Daniel Justin Bilewicz, Sr., 74, Four Time Orderly For Colonel David Edwards
Daniel Justin Bilewicz, Sr., age 74, of Lorain, died Monday December 18, 2006 at his residence while in the company of his family following an extended illness.Mr. Bilewicz was born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania on February 13, 1932 and had been a resident of Lorain since 1950 coming from his native Pennsylvania.
Dan was a veteran of the United States Army serving as a Corporal during the Korean Conflict where he fulfilled duty assignments as a field gunner. Based upon his personal appearance, knowledge of general and special orders, and cleanliness of his weapons, Corporal Bilewicz was chosen to serve as an orderly for Colonel David Edwards, Commanding Officer of the 22nd Division on four consecutive occasions. To earn this honor once was regarded as a substantial achievement. Winning the assignment four times was considered an exceptional fete. His awards and commendations included the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Mr. Bilewicz was employed at the Lorain-Cuyahoga Works of the United States Steel Corporation for forty-three years; he retired from the steel producer in 1992 as a foreman in the # 1 Pipe Shop there.
A parishioner of Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lorain, he was a member of Amvets Post # 47 of Lorain, and a life member of the American Slovak Club of Lorain. He enjoyed casino gambling as well as tackling fix-it projects for family members, friends, and neighbors. He was known by the nickname of �Pops� to countless young boys and girls in the area because of his friendly demeanor and could easily have been a father or grandfather to them all.
He is survived by his wife of eleven years Vera M. (nee Morgan), daughters Diane J. Clark and Donna M. Rodriguez both of Lorain, Debra A. Perry of Cleveland, sons Daniel J. Bilewicz, Jr. of Amherst and David D. Bilewicz of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, step-daughters Gay Lyn Bilewicz of Amherst and Tracey J. Mazurek of Lorain, step-sons Marshall C. North and Jeffrey A. North both of Lorain, seventeen grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and sisters Eleanor Frasier of and Jane Przytulski both residing in Holiday, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Dorothy (nee Visluski) in 1994, by granddaughter Elania A. Bilewicz in 1993, by his father Justyn Bilewicz, by his mother Antoinette (nee Guezwicz) Bilewicz, by his foster father Joseph �Papa Joe� Glowacki, and by sisters Hedy Zaborowski and Adelle Toll.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel � 3224 Broadway Avenue � Lorain. Funeral services will be Thursday beginning with closing prayers offered at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel and will be followed by the celebration of funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. in Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church � 2702 Elyria Avenue � Lorain. The Reverend David A. Novak, M.Div., parish administrator of Saint Stanislaus Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery � Lorain.
The Ireland Cancer Center � 41201 Schadden Road � Elyria, OH 44035.