Michael J. Rutar, 98, U.S. Army Veteran

Born in Lorain on February 22, 1923, Mike was a 1941 graduate of Lorain High School and a 1951 graduate of Dyke and Spenserian College where he received certification in Advanced Accounting.

A veteran of the United States Army, he fulfilled duty assignments as a Sergeant attached to Company B / 248th Engineer Combat Battalion in Europe during World War II. He was the recipient of the European-African-Middle-Eastern Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, the Meritorious Unit Award, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Upon his return from military service Mike joined the United States Steel Corporation where he worked for more than three decades in the accounting department in the Lorain-Cuyahoga Works’ Coke Plant. He later joined the Ohio Turnpike Commission where he worked an additional twelve years in the auditing department. He officially retired in 1985.

Mike was a long-time parishioner of Ss. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Lorain; he was also a member of the KSKJ Slovenian Fraternal Lodge and was active with the Lorain Slovenian Home.

In his free time he enjoyed listening to both big band and Slovenian polka music; additional interests included gardening, all spectator sports, and Clearview High School Athletics.

He is survived by sons Michael R. Rutar of Sheffield Township and Dale Rutar of Amherst. He also leaves granddaughter Kelly Trnian of Charlotte, North Carolina.

He was preceded in death by his wife Alice (nee DeBevec) in 2001, father Mike Rutar in 1975, mother Mary Rutar (nee Yurman) in 2002, daughter-in-law Pamela Rutar in 2018, and sister Lillian Zieba in 2013.

Visitation will be observed in St. Vitus Catholic Church – 6019 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland on Friday July 9th from 9:30 a.m. until the time of his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Reverend John C. Retar, pastor of the parish will serve as celebrant with Reverend Joseph Boznar as concelebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery – Lorain.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory are encouraged to either St. Vitus Catholic Church – 6019 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44103 or to Mercy New Life Hospice – 3500 Kolbe Road, Lorain, OH 44053.

To share your memories and condolences, please visit www.gluvna.net.