Joseph A. Stejno, 88, Lorain Parks Dept. Clerk

He was born October 28, 1913 in Lorain where he resided his entire life. He worked as a clerk for the city of Lorain Parks Dept. for over 20 years retiring in 1982. He was the parks commission secretary from 1958 to 1974 and became parking meter officer from 1974 to 1981. He was the steward at the United Polish Club for 5 years, steward of P.L.A.V. Post 38 for 18 years and was elected Post Adjutant for 18 years. He was appointed Jury Commissioner for Lorain Municipal Court by Judge Robert Ewers for 9 years.

Mr. Stejno attended nativity, Hawthorne and Lorain High Schools, was a member of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, former altar server and member of its Holy Name Society. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during WWII from 1942 to 1945 as rank of sergeant with the 822nd Tank Destroyer Battalion. They were in combat for 108 days beginning in Hamback, France and concluding in Landsberg, Germany. He awarded many citations and medals including the Bronze Star Medal in 1945.

He has been active in several veterans' organizations and was awarded by the State Dept. of P.L.A.V. "Veteran of the Year" in 1988. He was a lifetime member of United Polish Club Lorain and member of UPC, Elyria. Lifetime member of PACC (Polish American Citizens Club) and charter and lifetime member of the P.L.A.V. Post 38 where he was press secretary for the Legionnaire. In 1954,the PLAV State Dept. appointed him as a delegate to a conference in Washington D.C. on "Government and Veterans Affairs." He was one of the original members of the uniform squads, and served on many local, state and national committees and conventions.

Mr. Stejno was active and involved in the city of Lorain. He was the parade division marshall for Memorial Day Parades for 45 years, parade marshall for the Lorain International parade for 17 years, becoming honorary parade marshall in 1994. He enjoyed golfing in the PLAV league and traveling with his wife, especially to yearly Army reunions and conventions across the U.S.A.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Margaret (nee Dzoba) Stejno, brothers Ted Stein of Hemet, CA and Raymond Stein of Sheffield Lake, and sister Emily Noser of Lorain, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents John and Ann (Rachel) Sztejno and brother Donald.

Friends may call Tuesday, May 07, 2002 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Dombrowski-Volak-Riddle Funeral Home, 1939 Oberlin Ave., Lorain where a rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m. by the Holy Name Society. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home followed by 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church 418 W. 15th Street, Lorain with the Rev. Robert J. Glepko, pastor officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain with full military honors conducted by P.L.A.V. Post 38.