George T. Opalenik, 86, World War II Veteran
George T. Opalenik, age 86, of Sheffield Township, died Monday March 30, 2009 at Community Health Partners Hospital and Surgical Center following a brief illness.
George was born in Lorain on April 27, 1922 and had been a life-long resident of the city.
He was a World War II veteran of the United States Army where he fulfilled duty assignments as a Private First Class assigned to the 80th Chemical Mortar Battalion in the Pacific Theater. He was the recipient of the Asiatic – Pacific Theater Ribbon with one Bronze Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was a life member of both Amvets Post # 47 of Lorain and V.F.W. Post # 1079 of Elyria, and a social member of Italian-American Veterans Post # 1 of Lorain.
Mr. Opalenik was employed as a pump operator and maintenance man for the Elyria Water Works retiring in 1981. George had previously been employed as a truck driver for the Elyria Lumber Company; he had also worked for the Lorain Products Corporation and the United States Steel Corporation.
A parishioner of St. Nicholas Byzantine Rite Catholic Church, his hobbies included carpentry, camping, bowling, and travel.
Survivors include daughters Bonita Mateka (husband John) of Simpsonville, South Carolina, Cynthia Nibert (companion Dave Holloway) of Sheffield Township, six grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and a brother John of Sheffield Township.
He was preceded in death by his wife Juanita (nee Ledyard) in 1993, by a son George M. Opalenik, by his parents Michael and Helen (nee Lute) Opalenik, by an infant brother Michael, and by sister Helen Opalenik Sabol.
Visitation will be Thursday from 2 - 4 p.m. & 7 - 9 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain where a Parastas service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be Friday beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel and will be followed by Offers of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Nicholas Byzantine Rite Catholic Church, 2711 West 40th Street, Lorain. The Reverend Nicholas Rachford, Pastor of the Parish will preside. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by the officers and members of Elyria Post # 1079 f the V.F.W.
The family encourages memorials to the American Diabetes Association, 4500 Rockside Rd., Independence, OH 44131. diabetes.org/honor
To leave on-line condolences for the family please visit www.gluvna.net.