Joseph Barto, 75, Purple Heart Recipient

Mr. Barto was born June 26, 1929 in Lorain and had been a life-long resident of the city.

He was a graduate of Lorain High School as a member of the Class of 1947. Following his graduating he joined the Thew Shovel Company in Lorain where he was employed as a material handler. In January of 1951 he was inducted into the Unites States Army completing his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was assigned to Company M, 19th Infantry Regiment, and 24th Infantry Division in Pusan, Korea where he served as a gunner in the Recoilless Rifle Platoon. His outfit was assigned to assist in Kumhwa Valley, Korea where he was wounded in September of 1951. Following his recovery, he returned to the East Central Front to begin Operation NOMAD, the drive for Kumsong. He also participated in the CCF Spring Offensive, Summer and Fall Offensives, and the Second Korean Winter. He was discharged from the service in October of 1952 after receiving the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal with Three Bronze Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the World War II Occupation Meda, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Upon his return to Lorain he rejoined Thew Shovel and worked there until the plant’s closing in the late 1950’s. He then secured employment with the United States Steel Corporation where he served as a gauge setter in the Rolling Mills at its Lorain-Cuyahoga works.

Joseph was member of Ss. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Sheffield Township; he was a life member of Louis Paul Proy Chapter #20 of the Disabled American Veterans, a life member of Amvets Post #47 of Lorain, a life member of Mullen-Murray Post #451 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Lorain), a life member of American Legion Post #30 of Lorain, as well as a member of the America Slovak Club.

His hobbies included collected military memorabilia, travel and photography. He was an avid sports fan.

Mr. Barto is survived by his sisters; Anna Schnur of Elyria and Margaret Skarupa of Lorain, brothers: John and Robert “Danny” both of Lorain, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: George and Anna (nee Zatroch) Barto, by brothers; Andrew and George, and by sisters Mildred and Eleanor.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel – 3224 Broadway- Lorain. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral chapel with the Reverend Edgar Anthony, pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery where joint military honors will be conducted by officers and members of Mullen- Murray Post #451 of the VFW and American Legion Post #30.

The family suggests memorials in Mr. Barto’s memory to Ss. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church- 1500 Lincoln Boulevard-Lorain, Ohio 44055