Eva Bilan was born on March 14, 1920 in Kozin, Ukraine: daughter of Metro and Katherine Sawchuk. Eva emigrated to Canada in 1927 with her parents and 4 siblings. They settled on a farm in the Kylemore district, near Wadena, SK where she also attended school. Eva was united in marriage to John Bilan on October 21, 1939. The couple farmed and raised their family near Spalding, SK until 1970, when they retired but continued to reside on the farm until moving to Yorkton in 1973. John and Eva were faithful members of Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Eva's favourite pastimes were knitting, crocheting and gardening. Following the death of John in 1990, Eva continued to maintain her own home until 2007, when she moved to Saskatoon to be closer with her family. Eva passed away peacefully on October 2, 2015 at the age of 95 at St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon. Our Mom, Baba and Great-Baba will be sadly missed by her 5 children: Marie (Michael) Parkalub of Saskatoon; Joe Bilan of Ft. Saskatchewan, AB; Shirley (Mike) Borisko of Bruno; Ron (Josephine) Bilan of Saskatoon and Jerry (Clare) Bilan of Saskatoon. Grandchildren: Brenda (Darren) King, Lori (Dallas) Fitz, Dave Parkalub (friend Tamara); Tracy (Graham) Bridges, Jody (Loren) Peck; Brad Borisko, James (Jennifer) Borisko, Debbie (Ashley) Medernach; Richard (Tracey) Bilan, Steven (Corinne) Bilan, Michael Bilan (friend Leanne); Sarah (Phil) Squire, T.J. Bilan. Eva also had 20 great-grandchildren; 4 sisters: Anne Wiebe, Minnie White, Lena Leland and Stella Hodge; numerous nieces, nephews and her many other relatives and friends. Eva was predeceased by husband John, parents Metro and Katherine Sawchuk, daughter-in-law, Sharon Bilan; grandson, Robert Borisko; 5 brothers: George, John, Fred, Mike and Peter; along with numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Prayers were held on Tuesday evening, October 6, 2015 and the funeral service on Wednesday morning, October 7, 2015, all from the Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton. Very Rev. Mel Slashinky officiated. Cantor, Gerald Yaholnitsky, assisted by members of the parish Choir sang the responses. Members of the Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada, Olena Pchilka branch formed an Honour Guard, led by flag bearer Natalie Heshka. The cross bearer was Brad Borisko. The interment took place in the Garden of Gethsemane with James Borisko, David Parkalub and Richard, Steven, Michael and T.J. Bilan serving as the casket bearers. Condolences may be left at baileysfuneralhome.com. Memorials were to one's charity of choice.
