George Kalo, 84, World War II Sergeant

He was born November 29, 1917 in Lorain and had been a life-long resident of the
city.

A 1936-A graduate of Lorain High School, he went to serve as a Sergeant with the
United States Army during World War II. He was attached to the 359th Infantry
Regiment and saw extensive action during the invasion of Normandy. He was
awarded the Order of the Purple Heart after being wounded in France. Additional decorations included a Combat Infantry Badge, the European Campaign medal, the Meritorious Achievement Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Ribbon with one Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He had also served as a physical reconditioning instructor with the 90th Infantry Regiment.

Extremely active in veterans' affairs throughout Lorain County, Mr. Kalo was
recognized as 1997 Veteran of the Year by the Lorain Veteran's Council. A life
member of Louis Paul Proy Chapter #20 of the Disabled American Veterans, he
formerly served as Post Commander in 1974 and 1975 and formerly as Sr. Vice
Commander, Jr. Vice Commander, Adjutant, as well as holding a seat on the
Executive Committee and serving on the Kitchen Committee. Mr. Kalo was a 27
year member of Post #20's Honor Guard where he served as Captain of the Calling Committee. For the past twelve years, he had also served as the chairman, auditor, and treasurer of the post's bingo committee. He was a life member of Mullen-Murray Post #451 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Lorain) as well as a member of the Lorain Veterans Council.

For more than forty years, he was an active parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church; Mr. Kalo was a member and past officer of the St. Anthony Holy Name Society and was recognized as Holy Name Parish Man of the Year in 1983. A member of St. Ann's Lodge Branch #114 of the First Slovak Catholic Ladies, he was employed as a turn foreman in the Coke Plant and later in the Blast Furnace Department of U.S. Steel's Lorain Works; he retired in 1979 following 72 years of service with the company; he was a member of United Steelworkers' Local #1104.

A member of the Lorain Senior Fellowship, Mr. Kalo's hobbies included fishing, reading and playing cards.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years: Catherine "Kay" (nee Repko), daughter:
Barbara Smith of Lake Havasu City, AZ, son: George D. Kalo of Lorain, grandson,
Ryan Kalo of Lorain, sisters: Ann Williams of Cleveland, Florence Ernst of
Nothridge, CA, and Rose Jachym of Lorain as well as by his brothers: John of
Mentor and Thomas of Lorain.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Louis and Florence (nee Mocha),
daughter-in-law: Kathie (nee Hamilton) Kalo earlier this year, by a sister: Mary Vance, and by brothers: Lewis and Daniel.

Friends may call Sunday, December 15, 2001 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the
Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain where a
rosary will be conducted by members of St. Ann's Lodge Branch #114 at 3:30 p.m.
A Veteran of the Year Memorial Services will be conducted at 8:00 p.m. by
members of the Lorain Veterans Councila nd A Christian Wake Service at 8:30
p.m. Funeral services will be Monday beginning with closing prayers at 9:15 a.m. in the funeral chapel and will be followed immediately by a chapel service conducted by officers and members of Louis Paul Proy Chapter #20 of the Disabled American Veterans. A funeral mass will be offered at 10:00 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 1305 East Erie Avenue, Lorain. The Rev. Charles Henkle, O.F.M. Conv., associate pastor of the church will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain where Louis Paul Proy Chapter #20 of the Disabled American Veterans will conduct full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in his memory to the St. Anthony Building Fund, 1305 East Erie Avenue, Lorain, OH 44052.