Mike, 73, of Lititz, passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2017. He had an 8-year battle with head and neck cancer. Born in Homestead, PA, he was the son of the late Michael T. Barlas and Margaret E. (Ferko) Barlas. He is survived by his wife, Joan A. (Aul) Barlas, of Lititz, to whom he was married for 46 loving years; two daughters, Margaret E. Barlas, MS, of St. Petersburg, FL, Frances M. Barlas, Ph.D., of Manassas, VA; a son, Michael E. Barlas, MBA, his wife, Emily (Savard) Barlas, MA, and their son, Michael Blake Barlas, of Wilmington, NC; a sister, Margaret A. (Barlas) married to James Kocis, of Pittsburgh; along with many nieces and nephews. He attended parochial schools and received an Associate's Degree in Marketing from Robert Morris Junior College in Pittsburgh. Upon discharge from the US Navy, he started a 42-year insurance career and retired from Lititz Mutual Insurance Company as Director of Marketing. He enjoyed Senior Men's Golf, fishing, wood working, travel, bicycling, and general relaxation. He was an avid sports fan of the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, and Pitt Football and Basketball. Mike became a Third Degree Knight of Columbus in 1978 and was a member of Council 10827 at St. James Church. He was also a social member of VFW Post 1463 in Lititz. During the periods he was considered a cancer survivor, Mike was a "Road-to-Recovery" driver for the Cancer Society. He drove patients, including the Amish, who had no means of transportation to their treatment centers. If you are reading this and are retired or have some free time, a couple of hours each week, please consider volunteering to drive. You can inquire at the American Cancer Society, 314 Good Dr., Lancaster, PA 17603. Family and friends will be received from 6-8PM, Wednesday, September 20, 2017, and 6-8PM, Thursday, September 21, 2017, at the Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home, 127 S. Broad St., Lititz, PA 17543. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11AM, Friday, September 22, 2017, at St. James Catholic Church, 505 Woodcrest Ave., Lititz, PA 17543, with the Rev. James O'Blaney as Celebrant. A viewing will be held at the church from 10-11AM, prior to the Mass. Interment with military honors will take place at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery privately and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mike's name may be made to Hospice & Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604 or to the Improvement Fund of St. James Catholic Church at the address above.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7