TONY BYTNAR, age 60, of Portage, passed away Saturday, December 24, 2011 at home surrounded by his loving family. Tony was born in Pittsburgh, PA on January 16, 1951 and had been a Portage resident for 31 years. He graduated from La Roche College in Pittsburgh and was a retired bricklayer employed through Bricklayers Union Local #4. Tony was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church, enjoyed model trains and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
Tony is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Marian (nee Petro) Bytnar, 2 sons, A.J. Bytnar and Pat Bytnar, both of Miller, mother, Josephine Bytnar of Pittsburgh, PA, sister, Patricia (Ed) Cahill of Chattanooga, TN, mother-in-law, Alice Petro of Lake Station, brothers-in-law, Andy (Marilyn) Petro of Chesterton and Tom (Donna) Petro of Kissimmee, FL and several nieces & nephews. His father, Leonard Bytnar and father-in-law, Andrew Petro, Sr., preceded him in death. Memorials are preferred to Porter County VNA Hospice.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 10:00 am at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 2447 Putnam St., Lake Station, with Rev. Eduardo Malagon celebrating the Mass. Burial will follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery in Portage, IN. Tony will be taken to church Saturday at 9:00 am. Visitation will be held Friday from 4-8 PM with a prayer service at 5:00PM at Rees Funeral Home, Brady Chapel, 3781 Central Avenue, Lake Station. For information please call, 219-962-1606 or online www.reesfuneralhomes.com.