Steve A. Navalinsky, 82, U.S. Army Veteran

He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 17, 1920. He moved to Lorain in 1923 and Vermilion in 1956. He graduated from Lorain High School in 1938. He served in the West with the Civilian Conservation Corps (3Cs). During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne, which was honored for its contribution to significant battles in the European Theater such as the Battle of the Bulge, by being allowed to take Berchesgarten, Hitler's base of operation. He served for three and a half years and returned a First Sergeant. He received the following honors: Bronze Star and Good Conduct Medal.

He was a building contractor until he opened Willow Hardware in Lorain in 1953. He had been a parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vermilion for more than 45 years. He was a member of the Vermilion Lions Club, the National Hardware Dealers Association (NHDA), the Senior Fellowship of Lorain County, and the Vermilion 8 Ball Dance Club. He competed in sailboat racing for several years from the Vermilion Boat Club and served as Commodore from 1971-72. He retired in 1975 and engaged in the arts of furniture making, stained glass, and woodcarving. He also enjoyed golfing especially at Vermilion Country Club where he was a member.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Pauline (nee Bobick) Navalinsky, daughter Jean (Jack) McEnery of Wheaton, IL, son Brian (Jinny) Navalinsky of Conyers Georgia, three granddaughter Elizabeth, Alison, and Stephanie, and one brother: John Navalinsky of Lorain. He was preceded in death by his parents: Anthony and Mary (nee Sinkavich) Navalinsky and a son, Albert Steve Navalinsky.

The family will receive friends Monday, September 30, 2002 at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street Vermilion, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. where a Christian Wake Services will be held at 8:30 p.m.

Prayers will be said Tuesday, October 1, 2002 at the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. followed by a 10:00 Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 731 Exchange St., Vermilion. The Father Steve Blum, pastor, will be officiating. Internment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain where the Vermilion Veterans Council will be conducting military honors.