George T. Blazina, 86, Shipper

He was born January 29, 1916 in Lorain. He was a life long resident of Lorain.

Mr. Blazina retired in 1978 from United States Steel Co. Lorain-Cuyahoga Works, Lorain as a shipper in the warehouse. He worked there for 37 years. He and his brother in law Steven Gasper ran a diary farm in Avon in the early 1940's.

He served in the Army in World War II as a military policeman in the Northern Apennines and Po Valley with the 339th Infantry Division Regiment, 85th Infantry Division, earning a Purple Heart, also the E. A. M.E. Theater ribbon with two bronze stars, and the Victory metal.

Mr. Blazina was a member of Saints Cyril and Methodius Slovenian Catholic Church, Lorain where he was honored as the Holy Name Society Man of the Year. He was a volunteer maintenance man for the church. He was also a member of the United Steel Workers, local 1104, Lorain, the S. D. Z. Lodge, Lorain. He enjoyed vegetable gardening.

Among the survivors is his son Thomas G. Blazina of Lorain, daughters Joyce A. Cataldo and Nancy A. Shuck both of Lorain and Georgene A. Pompei of Clearwater, Florida; four Grandchildren and three Great Grandchildren and a sister Mary Gasper Schneider of Lorain.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years Bertha J. (nee Anzelc) Blazina in 1981; parents Stefan and Anna (nee Gunjila) Blazina; brothers Joseph and Frank Blazina and a sister Anna Banjoff.

Friends may call Thursday 4:00 to 9:00 PM in the Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, Lorain, Ohio. Funeral service will be Friday 9:30 AM in the funeral home followed by 10:00 AM mass in of Saints Cyril and Methodius Slovenian Catholic Church East 31st Street and Globe Avenue, Lorain. The Rev. Paul Krajnik, Pastor officiating. Burial in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain. Where the Disabled American Veterans, Louis Paul Proy, Chapter 20, Lorain will conduct military honors.