Walek

Joseph Walek, 89, formerly of Lyndora, recently a nine-year resident at the Elmcroft of Saxonburg assisted living home, died Monday at the VA Butler Healthcare.

He was born in Lyndora, June 27, 1920, and he was the son of the late Frank and Mary Bachensky Walek.

In 1979, Joe retired from the Pullman Standard Car Manufacturing Co. after 38 years.

A veteran of World War II, he had served with the Army Air Corps, 506th Bomb Squad, 44th Bomb Group during the air offenses in Normandy, other Central Europe campaigns and the Balkans. During his military service, Joe had been a boxer with his units.

He was a member of the VFW Post 249 in Butler and the American Legion, Lyndora Post 778.

Still an avid boxing fan, he also had been an active golfer, scoring several holes-in-ones, a bowler, and he enjoyed fishing.

He was a member of the Highfield Community Center, and its golf league and a member of St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church in Lyndora.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Beblo Walek. They were married Nov. 26, 1959, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lyndora, and she died Oct. 16, 1973. He also was preceded in death by a brother, Michael; and a sister, Anna Russin.

Surviving are his longtime friend, Ruth Holben of Butler; a stepdaughter, Frances (Joseph) Wallace of Lyndora; a step-granddaughter, Sheri Zagurskie of Butler; a brother, George Walek of Butler; and a sister, Julia Stone; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

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<B>WALEK </B>— Friends of Joseph Walek, who died Monday, June 14, 2010, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church, 303 Penn Ave., Lyndora. The Rev. George Palick will officiate. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Butler.The Bereavement Committee of St. Fidelis Parish will lead a parish vigil service at 3 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.