Richard J. Koba, 90, U.S. Army Veteran

Mr. Koba was born in Lorain on September 15, 1924, the son of Peter & Josephine Koba. He was class president of the 1942 B graduating class of Lorain High School. He is a member of the St. Mary Church in Lorain.

He was a highly decorated US Army veteran; serving 4 years with two years as a combat infantryman in Europe. Corporal Koba saw action in the Rhineland Campaign, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and the Central Europe Campaign-where they met the Russian Army at the Elbe River. Corporal Koba earned the Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, European Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Stars and the Distinguished Unit Badge.

He graduated from The Ohio State University with a telecommunications degree and worked as a broadcaster for five years. He then returned home to Lorain and joined his brother Leo Koba to work in the Koba Realty Co. Since 1954, Mr. Koba has maintained his real estate broker and appraiser's licenses.

Mr. Koba served as safety service director for the City in the Joseph Zahorec administration from 1975 to 1979. He was again called upon to serve the city as safety service director from 1984 until 1988 under Mayors Zahorec and Olejko.

He served as commissioner on the Lorain County Veterans Service Council since 1989 as representative of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Post # 473. He is a life member of VFW Post 451, DAV Post 20 and Military Order of the Purple Heart Post 473. He was a member of the Lorain Rotary Club and the Lorain County Association of Realtors for 50 years.

Mr. Koba is survived by his wife of 68 years Janis A. (nee VanSickle), daughters Claudia (Gary Jaketic) Koba of Amherst, VA, Sister Kristine A. Koba of Graymoor, Garrison, New York, Elizabeth (Michael) McCarthy of Fort Collins, CO, son Dr. Richard J. (Terry) Koba, Jr. of Saugus, Mass, grandchildren; Nick Jaketic, Peter (Rose) Jaketic, Molly McCarthy, Neil McCarthy, Emily Koba and a great grandchild, Tye Joseph Jaketic.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters Marie Duskey, Nellie Boreske, Francis Frantz, brothers, Felix Koba, Leo Koba and Dr. Raymond Koba.

Friends may call on Friday, January 9, 2015 from 3-7 p.m. in the Schwartz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals, 1124 W. 5th Street, Lorain.

Funeral services will begin with prayers at 9:30 am at the funeral home on Saturday, January 10, 2015 followed by a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Church, 8th and Reid in Lorain with Rev. Daniel O. Divis, officiating.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with full military honors provided jointly by VFW Post 451 and the American Legion Post 30.

Online condolences at www.boyercool.com.