Ralph A. Staveski, 88, U.S. Army Veteran

He was born in Lorain on June 14, 1925. Having been born on Flag Day, he always took pride in displaying the American Flag in his yard.

Ralph was a World War II U.S. Army veteran attached to the 3809th Quartermaster Trucking Company; he fulfilled duty assignments in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, the Ardennes, and Central Europe and was the recipient of the African Middle-Eastern Service Medal with five Bronze Stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Mr. Staveski was a Life Member of Mullen-Murray Post # 451 of the VFW.

He joined the U.S. Steel Corporation in 1948 and was employed as a machine operator and crane follower in the coupling shop there. He retired in 1991 following a career that spanned forty-three years with the steel producer.

Ralph was a parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. In his free time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, and Las Vegas. He was also proud to have been a nine gallon blood donor which was used during open heart procedures.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years Agnes (nee Smitek), by children Gene and Debrah Staveski and Randy Staveski, Cathy Staveski, and Terry and Nancy Udovich. He also leaves loving grandchildren Bob and Melissa Staveksi-Kane, Tony Udovich, Joe Staveski, Terra Udovich, and Claire Staveski, great grandchildren Ryan Staveski and Nathan Kane, and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Pauline (Kaplo) Stawicki, by brothers Paul, Alvin, Raymond, Carl, and Clarence, and by sisters Helen, Mary, Virginia, and Wilma.

The Staveski Family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful care that was administered by the aides, nursing staff, dietary service, activities corps, physical therapy department, and administration at Amherst Manor Nursing Home and to all others who touched Ralph's life while he was a resident there. Additional acknowledgements go out to New Life Hospice for their care and assistance.

Visitation will be Monday September 2nd from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, Lorain. Funeral services will begin Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 1305 East Erie Avenue. The Reverend Richard Hudak, pastor of the parish will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by the officers and members of American Legion Post # 30 and VFW Post # 451.

Donations are encouraged to either St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, the Amherst Manor Activities Fund, or New Life Hospice.

To share your memories and condolences with the Staveski Family, please visit www.gluvna.net.