning to Youngstown. In 1951, he established Semach Northside TV on the Northside of Youngstown until moving it to its current location in Struthers in 1964. A devoted businessman, John opened the store daily and operated it alongside his son, Terry, just until last year.
Mr. Semach was a member of Struthers Rotary and the former Struthers Lions Club.
When not working, he enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events and swimming daily at the YMCA.
His wife, the former Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Fiess, whom he married August 9, 1947, preceded him in death on September 2, 1989. He is survived by his four sons, John (Margaret) Semach of Palm Harbor, FL, Jeffrey (Cynthia) Semach of Delaware, OH, Timothy (Sandy) Semach of Easley, SC, and Terrance (Denien) Semach of New Middletown, OH; a sister, Mary Semach of Ligonier, PA; nine grandchildren, Jessica (Jack) Tillman, Dustin (Carolyn) Semach, Jonathan (Katie) Semach, Brandon (Dusti) Semach, Alexis and Jesse Semach, and Matthew, Michael, and Samantha Semach; and five great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Semach was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Semach; and a brother, Paul Semach.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland.
Family and friends will be received on Saturday from 3-4:45 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Memorial tributes may take the form of contributions in Mr. Semach's name to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Youngstown, Ohio 44512.
Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Semach, please visit our flower store.