Joseph Mahalow, 86, U.S. Navy Veteran
Joseph Mahalow, 86, of Lorain, died Sunday May 12, 2013 at University Hospital in Cleveland after a sudden illness.
He was born September 5, 1926 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania and had resided in Lorain for the past 65 years.
Joe served with the US Navy during World War II aboard the USS LST 704 in the Pacific Theater at Leyte Island in the Philippines.
Joe worked at Fruehauf Trailer in Avon Lake for 23 years and at US Steel in Lorain as a welder before retiring.
He was a member of the former Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Lorain where he served on church council, was past president of church council and a member of the Holy Name Society. Joe was a life member of VFW Post #451, AMVETS Post #47 and the American Slovak Club, all in Lorain and St. John/Holy Trinity Lodge #228.
Joe was an avid bowler and participated in leagues at Slovak Lanes in Lorain. He was an avid Cleveland Indians fan, enjoyed sports, dancing, casino gambling, playing the lottery and astronomy. He was a good mechanic and could fix most anything.
He is survived by his children Debra Seronka (Thomas) of Vermilion Township, JoAnn Yoakem (Richard) of Medina, Joseph M. Mahalow of Lorain and Marie Mahalow (fiancé Frank Malley) of Lorain, grandson Justin Lukachko, stepgrandchildren Chad Seronka (Chelsea), Sarah Gerard (Brad), James (Bobbie), Carey (Brendan), Katie (Carl), 9 step great grandchildren, sister Mary Yenchko of Venice, FL, brothers Andrew Mahalow of Lutz, FL and Peter Mahalow of Hazle Township, PA. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years Ann M. Mahalow (nee Buri) on Dec. 18, 2007, parents Michael and Mary Mihalov (nee Kichka), twin brothers in infancy Nikolai and Stefan Mihalov, brothers John, Michael and George Mahalow and sisters Ann Powers and Susan Pacelli.
The family will receive friends Thursday 2-4, 6-8 pm at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave, Lorain where the Holy Trinity Holy Name Society will recite the rosary Thursday at 6:00 pm. Funeral services will be held Friday at 10:30 am in the funeral chapel followed by the mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at the Church of St. Peter, 3501 Oberlin Ave, Lorain. The Rev. Edward Luca 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 the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Online condolences can be made at www.gluvna.net.