On March 15, 2025, Olga Jean (Yerkovich) Lyons passed away peacefully at the age of 95.
Olga was born on Dec. 8, 1929, to Tekla (TIllie) Idziak and Peter Yerkovich Sr. in Four States, WV.
Olga traveled the world as a young adult, beginning with her move to New York City, where she worked various jobs at prominent hotels, including that of a “cigar girl,” until her brothers piloted her back to her coal mine town roots.
From Jan. 3, 1952, to Dec. 7, 1954, Olga honorably served in the United States Air Force. Most of her military career was spent working in the sub-basement of the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, as a teletype operator. After her military separation, Olga began a 33-year career as an accountant with the federal government.
In July 1956, Olga married Joseph Lyons. She traveled with her husband as he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and then the U.S. Army. She spoke very fondly of her time living abroad in France. Olga briefly stepped away from her federal service career when she and Joe adopted their daughter, Deborah J (Lyons) Plunket, in March 1967, while stationed at Fort Leavenworth, KS. They went on to adopt their son, Joseph A Lyons Jr., in October 1969.
Early in 1971, the family was transferred to Carlisle Barracks, PA, for Joe’s final military assignment. They settled in Carlisle, PA, where Olga spent the rest of her life. Joe and Olga divorced in December 1975. Olga went on to raise her two children, making heavy sacrifices to ensure they had a strong, Catholic school education. In 1980, Olga was diagnosed with a near-terminal case of breast cancer. The family was told that she would probably not survive. Olga took less than two weeks of sick leave from work and went on to complete her federal service employment in December 1989.
After her government retirement, Olga continued working part-time as a night auditor at a local hotel for many years before taking her final retirement in order to care for her grandchildren.
Olga is survived by her daughter, Deborah, of Boiling Springs, PA, and her husband, M. Wayne; son, Joseph Lyons, of Mechanicsburg, PA; grandchildren, Erin Guise, Sarah Lyons, Emily Lyons, and P. Cash Davis; great-grandchildren, Ella Grace Guise and Emelia Jo Guise; and many nieces and nephews, other loved ones, and cherished friends.
Olga was preceded in death by her parents as well as all of her siblings to include brothers, Raymond, Edward, Peter Jr., and Andrew, and their beloved wives; sister, Mary Ann, and her husband, Carl; nieces, Andrea and Theresa; and nephews, Roger and Ronnie.
Close family plans to gather at the family farm in Four States, WV, on May 10, 2025, to celebrate Olga’s distinguished life. On May 15, 2025, Olga will buried at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, with full military honors. All are welcome to attend.
If it is in your heart to make any type of donation in honor of Olga, Birthright of Carlisle was special to her given her many years of volunteered service.
