Gary Evan Ekas, 73, of Gilpin Township, Armstrong County, died at 1:30 p.m. Thursday while in the company of family members at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh.

Born in Brackenridge, Nov. 7, 1934, he was the son of John K. and Eva Vrotney Ekas.

He and his wife owned and operated the Sunlight Inn in Harrison Township for 20 years and retired in 1991. Prior to running the inn, he worked at Alcoa Research in New Kensington for 20 years. He currently was working with his son, Terry, at Ekas Automotive.

Gary was an avid Steelers fan. He enjoyed boating and spending most of his time with his family.

Surviving are four sons, Gary Earl Ekas, husband of Karen, of Freeport, Terry Ekas and his companion, Shirley Schickline, of Buffalo Township, Perry Ekas, husband of Terry Lynn, of Winfield Township and Kerry Ekas of Natrona Heights; a daughter, Sherri Ann Stitt of Valencia; a brother, John Ekas, husband of Carol, of Uniontown; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was the widower of Shirley Jean Gallagher Ekas, who died in 2005. He also was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Shirley Marie Ekas.

<B>EKAS </B>— At the request of Gary Evan Ekas, who died Thursday, June 12, 2008, there will be no visitation. A private family funeral service will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Sarver.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, 10 Duff Road, Suite 304, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.Arrangements are being handled by the <B>Redmond Funeral Home</B>, Freeport.To send a condolence visit www.redmondfuneralhomeinc.com.