Steve Mendak, 80, U.S. Army Veteran

Born in Lorain on April 26, 1935, he had been a life-long resident of the city. Steve was a graduate of Lorain High School.

He went on to serve in the United States Army during World War II fulfilling duty assignments as a Specialist 3 attached to the 537th Ordnance Company in Germany. He was the recipient of the National defense Service Medal, the Army Occupation Medal, and also held a Rifle Marksmen’s Badge.

Steve had been employed by National Tube Company, as well as its successor, United States Steel Corporation at it Lorain Works for thirty-five years. He retired in 1985. He was a long-time member of United Steelworker’s Local 1104.

A parishioner of St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church in Elyria Township, he was an avid fan of all Cleveland professional sports franchises and never gave up on the hometown teams. He was a lover of nature and the outdoors and enjoyed trapping, hunting, and fishing. Additional interests included league bowling, history, and politics.

A staunch and beloved supporter of the Lorain Southview Saints, Steve regarded his family as the most important thing in his life.

He had been a resident of Lake Pointe Health Care for the past fifteen years. Loved by the staff and resident alike, he was active there in a variety of activities including bingo and dancing.

He is survived by daughters Sandra Jeanne Wolf (Shawn) of Amherst and Sharon Marie Kovacs (Tony) of Sheffield Lake, along with sons Steven Charles Mendak of Elyria, Richard Francis Mendak of Lorain, Ronald Joseph Mendak (Ramona) of Sheffield Lake, and Robert Michael Mendak (Mirta) of Amherst. Additional survivors include seven grandchildren, brothers Charles, Michael (Sophie) , and sister Mary Zgola all of Lorain.

Steve was preceded in death by his wife Rosemarie (nee Casello), by infant daughter Michaele Anne Mendak, parents Harry and Mary (nee Nakoneczna) Mendak, by sisters Anne Mendak, Stella Watson, and Helen Cisar, and brothers Nick in infancy, and John.

Visitation will be Thursday from 4 until 8 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. Funeral services will be Friday beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. in St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church – 41295 North Ridge Rd., Elyria Township. Reverend Donald Dunson will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery where military honors will be conducted.

The family encourages memorial contributions to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

To share your memories and condolences with the Mendak Family, please visit www.gluvna.net.