Alex Mihalko, 86, Purple Heart Recipient, US Steel Retiree

He was born January 5, 1919 in Nanty Glow, Pennsylvania and had resided in Lorain since 1935.

Alex served with the US Army during World War II as a Technician 5th Grade with Company B 158th RCMT “Bushmasters” in the Philippine Islands, Indonesia and New Guinea. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Ribbon w/3 Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Service Ribbon w/1 Bronze Star and the WWII Victory Medal.

Alex worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps in Northeast Ohio. He worked at US Steel in Lorain for 40 years in conditioning and as a scarfer and in shipping retiring in 1980.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and bowling and coached bowling at North Coast Shoreway Lanes for many years.

He is survived by his daughter Phyllis Szabo of Lorain, son Robert Mihalko of Lorain, 6 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and his long-time companion Bernice “Sue” Piper of Lorain. He was preceded in death by his first wife Emma Mihalko (nee Brindza) in 1960, second wife Theresa Mihalko in 1986 and parents Jakob and Catherine Mihalko (nee Ceslak).

The family will receive friends Thursday, October 6, 2005, from 5-8 PM at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain where a Parastas service will be held Thursday at 7:00 PM.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 9:30 AM in the funeral chapel followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM at St. Nicholas Byzantine Rite Catholic Church, 2711 W. 40th St., Lorain. The Rev. Nicholas Rachford, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain where the Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter #20 of Lorain will conduct military honors.