Joseph F. Palka

Joseph F. "Babe" Palka, age 94, of Lorain, passed away on Sunday, July 8, 2012 at Wesleyan Village, Elyria, and while under the care of Hospice of the Western Reserve.
He was born on August 5, 1917, in Lorain, where he lived his entire life. He attended St. Stanislaus School and then Lorain High School. Joe served in the United States Army from Feb. 17th 1942 until Oct. 15th, 1945, as Sergeant in the 5th Armored Division. He was Tank Commander and TSMG Expert. Joe served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Ardennes, receiving the EAME Theater Ribbon with 5 bronze stars and a good conduct ribbon.
Joe was employed at US Steel (National Tube), for 43 years, as a Machine Operator, retiring from there in 1979. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 451, D.A.V. Louis Paul Proy Chapter 20, and the Polish National Alliance (Czarnecki Lodge). Joe was a life member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, and recently a member of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish.
He enjoyed dancing, reading, gardening, yard work, walking, and horse racing. He also played softball in the 1940's with the Czarnecki Club.
Joseph is survived by a niece, and 2 nephews, of Chicago, IL, 4 nieces and 3 nephews, of Lorain, and many great nieces and great nephews. He is also survived by his dear friend and caretaker, Veronica Striker.
He was preceded in death by his father, Martin Palka, mother, Frances (nee Marek) Palka Maziarz, step-father, Joseph Maziarz, brother John Maziarz, sisters; Julia Moss, Angeline Schuster, and Mary McFall.
The family will receive friends on Wed., July 11, 2012, from 11:00 am until the time of funeral services at 1:00 pm, at the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain. The Rev. Fr. John C. Retar, Pastor of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.
To send an online condolence, go to www.dovinfuneralhome.com.