Joseph J. Crnko, 83, US Navy WWII Veteran

He was born December 6, 1920 in Lorain and had been a lifelong resident of the city.

Mr. Crnko graduated from Lorain High School in 1938. He served with the US Navy during WWII as a Second Class Ship Fitter. He was stationed in Guam for one year as an underwater welder in ship repair. After his discharge from the military, he attended trade school at Elyria High School for four years studying heating and refrigeration.

Mr. Crnko worked as a sheet metal worker for T.O. Murphy Co. in Oberlin, A. Nabakowski Co. in Amherst and Avon Lake Sheet Metal in Avon Lake retiring in 1983 after 30 years of service.

He was a member of St. Vitus Catholic Church in Lorain and a life member of the American Croatian Club in Lorain where he served as secretary and past president. He was a 30 year member of the Sheffield Lions Club where he was a secretary treasurer and past president. He was past president of the Clearview Band Boosters, a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #637, and a member of the Croatian Catholic Lodge.

Joseph enjoyed gardening, fishing, and bowling.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years: Ann Crnko (nee Mateskovich); daughters: Patricia DiFrancesco of Lincoln Park, Michigan, Donna Clark of Avon, Cynthia Werner of Lorain, and Catherine Basala of Dearborne, Michigan; son: Robert Crnko of Amherst; 9 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sisters: Mary Goeller of Lakewood, Sylvia Vance of Garden City, Michigan; and Josephine Jankowski of Lorain; and brothers: Frank of Painsville and Tom of Sheffield Lake.

Preceding him in death was his granddaughter: Jennifer Clark; and parents: Joseph and Mary Crnko (nee Burich).

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. at the Reichlin-Cooley Funeral Home; 2920 Broadway Avenue, Lorain, where the parish rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel followed by a funeral mass at 10 a.m. at St. Vitus Catholic Church; 1785 E. 32nd Street, Lorain. The Rev. Simon Nekic, pastor, will officiate. Cremation will follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to New Life Hospice, 5255 N. Abbe Road, Elyria, OH 44035 or Avon Oaks Nursing Home, 37800 French Creek Road, Avon, OH 44011.