Jan 8, 2023

John Dovshek, 83, of Cokeburg, passed comfortably Tuesday, January 3, 2023, moments after he listened to his favorite polka music with his daughter and son-in-law.

People who knew John would describe him as generous, hard-working, supportive, a disciple of God, and a car enthusiast who was constantly busy fixing something. He was always smiling, but he would give you “the look” if you were out of line. He was a beloved friend – one who would visit you if you were sick or sit by your side during challenging times. He would give you the shirt off his back and accept no credit for his giving. John was an all-around humble human being.

John was born March 27, 1939, to John and Eva Yoush Dovshek, in Charleroi. He grew up in Cokeburg with his parents and brother, Walter.

After high school, he and his friend, Blair, attended the Washington Hospital X-Ray School. Though he attended for three years, he never took one X-Ray. He went on to attend California University of Pennsylvania for a short time to study Industrial Arts.

In September 1968, John married Marion Hufford and together they built a life most people could only dream about.

His true work started at Bob’s Service in Cokeburg, where he started working as a teenager pumping gas, working on cars, and fixing just about anything. He would later buy the station and it would become Dovshek’s Esso Station making the business his lifelong career. For many years, John traded car repairs in exchange for health care services with Dr. Changco, whose office was next to the station. Throughout this era, John and a close-knit group of his buddies (Baron Poser, Blair Yoders, George Brova, Joey Durko, “Huck” Barisa, Ray Pscolka, and so many others) got together at the garage to fix up dune buggies, cars, boats, and everything in between. John loved cars. He traveled to car shows and always thought it was a pleasure to ride along when someone else was doing the driving. He could frequently be seen cruising along Route 40 on his Harley and later in his Mustang.

John would pick berries on his property, going deep into the berry patches and coming out with coffee cans full of berries and scratches all over his arms. Marion would then turn these berries into the best raspberry pies.

Sunday afternoons were not for football in John’s house, they were for listening to polka music on the local radio station and waiting to hear shout outs to folks he knew. Harmonicas, concertinas, violins, accordions John had them all. He enjoyed playing along, dancing, and to the very end, listening to polka music. The polka festivals at Seven Springs were an annual July 4th event. Eddie B. was his all-time favorite!

Throughout his life, he spent time volunteering at Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church, serving as a volunteer fireman, hanging Christmas lights on the telephone poles on Route 917 and in Cokeburg, taking care of his mother, cleaning the firehall, calling numbers at Bingo, and he was always “on call” 24/7 to tow cars.

He was so proud of “the farm.” He loved showing it off to the grandkids and even let them ride their dirt bikes there a time or two. He dreamed of putting a house on top of the hill because he thought it was the perfect place to watch the sun rise and set.

John was a family man, a working man, a generous man, and most of all, a man of faith. His love for his family and community is something we should all try to emulate.

John is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Marion; his daughter, Tammy DiPonio and son-in-law, Joe DiPonio; grandchildren, Dominick, Natalie and Nikko. Also surviving are his brother, Walt and sister-in-law, Sally; nephew, Ron; niece, Cathi; grandnieces, Maria and Emily; grandnephews, Manny, Christopher, Billy and John.

In lieu of flowers or donations to a memorial fund, the family asks that those who remember John do something kind and generous for someone else, asking for nothing in return. This is how John lived his life and they feel that this is the best way to honor his legacy. Memorial service details to follow later this year.

Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlee’s Bentleyville Funeral Home, 619 Main Street, Bentleyville.

Guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.