Steven Joseph Yamnitsky II
Steven Joseph Yamnitsky II, 85, died Monday evening at the Butler Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family.
Born July 14, 1922, in Butler, he was a son of Stephen and Anna Olexa Yamnitzky.
He had worked at Armco-Butler Works for 41 years in the specialty steels-silicon department and retired in 1984.
Mr. Yamnitsky was a member of the St. Paul Roman Catholic Church.
During World War II, he fought with the Army's 98th Signal Battalion throughout much of the South Pacific. He was part of the military force that secured the island in advance of Gen. Douglas MacArthur's historic return and witnessed the general's walk on shore. He also was part of the occupation force that entered Japan after its surrender and witnessed the surrender ceremonies beside the Battleship Missouri.
During his service, he was awarded four Bronze Stars, one for the New Guinea Campaign, one for the Southern Philippines Campaign, one for the Luzon Campaign and one with the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. He also was decorated with the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, the Meritorious Service Unit Insignia, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Ribbon, and the World War II Victory Medal.
He enjoyed all sports and was an avid fisherman. During the 1960s and early '70s, he was a baseball coach for the Center Township Little League.
Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Mary Catherine Smith Yamnitsky of Butler; a daughter, Kathleen Kerry of South Carolina; a son, Steven Yamnitsky III and his wife, LeAnn, of Saxonburg; a daughter, Peggy Shue and her husband, John, of Florida; and three grandchildren, Steven IV and Marlee Yamnitsky, both of Saxonburg and Dayne Kerr of South Carolina.
Also surviving are three sisters, Marge Blasko, Agnes Semes and Mary Dimmick, all of Butler; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Anna Bellaji; and three brothers, George, Albert and Michael Yamnitzky.
<B>Yamnitsky </B>— Friends of Steven Joseph Yamnitsky II, who died Monday, Aug. 6, 2007, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Harry Bielewicz, his church pastor, officiating. Entombment will follow in the Chapel of Devotion Mausoleum, Butler County Memorial Park, Butler Township.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.
