On May 6, 2026, Demetrius “Tris” Yandrich, while in his bed, peacefully entered into eternal life with Our Lord. He is survived by his daughter Ana; son Adam; sister Dessa Mrvos (Rudley); nieces Jelena Mrvos and Sara Kusic (Chris, Kalina); aunt Mercia Martich; nephew Marko Wuslich (Annie, Milo); and many other relatives, kumovi, and friends. He was born in Midland, PA and was preceded in death by his beloved wife +Olga, and parents +Marko and +Mara Yandrich.
Demetrius was truly one of a kind and lived a joyful life of tradition within the Serbian Orthodox community. Growing up in the steel town of Midland, three houses down from St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, he served as an altar boy, was the inaugural president of the Serbian Orthodox Youth Association, and was a member of the elite Midland Junior Tamburitzans. Eventually, from the back patio of his parents’ home, he formed his first “official” band Banja Luka in the tambura tradition. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, he moved to Pittsburgh and built a successful career as an enterprising sales representative, which he enjoyed but moreover he saw as a tool to provide for his family. He immersed himself in the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Cathedral community, serving as choir president and on the executive board, and was also a founding member of Tsar Lazar Male Choir. With his bride +Olga, he raised their two children in the Serbian Orthodox faith and culture and exposed them to a wide variety of other experiences. As an eager absorber of knowledge, he had a vast understanding of history (WWII buff) and many other topics; took personal pride in completing the NYT crossword daily; explored the world’s music, cuisine, and culture; and encouraged his children to go beyond his footprint and be “citizens of the world.” He also instilled an education of Serbian culture in many other children as founder and musical director of the HTC Jedinstvo Folklore Ensemble along with other young people as musical director of Mestrovich Jr. Tamburitzans. As a lifelong Serb National Federation member, he was honored to contribute his musical talent to the SNF 100th Anniversary celebration of Serbian heritage. His appreciation for culture ranged from preserving historical authenticity to keeping his finger on the pulse of contemporary music in Serbia with his band Echoes of Šumadija. His love of Serbdom extended beyond the communities in which he lived. With has band Tamo Daleko, he frequently traveled the country, exposing an elevated representation of Serbian music to many. Beyond being heard at Serbian venues locally and nationally, he played at many other venues, on the radio, and recordings of him playing are preserved in the Smithsonian archives. Following his retirement, he and +Olga joined the St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Aliquippa and enjoyed being a part of that community.
His proud presence, appreciation, and influence in the Serbian Orthodox community extends beyond what can be captured in a few words. As the “life of the party” (as we all know), his outgoing, charismatic, quick-witted, and strong-willed personality emanated. At the end of his life, his fun-loving personality remained, but his focus shifted. Though he wanted to be reunited with his bride after she passed, he persevered through many medical challenges to be with his children. Through his physical suffering, his faith deepened, as he found great comfort being in church, which became his favorite place.
Friends received Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Tatalovich Funeral Home in Aliquippa. Service was at St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church, Aliquippa on Wednesday, May 13th; interment at St. Elijah Church Cemetery, Hopewell Township.
He will be remembered by many who share in his lifetime of stories. Vjecnaja Pamjat, Memory Eternal.
