Joseph E. Zelina
Joseph E. Zelina, age 77, of Masontown, Pa., passed away suddenly on Saturday, December 9, 2006, in Waynesburg, Pa. He was born on May 23, 1929, in Bobtown, Pa., the son of Joseph E. Zelina Sr. and Margaret (Kostar) Zelina.
Joseph was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Leckrone, Pa.
He graduated from the now former Point Marion High School, Point Marion, Pa.
During the Korean War, he proudly served his country with the United States Army at the rank of Corporal (Medic). He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Bravery Under Fire.
A musician and drummer in his earlier years, he was the last surviving member of the polka group “The Jolly Premiers”, with whom he recorded two single records.
Joseph was a member of the United Mine Workers of America Local Union 762, the Fort Mason American Legion Post 423, the National Rifle Association, and the Uniontown Musical Society American Federation of Musicians Local 596.
Joseph was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.
He was an avid reader. He loved the outdoors and had a deep appreciation for all living things.
Left to cherish his memory are: his wife, Louise E. (Wahula) Zelina, with whom he celebrated 55 years of marriage on May 2; six children: Raymond Zelina and his wife, Linda, of Masontown, Pa., Marilyn Butcho and her husband, Carl, of Grays Landing, Pa., JoAnn Arndt and her husband, Jack Arndt Jr., of Masontown, Pa., Joseph Zelina Jr. and his wife, Sherry, of Smithfield, Pa., Robert Zelina and his beloved companion, Stacy, of Masontown, Pa., and Melissa Kinzey and her husband, MSgt. Scott Kinzey, of New Geneva, Pa.; nine grandchildren: Raymond Zelina, Erin Zelina, Carl John Butcho, Kara Arndt, Megan Arndt, Mallorie Zelina, Amanda Zelina, Ryan Fears and Dana Kinzey; a brother, Richard Zelina and his wife, Emily; two sisters: Lillian Gallatin of Kansas and Veronica Joseph and her husband, Michael, of Columbia Station, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his beloved border collie, “Scotty”.
Friends will be received in the HAKY FUNERAL HOME INC., 515 North Main Street, Masontown, Pa., this evening from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be said on Wednesday, December 13, 2006, in Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Leckrone, with the Rev. Father Donald R. Trexler as Celebrant (time will be announced).
Interment will follow in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Leckrone, Pa., where Military Honors will be accorded by the Faith-Gray-McArdle Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4584 and the Fort Mason American Legion Post 423.