John A. Maholic, 90, Leading Pitcher in Lorain City and National Tube Softball Leagues

He was born in Belle Valley, Ohio on July 25, 1924 and had been a resident of Elyria since 1945 coming from Lorain.

John was a 1942 graduate of Belle Valley High School; a member of United Steelworkers Local # 1104, he had been employed as a wireman in the electrical maintenance department of the National Tube Company and its successor the United States Steel Corporation for forty-two years. He retired from the steel producer in 1984.

Mr. Maholic was a charter member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Elyria Township and was a member of the Holy Name Society there. He had also donated countless hours of his time in providing assistance with a host of project and electrical repairs throughout the church complex.

Known as “Long John Maholic” in his earlier days, he was a leading pitcher in both the Lorain City and National Tube Softball Leagues.

John spent much of his free time tending to his vegetable garden as well as raising rabbits and poultry. Additional interests included league bowling. He was also a social member of both Amvets Post # 47 and the Polish American Citizens Club.

Survivors include daughters Nerissa Maholic of Elyria, Gayle Harpel (Douglas) of Temperance, Michigan, and Nancy Mroz (Ken) of North Olmsted, and sons Kenneth A. Maholic of Elyria and Keith J. Maholic (Donna) of Lorain. Additional survivors include ten grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, and his brother Allen Mihalik (Lucida) of Elyria.

John was preceded in death by his wife Gladys (nee Boythem) in 1983, by his parents John and Susan (nee Endrick) Mihalik, by brothers Steven, Joseph, Thomas, Andrew, William, and John Mihalik, Jr, and by sisters Mary Wilhelm, Margaret Mihalik, Martha Ciesla, Helen Lockhart, and Elizabeth “Betty” Merrill.

Visitation will be Sunday from 3 to 8 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. Funeral services will be Monday beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. in St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 41295 North Ridge Road, Elyria Township. Reverend Donald Dunson, pastor of the parish will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

The family encourages memorial contributions to either St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church or to the Hospice of the Western Reserve.

To share your memories and condolences with John’s family, please visit www.gluvna.net.