John A. Kropilak
John Anthony Kropilak, age 83, of Uniontown, Pa., died peacefully on Friday, August 15, 2003 in Life Care Hospital of Pittsburgh with his loving Family by his side. He was born June 14, 1920 in Baggley, Pa., the son of Stephen J. Kropilak and Mary Malec Kropilak.
John attended St. Cecelia Grade School in Whitney, Pa., and Latrobe High School, Latrobe, Pa.
In 1937 the Kropilak family moved from Whitney, Pa., to Filbert, Pa.
John worked as a Blacksmith Helper for H. C. Frick Coke Company at Filbert Mine until he entered the United States Army in 1942.
He served in World War II as a Corporal (T5) from February 1942 to October 1945. As a member of the 3rd Armored Division Recon 33rd A.R., he served overseas from September 1943 to October 1945. He was committed to combat in Normandy, France, and seriously wounded in action on July 26, 1944 in Marigny, France, while a Recon Scout Jeep Driver. For this he received a Purple Heart.
John worked at Sidney’s Finer Furniture Store for 17 years and was subsequently employed by Rockwell Manufacturing Company as a Setup Man in the Plastics Department until his retirement in 1977.
He has been an active member of St. Mary (Nativity) Roman Catholic Church in Uniontown, the Altar and Rosary Society, and The Golden Club.
John was instrumental in the development of the St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Mary’s, holding the office of President for over 40 years.
He is the last living original member of the organization.
He serves as a current volunteer and Board Member of the St. Vincent DePaul Store.
He is President of the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge No. 72 and is also a member of the First Catholic Slovak Union No. 162, First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association Branch No. 68 and Branch SZJO, member of General George C. Marshall AMVETS Post 103 in Hopwood, Pa., the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
His sister, Margaret Kropilak McKulka, his brother, Stephen Kropilak, and parents preceded him in death.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Josephine M. Dudash Kropilak, whom he married November 25, 1945; his loving daughter and son-in-law, Monica and Larry Raisanen; his sisters: Agnes Zuchelkowski of Uniontown, Pa., Josephine B. Ozanich of Uniontown, Pa., and Sister Mary Ann Kropilak, Vincentian Sisters of Charity, Pittsburgh, Pa.; his Granddog, Lucie; and several other special nieces and nephews.
John is the Godfather of Bernard Zuchelkowski of Brownsville, Pa., Sandra Christovich Kelley of Monrovia, Maryland, Christopher Lubich and Anthony Lubich both of Connellsville, Pa.
Friends will be received in the STEPHEN E. KEZMARSKY III FUNERAL HOME AT 71 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, UNIONTOWN, Pa., today from 7 to 9 p.m., Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday, August 19, until 9:30 a.m. when Prayers of Transfer will be said.
A Mass of Christian Burial follows at 10 a.m. in St. Mary (Nativity) Roman Catholic Church, North Mount Vernon Avenue, Uniontown, with Rev. Fr. Micah Kozoil as Celebrant.
Interment will follow in Sylvan Heights Cemetery, Uniontown, where Military Honors will be accorded by General George C. Marshall AMVETS Post 103 of Hopwood.
Parish Wake Service will be held Monday at 2:30 p.m.
The Rosary Altar Society of St. Mary’s will recite the Rosary in the Funeral Home on Monday at 3 p.m.
Donations may be made into St. Vincent DePaul Store, North Mount Vernon Avenue, Uniontown, PA 15401 in memory of John Anthony Kropilak.