For Ed.
Ed Sluka Jr. April 25, 1974 - December 30, 2009
I met Ed in person only once. We were both in waiting in line for the bathroom at Ceremony on the last night at the Upstage. The person I was with, who I am no longer attached to, knew him. He seemed very nice.
Not long after, we came into contact on MySpace. He didn't remember our meeting but wanted to be my friend; so, we talked for a very long time. We had planned to meet up again, but it seemed that our schedules never quite coincided. Even if we'd go months without contact, he'd stop by with a message or a comment wishing me well. Ten days before it happened, he wished me happy holidays and a good new year.
Three years to the day of our first and only in-person meeting, he killed himself.
Edward J. Sluka Jr., 35, of Allegheny Township, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at 12:45 p.m., in his residence. He was born April 25, 1974, in Natrona Heights, a son of Edward J. Sluka Sr., of Pittsburgh, and Nancy M. Knepshield, of Natrona Heights. He was employed as a detail technician by Keddie Chevrolet Inc. in Vandergrift for six years. Edward was a 1993 graduate of Leechburg Area High School and a 1994 graduate of Vale Tech in Blairsville. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially with his brother, Kenny, and spending time on eBay, going to movies and concerts. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother, Kenneth M. Choma, of Natrona Heights; paternal grandmother, Mary T. (Fazio) Sluka, of Gilpin Township; two uncles, Kenneth K. (Mariane) Knepshield, of Gilpin Township, and John R. (Judy) Sluka, of Gilpin Township; five aunts, Pamela (Michael) Walborn, of Gilpin Township, Deborah Knepshield, of Vandergrift, Cindy (Tom) Kish, of Brackenridge, Kenna (Richard) Hill, of Manorville, and Tracy (Tom) Elwood, of Apollo; 12 cousins, David and Katie Knepshield, Heather Oldfield, Brian Kish, Matthew Kish, Tony Hill, Dominick Hill, Dillion Hill, Kaylee Elwood, Collin Elwood, Mary Umbaugh and Tina Sluka; and Grandma Jennie, of Apollo. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, John H. Sluka, in 1984; maternal grandmother, Garnet Marie (O'Brien) Knepshield, in 1970; maternal grandfather, James Kenneth Knepshield, in 1998; and an uncle, Gildo Fazio, in 2009. There will be no public visitation. Funeral ceremonies will be held at the convenience of his family. Officiating will be the Rev. Larry Henry. To send an online condolence to his family, please visit at www.clawsonfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were made through CLAWSONS, 170 Main St., Leechburg, (724-842-1051).
Ed truly cared about his friends and the people in his life. I only wish that he could have cared for himself.