Francis Blaha Sr.

Francis Joseph Blaha Sr., 89, of Chester, passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2013 at MCV Medical Center. Born in Dinwiddie, he was the son of the late Frank J. and Mary Menlik Blaha. Mr. Blaha was preceded in death by a son, Francis Joseph Blaha Jr. and two sisters, Mary Blaha Woodard and Joanne Blaha Skelton. He was a lifetime member of St. James Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Father Massey Council in Hopewell. He was a veteran with the United States Army having served during World War II, and a retired Millwright with Honeywell. Francis was a loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Ethel Wrenn Blaha; his children, Laurel Blaha Rothenberger and husband, Ray, Phyllis Blaha Pate, Chris Blaha and wife, Eileen "Stokey," Cindy Blaha Reed and husband, Scott, and Charles Blaha and wife, Chelle; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Agnes Blaha Jones, Barbara Blaha Daugherty, and Teresa Blaha Smallwood; a brother, Jerry Blaha; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 26, 2013 in St. James Catholic Church, 510 W. Poythress Street, Hopewell, Virginia 23860 with Father Frank Wiggins, Celebrant. Interment will be private. Arrangements by the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. James Catholic Church Building Fund in memory of Francis J. Blaha Sr. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.