Dec 23, 2017

Donald R. “Sarge” Sova, 86, of Reedsville, W.Va., formerly of Rices Landing, died at 7:57 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2017, in his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born July 3, 1931, in Rices Landing, a son of the late Frank Carl and Helen Delores Lesso Sova.

Mr. Sova enlisted with the U.S. Army in 1949 and served with the 82nd Airborne in Korea, the Dominican Republic and Vietnam. He retired in January 1973 after 24 1/2 years with the rank of E-7.

After serving his country, he worked as a wire man at Nemacolin Mine for 13 years until his retirement.

Mr. Sova was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3491 in Carmichaels. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and woodworking and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

His wife, Lucille Spivey Sova, whom he married in 1973, survives.

Also surviving are four sons, Donald J. Sova and wife Louise of Waynesburg, Ronald R. Sova and companion Lisa Smith, who was Mr. Sova’s caregiver, of Reedsville, Gregory P. Sova and wife Tracy of Masontown, W.Va., and Shawn E. Sova and wife Lisa of Washington.; two daughters, Valorie L. Matthews of Dunn, N.C., and Suzanne M. Baker and companion Dea of Carmichaels; three stepsons, Franklin G. Darroch of Durham, N.C., Charles W. Darroch and wife Bonnie of Carmichaels and James E. Darroch and wife Kay of Newport News, Va.; a stepdaughter, Donna J. Shaffer and husband John of Miami, Fla.; 22 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Theresa Belski of Rices Landing; the mother of his children, Jo Ann Delores Sova of Carmichaels; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased are three brothers, Elmer, Albert and Ted Sova; and five sisters, Mary Stansfield, Anna Cebella, Veronica Galick, Frances Sova and Martha Bodish.

Family and friends are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Yoskovich Funeral Home (724-966-5500), Martin J. Yoskovich, funeral director, 300 South Vine Street (Route 88), Carmichaels, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 28, with the Rev. David Spence officiating. Interment will follow in Greene County Memorial Park with military honors accorded by VFW Post 3491 and the U.S. Army.

For additional information and to sign a guest book, visit www.YoskovichFH.com.