Andrew J. ''Andy'' Mihalik, 81, Active with Lorain Veterans Affairs

He was born January 14, 1929 in Belle Valley, Ohio and had resided in the Lorain area since the early 1940's.

Andy served with the US Army during the Korean War as a sergeant in the 25th Infantry. He participated in the CCF Spring Offensive and received the Army Occupation Medal w/Japan Clasp, the Korean Service Medal w/1 Bronze Star and the United Nations Service Medal.

Andy worked at Thew Shovel in Lorain for 30 years and then for Lorain County Veterans Services retiring in 1996.

Andy was active in veteran's affairs. He was a member, officer and past president of the Lorain Veterans Council where he served as the chairman of the selection committee for the Veteran-of-the-Year and the chairman of Pearl Harbor Day ceremonies for over 25 years. A life member of AMVETS Post #47 in Lorain, he served as an officer for many years, two terms as commander and was a long-time member of the color guard. He also served the Ohio Department of AMVETS in various capacities for many years.

For many years Andy was a parade marshal for the Memorial Day and International Festival Parades in Lorain. He was active in Memorial Day ceremonies placing flags on the grave sites of deceased veterans and serving as the chairman for ceremonies at Calvary Cemetery. Andy was a member of VFW Post #451 in Lorain where he served as an officer for many years and a member of the American Legion Post #30 in Lorain. In 1972 Andy was named Lorain's Veteran-of-the-Year.

Andy was a member, officer and past president of the Lorain Bowling Association. In 2004 he received special recognition for his 40 years of service to the LBA. He was a member of the American Slovak Club and served on the Board of Directors there. He was also a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Lorain, the Catholic Church of St. Peter in Lorain and St. John the Baptist/Holy Trinity Lodge #228 in which he was the current Vice President.

Andy enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters Hillary and Alaina, traveling, bowling, reading, playing cards and coaching and playing softball for the AMVETS team in Lorain.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years Dorothy (nee Olszewski), sons Steve Mihalik (Jill Warrer) of Avon and Mark Mihalik (Karen Joyce) of Bay Village, granddaughters Hillary and Alaina, brothers John Maholic and Al Mihalik, both of Elyria, Bill Mihalik of Amherst and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Suzanna Mihalik (nee Endrek), brothers John, Jr., Steve, Joseph and Thomas and sisters Margaret Mihalik, Mary Wilhelm, Helene Lockhart, Elizabeth Merrill and Martha Ciesla.

The family will receive friends Wednesday 4-8 pm at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain where funeral services will be held Thursday at 10:00 am followed by the mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am at the Catholic Church of St. Peter, 3501 Oberlin Ave., Lorain. The Rev. Craig Hovanec, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain where the VFW Post #451 and American Legion Post #30, both of Lorain, will conduct military honors.

Memorial contributions can be made to Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.

Online condolences may be made at www.gluvna.net.