Joseph J. Paul, 85, Enjoyed exercising, bicycling, reading and traveling

Born September 1, 1917 in Lorain, he moved to Elyria in 1985. He attended Lorain High School, and served in the US Army during World War II. While in the Army, he participated in the battles and campaigns of Papua and New Guinea, and received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with 2 bronze stars, and the American Defense Service Medal, and the Distinguished Unit Citation.

He worked as an electrician for Lorain Works US Steel for 50 years, retiring in 1979.

He was a member of St. John Roman Catholic Church, Lorain, the American Slovenian Catholic Union KSKJ Lodge 101, and the United Steel Workers Union Local 1104.

An avid exerciser, Joseph enjoyed walking and bicycling, and he also enjoyed reading and traveling.

Surviving is his wife of 56 years, Katherine (nee Fush), 2 sons, Dennis, of Lakewood, and Allan, of Lorain, 2 grandsons, a sister, Johanna Longoria, of Lorain.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Paul, and Johanna Paul (nee Popek), brothers, Frank "Fritz" and Florian "Shorty".

A Memorial mass will be Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at St. John Roman Catholic Church, 2143 Homewood Drive, Lorain. Rev. Fr. Lawrence Martello, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Amherst, will officiate. Private entombment will follow in Resthaven Memory Gardens, Avon. The Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Ave., Lorain is handling the arrangements.

Contributions can be made if desired to St. John Endowment Fund, 2143 Homewood, Lorain, Ohio 44055, or the Lorain Catholic Endowment Fund, Endowment Trust Foundation, 760 Tower Blvd., Lorain, Ohio 44052.