Jack A. Wilson, 72, Past Veterans Council President

He was born April 5, 1932 in Lorain and had been a life-long resident of the city.

Mr. Wilson was a veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean Conflict. He fulfilled a multitude of duty assignments including mechanical duties within the motor pool, and later as a tank driver in the armored division for eighteen months while stationed in Korea. In 1952 he was transferred to Germany where he became commissioned as a Sergeant and was attached to the Color Guard.

He was extremely active in veteran affairs and was a life member of Louis Paul Proy Chapter # 20 of the Disabled American Veterans. He served that organization as Executive Chairman, Senior Vice Commander, and Junior Vice Commander. Among other duties he was in charge of the group’s Pearl Harbor commemoration celebration for five years, and also served a scholarship chairman, program chairman for the annual New Year’s Eve celebration, entertainment chairman for baseball games, and performed extensive maintenance and repair on the chapter’s headquarters. He also represented the group in parades and worked on Forget-Me-Not drives. Jack was also instrumental in delivering Christmas baskets to shut-ins throughout the city, as well as serving as a long-time member of the D.A.V. Honor Guard.

He was past commander of Mullen-Murray Post # 451 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars where he served on the outreach committee paying visits to patients at various veterans’ hospitals throughout northern Ohio. He worked on the post’s Voice of Democracy program for the past five years and was a familiar face with the bi-monthly steak fry as well as coordinator of the New Years Eve parties there.

He was past President of the Lorain Veterans Council and an active member of Black River Lodge # 786 F. & A.M..

Jack was employed at the Nelson Stud Welding Division of T.R.W. He began his career there as a welder in 1957 and later became a supervisor of the shipping and receiving department. He ended his 28-year career with the company in 1985 serving as a supervisor in the Electronics Department. While at T.RW. he served as both President and Vice President of the union, as a Union Steward, as the By-Laws Chairman, as the Safety Committee Chairman, .and was also instrumental in forming the Lend A Hand Club for employees who were off of work due to illness which provided them with income. Serving as T.R.W.’s Junior Achievement Advisor for two years, Mr. Wilson received college certificates in both supervision and leadership.

A parishioner of the Catholic Church of Saint Peter, Jack was a member of the Lorain District Municipal Board of Health from 1975 through 1980 and served as President Pro Tem of that body for two separate years.

He is survived by sons: John of Avon and Michael residing in Maryland, a daughter: Linda “Lyn” Nelson of Lorain, six grandchildren, three great grandchildren, brothers: James Edward of Florida, Bill of Lorain, David of Amherst, Walt of Omaha, Nebraska, and Dick, along with a sister: Loretta Wilson of Lorain.

He was preceded in death by his wife: Joan F. Wilson (nee Burke) in 1998, by his parents: James and Maybelle (nee Lovejoy) Wilson, and by brothers: Leroy and Vance.

Visitation will be Tuesday, November 30, 2004 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel – 3224 Broadway – Lorain where a Masonic service will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. by members of Black River Lodge # 786 F. & A.M. with an additional memorial service conducted at 7:45 p.m. by representatives of the Lorain Veterans Council.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 1st at 10 a.m. in the funeral chapel with the Reverend Kenneth Wolnowski, pastor of the Catholic Church of Saint Peter officiating. Military rites immediately following the funeral chapel services will be performed jointly by officers and members of Mullen-Murray Post #451 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Post #30 of the American Legion. Private family burial will be at a later date.

The family encourages memorials in Jack’s memory to the Joan Burke Wilson Endowment Fund in care of the Catholic Church of Saint Peter, 3651 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44053.