Eugene F. Saladna – Belle Vernon
Eugene F. Saladna, 83, of Belle Vernon, Rostraver Township, passed away Wednesday, July 17, 2019, peacefully at his home surrounded by his family. Born Sept. 20, 1935, in Millsboro, Pa., he was the son of the late Frank Saladna and Mary Trun Saladna Bartko. Mr. Saladna grew up in Fredericktown before moving to Belle Vernon. “Gene” was a graduate of Penn State University and Carnegie Tech, and a retired mechanical engineer for Westinghouse. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church, where he previously served on the parish council and was a church lector and usher. He was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army. Gene was a member of Belle Vernon Knights of Columbus Council 3026, the Charleroi Elks and the Lions Club. Gene was an avid Penn State football fan, a lifelong member of the Penn State Alumni Association and Theta Kappa Phi fraternity. Gene also served on the former Mon Valley Catholic High School Board and was a member of Mon Valley Country Club. He is survived by his wife, Antoinette E. “Toni” Steinberg Saladna, to whom he would have been married for 60 years in November; four children, Gloria Gene “Gig”’ Saladna, Mary Saladna Shipman, Antoinette J. Saladna and Eugene A. Saladna; sons-in-law, Edward Shipman and James Grossman; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and William Madison; sister-in-law, Gloria Tracey; grandson, Samuel Eugene Shipman; pet cat, Nittany; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his stepfather, John Bartko. Gene was devoted to his family. He adored his wife Toni and he took the most pride and pleasure in watching his children grow up. They spent many summers together as a family walking the boardwalk in Ocean City, N.J., and many autumn weekends cheering on the Nittany Lions. Gene loved Penn State football. He enjoyed golf, nature and music. He also loved catching up with his innumerable friends in the community. In recent years, he could often be found reading the newspaper, watching Pirates baseball, or sitting on the side porch of the home that he loved. Visitation will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME & CREMATIONS, family owned and operated, 626 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon, 724-929-6183. Prayers of transfer will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday in the funeral home, followed by a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Sebastian R.C. Church with the Rev. Michael J. Crookston as celebrant. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian Parish will pray the Rosary for the departed soul of Eugene F. Saladna at 3 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Condolences accepted at the funeral home’s website, www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.
