Josephine M. Dudash Kropilak
Josephine M. (Dudash) Kropilak, age 85, of Troy, Michigan, and formerly of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, after suffering a lingering illness passed away on Saturday, April 14, 2007, in Woodward Hills Nursing Center, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
She was born February 28, 1922, in Shoaf, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Josef Dudash and Julius Lubich and Mary Dudash Lubich.
Josephine graduated in 1940 from the former North Union High School, Uniontown.
Prior to moving to Michigan, she was a meticulous homemaker, devoted wife and wonderful mother.
During her earlier years, she was employed in several domestic positions, participated in several organizations and was an active volunteer and member of her church.
Josephine was a member of Saint Mary (Nativity) Roman Catholic Church in Uniontown, the Saint Mary’s Confraternity of Christian Mothers, the Rosary-Altar Society and the Golden Club.
She was also a member of The Vincentian Guild, the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge No. 72, the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association Branch S177, Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary and the General George C. Marshall AMVETS Post 103 Ladies Auxiliary, Hopwood, Pa.
Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of 57 years, John A. Kropilak, whom she married November 25, 1945, her sisters, Stella Kalmanek and Marie Lewandowski Roth, both of Michigan and her brother, Anthony “Tony” Dudash, who was killed in action during World War II.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Monica Raisanen and son-in-law, Larry Raisanen, of Troy, Michigan; grandchildren, Renee Foley and husband, Dan, Craig and Scott Raisanen; her grand dog, Lucie; her sister, Helen (Lubich) Christovich of Uniontown; her brothers: Frank (and Dorothy) Lubich of Elyria, Ohio, and Steve (and Vera) Lubich of Connellsville, Pennsylvania; and sisters-in-law: Josephine (and Patrick) Ozanich of Uniontown, Sr. Mary Ann Kropilak of The Vincentian Sisters of Charity in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Eleanor Kropilak of North Carolina.
Josephine will be sadly missed by her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
She will be lovingly remembered by her Godchildren: Antoinette Lubich of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, and Christopher Lubich, Anthony Lubich and Erin Lubich all of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, Sandra (Christovich) Kelley of Monrovia, Maryland, and Jane (Kalmanek) Beauvais of Rochester, Michigan.
Josephine enjoyed a special relationship with her devoted daughter, Monica, and always looked forward to spending time with family members, especially the frequent visits from her nieces, Monica (Kalmanek) Myers, Marianne (Kalmanek) Grochowski and Jane (Kalmanek) Beauvais.
She looked forward to receiving cards, letters and photos from her sisters-in-law, Josephine Ozanich and Sr. Mary Ann Kropilak, V.S.C., her nieces, Antoinette Lubich, Mary Margaret (Lubich) Riley and Sandra (Christovich) Kelley, and her great-great nephew, Beau Bloomfield, as well as frequent news from other family members and friends.
She liked to play cards, bingo, listen to music and watch television.
Josephine’s family gratefully acknowledges the special attention given to her by the staff on the Hunter Unit at the Woodward Hills Nursing Center, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and especially the compassionate care and support provided to her after her severe stroke, during rehabilitation, ultimate residence and eventual death. Through the many challenges and physical struggles of her lengthy illness, Josephine received strength through her Catholic Faith and maintained an accepting attitude and humorous disposition that she carried throughout her life.
Friends will initially be received in Michigan on Tuesday, April 17, 2007, at the PORTERE-MODETZ FUNERAL HOME, 339 Walnut Boulevard, Rochester, Michigan.
Visitation will continue in the KEZMARSKY FUNERAL HOME, 71 Pennsylvania Avenue, Uniontown, Pennsylvania, on Friday, April 20, 2007, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, April 21, 2007, until 9:30 a.m. when Prayers of Transfer will be said.
A Mass of Christian Burial follows at 10 a.m. in Saint Mary (Nativity) Roman Catholic Church, North Mount Vernon Avenue, with the Rev. Father Micah E. Kozoil as Celebrant.
Interment will follow in Sylvan Heights Cemetery, Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Friday, April 20, 2007, a Parish Wake Service will be held at 2:30 p.m., the Saint Mary’s Altar Society will recite the Rosary at 3 p.m., and the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary will hold their Memorial Service at 3:30 p.m., in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul National Council of the United States, St. Louis, MO 63033 or a local Parish Chapter of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, the Disabled Veterans Life Memorial Foundation, Washington, D.C. 20013, or a charity of your choice in memory of Josephine M. Dudash Kropilak.