Stephen L. Balla, 80, US Navy Veteran of WWII, Korean & Vietnam Wars

He was born January 13, 1926 in Lorain and had been a lifelong Lorain area resident.

Steve attended St. Ladislaus Catholic School, Whittier School and graduated from Lorain High School in Lorain.

Steve served with the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman First Class during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. During World War II he served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, in the Korean War he participated in the invasion of Inchon and in the Vietnam War he served in Danang. He was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Steve worked at US Steel in Lorain as a bearing repairman in the Roll Shop for 18 years retiring in 1987.

He was a member of St. Ladislaus Catholic Church in Lorain, a life member of both Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #451 in Lorain and AMVETS Post #47 in Lorain, United Steelworkers Local #1104 and Fleet Reserve Association Branch #17 of Cleveland.

Steve enjoyed sports, reading, crossword puzzles and traveling.

He is survived by his sister Mary Krakomperger of Sheffield Lake, brother Frank Balla, Jr of Tucson, Arizona and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank Balla in 1971 and Margaret Balla (nee Borocz) in 1982, brother Joseph Balla in 2000 and sister Elsie Bock in 2000.

The family will receive friends Sunday, February 19, 2006, from 5-8 PM at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave. where funeral services will be held Monday at 9:30 AM followed by the mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church, 1412 E. 29th St., Lorain. The Rev. James Schmitz, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain where VFW Post #451 and American Legion Post #30 of Lorain will conduct military honors.

Please make donations to: St. Ladislaus Catholic Church, 1412 E. 29th St., Lorain, OH. 44052.