Joseph Michael Markiw

Joseph Michael Markiw, 59, of Avon Lake, Ohio, formerly of Butler, passed away Tuesday at St. John Medical Center, Westlake, Ohio.

Born on May 8, 1955, in Butler, Joe was the son of the late John and Dorothy Markiw, and the brother of the late John L. Markiw.

He was a 1973 graduate of Butler Area Senior High School and received his bachelor of science in electrical engineering from Grove City College in 1977.

Music was one of his passions. He was a charter member of the General Butler Vagabonds Drum and Bugle Corps, where he marched for 11 years and worked his way up through the ranks to become one of their soprano soloists before he aged out. He picked up his trumpet after not playing for several years and became a member of the Lorain County Community College Civic Jazz Band in Ohio, where he played for several years.

Joe started his work career as a management trainee for US Steel Lorain Works in 1977. In 1985, he was given the opportunity to be part of a team to start up the shuttered US Steel Cuyahoga Works. The shuttered facility became a world class rod mill for American Steel and Wire, where he was manager of engineering. He filled various other positions with Birmingham Steel and Consolidated Natural Gas and ended his career at Charter Steel Cleveland Works.

Surviving are his niece, Debra Miles (Keith); his nephew, John Markiw; and his great-niece, Allanah.

Markiw — The friends of Joseph Michael Markiw, who passed away Tuesday, July 29, 2014, may call from 2 until time of service at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Busch Funeral Home, 32000 Detroit Road, Avon, Ohio.The graveside interment service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Rose Hill Cemetery, 535 Mercer Road, Butler.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org/donate.For more information, visit www.buschcares.com.