Mr. Stephen George Kotich, 84, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 in Pensacola. He was a native of Pennsylvania and a former resident of Bethlehem, Penn., before moving to Pensacola in 1963. He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, and served on the destroyer USS Keith during World War II. After his honorable discharge, he was employed by Alcoa Steamship Company in Mobile. After moving to Pensacola he was employed at Danley’s Ethan Allen Furniture Store as service manager. After his retirement, he opened his own furniture refinishing business at his home. He was a member of the American Legion Post 240 and was preceded in death by his wife of more than 60 years, Madeline Crabtree Kotich; five children, William S. Kotich, Patricia (Larry) Wyse, and Mary (Thomas) Shullaw of Pensacola, and Joseph M. Kotich and Cynthia (Charles) Jackson of Brewton; and six grandchildren, Dr. Michelle Sumrall, M.D., Charlotte Jackson Alvarez, Stephen Aaron  Kotich, Shawn Wyse, Joseph and Michael Kotich; a special friend, Billy Holley; and nine great-grandchildren.
Holy Mass of Christian burial will be observed at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pensacola. Burial will follow, with military honors, at Barrancas National Cemetery with Faith Chapel Funeral Home in Cantonment directing. The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel North from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17.