William J. Palagyi, 85, Participated in D-Day Invasion
William J. Palagyi, 85, of Sheffield Township, died Friday January 31, 2003 at Oak Hills Nursing Center in Lorain. He was born January 1, 1918 in Lorain and had been a lifelong Lorain area resident. He was a graduate of Lorain High School class of 1935B.Mr. Palagyi served with the US Army during World War II in the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and Glider Division. He participated in the glider invasion of Holland where he was injured in action and was awarded the glider badge with four combat stars and the Purple Heart. He also received the Bronze Star, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Good Conduct Ribbon and the ETO 100 Ribbon.
Mr. Palagyi worked as an inspector at the General Motors Fisher Guide plant in Elyria for 28 years retiring in 1972.
He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Elyria Township and the church Holy Name Society, a member of the Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter #20 in Lorain and the UAW Local #780 Retirees. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, horse racing and playing cards.
He is survived by his wife Eleanor "Elly" Cleaver-Palagyi (nee Stirzaker); brothers Jay Palagyi of New Orleans, Louisiana and John Palagyi of Arcadia, California; sister Marianne Ehasz of Lorain and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife Harriet Palagyi (nee Westfall) in 1968, parents John and Mary (nee Phelyes) Palagyi and sister Margaret Palagyi.
Friends may call Sunday February 2, 2003 form 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain. Funeral services will be held Monday February 3, 2003 at 10:30 am in the funeral chapel followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 41295 North Ridge Road, Elyria. The Rev. Gaetano Menegatto will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain where the Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter #20 will conduct full military honors.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, 43099 North Ridge Rd. Elyria, OH, 44035 or New Life Hospice, 5255 N. Abbe Rd., Elyria, OH, 44035.