Steven J. Kurjan, 89, U.S. Army Veteran
Steven J. Kurjan, age 89, of Lorain, passed away at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Lorain on the evening of Sunday August 29, 2021 following a brief illness.
Steve was born in Lorain on November 30, 1931 and remained a life-long resident of the city; he was a 1949 graduate of Lorain Saint Mary High School.
Following his commencement, he entered the United States Army where he fulfilled duty assignments as a Corporal attached to Division Headquarters of the 11th Airborne Division. The recipient of the U.S. Army Parachute Badge, Steve was a life-member of Amvets Post # 47 in Lorain.
Upon his return from military service he worked as a laborer for the Thew Shovel Company and later as a service, repair, and delivery specialist for the Reidy-Scanlan Furniture Company. He officially retired at the age of sixty-three from Lakeland Enterprises in Lorain where he served in the van up-fitting division for more than a decade.
Steve was a long-time parishioner of the former St. Vitus Croatian Catholic Church and was most recently attending St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish.
Extremely proud of his Croatian heritage, Steve was a life-member of the American Croatian Club in Lorain where he served as Vice President and Head Trustee for many years; he also managed the club’s hall rentals.
When not engaged with activities at the club, Steve enjoyed league bowling and was a 2003 inductee into the Lorain Bowling Hall of Fame. He was also an avid reader with a special interest in books pertaining to the military and military history.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years Frances “Fran” (nee Vidovich), son Steven A. Kurjan (Beverly) of Stow and daughter Carla A. Varos (Greg) residing in Vermilion. Steve also leaves his grandson Adam Kurjan of Stow and sister Mildred Bereznay (John) of Lorain.
He was preceded in death by his parents Stephen and Mary (nee Ostrgnaj), brother John, and sisters Theresa Skoda, Katherine Velleff, and Ann “Cookie” Yuricich.
Funeral services will be conducted privately by the family in Calvary Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory are encouraged to the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Endowment – 2143 Homewood Drive, Lorain, OH 44055.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel. To share your memories, please visit www.gluvna.net.