Joseph J. Udovich, 96, U.S. Army Veteran

He was born in Lorain on February 9, 1920 and remained a life-long resident of the city.

A 1937 graduate of Lorain High School, Joe sang with the school’s a capella choir as well as the varsity quartet and was acknowledged as the state bass solo champion at competition held at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Joe’s musical prowess earned him a voice scholarship to Murray State Teacher’s College in Kentucky. As a freshman there he sang in the choir, the glee club, and also sang bass in the varsity quartet. He was subsequently inducted into the Gamma Delta Chapter of the Phi Mu Alpha National Music Fraternity

After only one year of college, Mr. Udovich was drafted into the United States Army He attained the rank of First Sergeant and oversaw the operation of four companies including the Intelligence Squad and WAC Company.

Upon his return from the military, he joined the United States Steel Corporation and worked as a rotary bar puller in the # 3 Seamless Mill. He retired in 1981 following a career that spanned forty years with the steel producer.

Mr. Udovich was a parishioner of the former Ss. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Lorain and had been a member of the church choir for many years. He was also a long-time member of both the K.S.K.J. and S.N.P.J. Slovenian Fraternal Lodges.

Joe was an avid sports fan who enjoyed league bowling and golf. He also continued his love for music as a member of the Harmoniacs Barbershop Quartet.

Survivors include a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Katherine (nee Haller) in 2007, parents Lucas and Mary (nee Intihar) Udovich, sisters Vera Mauer, Ann Bobrowski, and Rose Knezetic, as well as brothers Ludwig, Frank, John, Luke, Vincent, and Andrew.

Graveside services will be conducted Friday at 10:30 a.m. in Calvary Cemetery; Chaplain Mark Telepak representing Crossroads Hospice will officiate. Military honors will be conducted by Louis Paul Proy Chapter # 20 of the Disabled American Veterans.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are encouraged to either Chapter # 20 of the Disabled American Veterans or to Crossroads Hospice.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, Lorain.

To share your memories and condolences with Joe’s family, please visit www.gluvna.net.