Wlater J. Tylka, 87, Decorated WWII Veteran and avid Cleveland Browns, Indians Fan
Walter J. Tylka, age 87, of Lorain, died Sunday December 29, 2002 in the intensive care unit of EMH Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. He was born February 7, 1915 in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania and had been a resident of Lorain since 1947.Mr. Tylka completed two tours of duty with the Civilian Conservation Corp. He was a graduate of Bradshaw's Business College and was a World War II U.S. Army veteran serving as a Sergeant attached to Company A of the 801st Military Police Battalion stationed in New Guinea. He was part of the military contingent that provided security service for former first Lady Eleanor Roosevelt during one of her visits to Australia. He also saw duty as a baker in his battalion's food service division. He was the recipient of the Philippines Liberation Ribbon, the American Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
He was employed as a millwright for U.S. Steel's Lorain Works retiring in 1980 following 28 years of service with the company. He had previously been employed by the American Shipbuilding Company, the Fruehauf Trailer Company, and the HC & Frick Coal Company of Masontown, Pennsylvania.
He was an active parishioner of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church where he was a member of the Holy Name Society and had formerly served as a councilman. He was an avid fan of both the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Browns professional sports teams. Additional interests included gardening and baking, his specialties being Christmas cookies and pies. He was a member of American Legion Post #30 of Lorain, the Golden Age Pensioner's Club, and Amherst Eagles Aerie #1442.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years: Martha (nee Jaworski), son: Richard of Lorain, daughters: Esther Tylka of Elyria, JoAnn Kurowski of Amherst, and Jane Follmer of Westerville, 7 grandchildren, 1 great grandson, a brother: John residing in Chicago, and sisters: Mary Stafira and Helen Chernek both of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Joseph and Angeline (nee Zielinska) Tylka, by brothers; Frank, Joseph, Stanley, and Michael, and by sisters: Sophia Borek and Catherine Kramarski.
Friends may call Thursday January 2, 2003 from 4-8 pm in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain where members of the St. Stanislaus Holy Name Society will recite a rosary at 7:30 pm. Funeral services will be Friday January 3, 2003 at 10:00 am in St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 2702 Elyria Ave., Lorain where friends may call from 9:30 am until time of services. The Reverend David Novak pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Reverend Mr. William Shill, permanent Deacon of St. Stanislaus Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain where American Legion Post # 30 will conduct full military honors.
The family suggests memorials in Mr. Tylka's memory to the Restoration Fund at St. Stanislaus Church, 2702 Elyria Ave., Lorain, Ohio 44055.