Obituary of Michael “Mike” Cerifko, 78

Michael Cerifko Jr., age 78, passed away at the Chambersburg Hospital in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania surrounded by family on Saturday, August 18, 2018. He was born on August 25, 1939 in Philipsburg, (PA) to the late Michael and Sophie A. (Polacek) Cerifko. He attended and graduated from Morris Township High School in 1957.
On July 14, 1962, he married Sarah Margaret Coble of Kylertown, (PA) at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Hawk Run, (PA). Together, they had two daughters and a son. Michael and Sarah enjoyed traveling together and he especially enjoyed watching his favorite sports teams which included the Pittsburg Pirates, Penguins and the Steelers.
Michael was a member of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Hawk Run, the Lincoln Club in Hawk Run, Reliance Fire Company in Philipsburg and past Exalted Ruler of the B.P.O. Elks #1173 in Philipsburg. He was employed with a number of businesses throughout his working career. These included the former Morningstar Bakery and General Cigar, both of Philipsburg; Adam Eidemiller, Greensburg,(PA); the former Sam’s Furniture, Philipsburg; delivering the newspaper at the Philipsburg Towers and finally driving school bus for Fullington and Long Motor Bus Companies until his health required him to retire in 2000. However, most people in our area would remember Mike when he worked for the former Sam’s Furniture and was a featured character in their “locally famous” TV advertisements.
Mike is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sarah of Chambersburg, (PA); two daughters, Sarajane (Cerifko) Holt and Mikeleen (Cerifko) Timko, both of Shippensburg, (PA); one son, Michael N. Cerifko and his wife, Melinda, of Gap, (PA); four grandsons: Joshua Timko, Justin Timko and his wife, Sarah of Dallas Texas; Nicholas and Nathan Holt, of Shippensburg; one sister, Shirley Kellerman and her husband, Timothy, of Philipsburg; two brothers, Steve Cerifko and his wife, Bernadette, of Niagara Falls, New York and Lawrence “Larry” Cerifko and his wife, Gloria, of Philipsburg; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mike was preceded in death by one brother, Thomas “Big Tom” Cerifko; two nephews, Robert and Michael Bruce Cuppett, and his beloved Toy Parti Pomeranian, Kody, in addition to his parents.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2018, at 11 am at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Hawk Run, with Fr. Peter Benyo, officiating and assisted by Proto-Deacon Emil Gulick.
Visitation will be on Friday, August 24, 2018 from 4 to 8 pm and on Saturday from 9 to 10 am at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home, 719 E. Spruce Street, Philipsburg. There will be an Elks memorial service held at 6 pm followed by a Panachida service at 7 pm both on Friday at the funeral home.
Interment will be in St. John’s Orthodox Church Cemetery, Hawk Run.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mike’s memory to Sarah Cerifko, 200 N. Main Street, Apt.#702, Chambersburg, Pa 17201
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and share memories at www.beezerheathfh.com.