John Andrew Pienkos

John Andrew Pienkos, of Grant Town, West Virginia passed into his Lord’s arms on Sunday April 16, 2023, after reaching the age of 82 years old. John died peacefully within his home in Little River, South Carolina with his beloved wife Sarah by his side.

John was born on June 13, 1940, in Grant Town, West Virginia to Andrew and Anna Bosek Pienkos. In 1961, John met the love of his life in an English Class at Fairmont State where he convinced Sarah to take on a bet for a hamburger over a WVU football game. This bet eventually led to marriage following his return from overseas military service in the Army in Germany in 1964.  Since then, they have been inseparable for 58 years living most of their lives in Beverly, Ohio and then leaving behind the snowy weather of Ohio winters and moving to Little River, South Carolina enjoying the sunny beaches. His love for WVU football was like no other.  He was proud to take his wife, his boys, grandchildren, and close friends to the games. Old Country Roads he loved till the end. 

Not long after John and Sarah settled into Beverly, Ohio where he worked at Interlake Steel, Kardex and eventually AEP Muskingum River Power Plant first as a HR specialist and then as a Fire and Safety / OSHA professional focusing on confined space rescue.  He was especially proud of the people he worked with and how together they built the finest Fire Rescue Unit and Training Center of any power plant in the United States.  He also proudly volunteered as a Firefighter EMT for the Beverly Waterford Fire Dept. He was a devoted member of Waterford Church of the Nazarene and was often found singing mightily and loudly the hymns of Sunday morning worship. 

Throughout his life, his love for his pets was very well known and he had many.  One of his favorites was Pumpkin and Annie, a small orange mixed breed and a collie mix - the best dogs ever.  He also loved the many rough collies that he raised - most recently Fluffy-Lassie - a loyal companion, who was often spoiled with donuts, cookies, cake, and love! Oh, and let’s not forget, Spooky-his beloved cat that he saved and rescued. 

John was also the best father ever who always took care of his sons and did the best he could to teach them, guide them, love them, and support the boys through their many sport events (he never missed a game), church events (always there), scout events (He was our Scoutmaster), and education (at every assembly, play, choir concert, award dinner, and graduations). He is very proud to call his boys his sons. When he became a grandfather to four, he beamed with even more pride. He was happiest when with his grandchildren and being their biggest fan, cheering, yelling, clapping loudly, and with bear hugs for each grandchild’s achievements. 

He is loved and will be missed by many including good friend and fellow firefighter Bernard Moyer, countless friends from Waterford Church of the Nazarene along with Reverend Karl Kesselring, his Fellow Firefighters at the Beverly Waterford Firehouse, work friends at Muskingum River Plant, recent friends such as Freddie Burris, Reverend and Mrs. Randy Ghent and family (who he spoke with weekly), Laurie Jones and family, friends at Anchor Baptist Church along with Reverend Karl Wood. 

He is preceded in death by parents, Andrew Pienkos and Anna Bosek Pienkos, his sister; Kathryn Pienkos Conaway, his brother, Marvin Pienkos, his daughter who died in infancy, and his grandson Elijah Pienkos who also died in infancy. 

John is survived by his loving wife, Sarah Ethel Pienkos, his son; Dr. John Andrew Pienkos ll, and wife, Mary Ellen Ghent-Pienkos, and daughter, Savannah Rylee Pienkos, of Myrtle Beach, SC, his son Rev. Charles Robert Pienkos, and wife, Heather Renee Pienkos, and children; Renee Sara-lyn Pienkos, Ian Skyler Pienkos, Victoria Diana-Marie Pienkos, of Charleston, SC, his niece, Anna Kay Mayers, and husband Stephen Marshall Mayers, and his great nephews; Devin Brice Mayers and Noah Stephen Mayers, of Salem, WV.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to any of the following:

Anchor Baptist Church 3300 State Hwy 50, Little River, SC 29566

Trinity Baptist Church 5330 Broad Street Loris, SC 29569

Beverly Volunteer Fire Department 400 7th St, Beverly, OH 45715

Horry County Fire Rescue - Station 18 107 State Hwy 57 N. Little River, SC 29566

Though there is an enormous void in our lives, and he will be dearly missed, we are so grateful for the husband, father, grandfather, friend, and mentor he was.  How grateful we are to know he ran his race well to the very end.  How wonderful to know that very soon we will all be together forever.  

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.  -2 Timothy 4: 7-8

Proceeding funeral Traveling to his Final Resting Place with Military Graveside Service at: NMB Memorial Gardens 65 East Hwy 90, Little River SC. 29566

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