Steve Namesnik, Jr.

Steve Namesnik, Jr., 93, of Newton Falls, Ohio passed on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 in the Continuing Healthcare at The Ridge in Mineral Ridge, Ohio.

Steve was born on June 1, 1926 at the family home in Newton Falls to immigrant Croatian parents, Steve and Magdalena Bahat Namesnik, Sr., the second of five children.  A lifetime resident, he was a 1944 graduate of Newton Falls High School.

While a senior in high school and World War II in progress, Steve enlisted into the United States Marine Corps.  He entered active duty on July 20, 1944.  Steve would participate in the Battle of Okinawa and also in the occupation of China.  For eight months, Steve was assigned to the disarming of the Japanese Army with the 6th Division of the Marine Corps. He received his honorable discharge on August 16, 1946.

Upon his return to civilian life, Steve would obtain employment with the Newton Falls Post Office.  In 1988, after forty one years of service, Steve would retire as Postmaster after working his way up from a clerk.

Steve married his first wife, Annette Marie Toth on July 26, 1947 at St. Joseph Church in Newton Falls.  The couple had four children, Stephen, Margaret “Peggy” and twin sons, Mark and Mike.  Annette preceded Steve on June 14, 1973.  On October 6, 1984, Steve and Catherine Miskinis Streets were united in marriage in St. Joseph Church.  Steve would welcome his stepchildren, Leonard and Lori, into the family.

He was a lifetime parishioner of St. Joseph Church and served on the St. Joseph Cemetery Committee.

Interested in Croatian culture and music, he helped organize the Happy Hearts in Youngstown, where he served as president for eight years.  He enrolled his four children in the group, two of which became professional musicians.  Later in life, Steve became a charter member and co-founder of the Od Srca Adult Tamburitzans in Youngstown, where he played the Prim for 31 years.  He also helped to organize the Sunday morning Croatian Radio Hour.

Steve was past president of the Newton Falls Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge #614 and actively supported Croatian causes and related culture and music.  He was a delegate to four national CFU conventions and served two terms on the High Trial Board.  In 1973, Steve was elected CFU “Man of the Year”.  He was also voted a Lifetime Honorary member.

During the Croatian Bosnian War of 1992 to 1996, Steve volunteered to be a Consultant/Language Interpreter for the United States government.  After passing necessary requirements, at the age of 68, he served one year with the U.S. First Armored Division in Croatia and Bosnia.  Upon his return home, he was recognized and honored by the Croatian Consulate in Croatia with their “Medal of Peace”.

Being civic minded, he was elected as Newton Falls Township Clerk, serving from 1967 to 1974.                                             

As a veteran, he held membership in Newton Falls VFW 3332, the American Legion Post 236 and AMVETS Post 112.  He enjoyed bowling with the American Legion, CFU Lodge 614 and a local senior citizens group.

Steve also found time to become a tour-escort with Hollander World Travel and traveled extensively.

Still not busy enough, Steve volunteered to go on church mission trips to Eastern Appalachian, Kentucky and Peru.

Steve was a man of many talents.  He loved his family, his church and mankind and was willing to make sacrifices because of this love.

Cherished memories of Steve will be carried on by his wife, Catherine; his children, Stephen R. (Virginia); Margaret “Peggy” (Vincent) Kunkle, Mark Namesnik and Mike Namesnik; his step-children, Leonard (Jennifer) Streets, Jr. and Lori (Michael) Hartford; his grandchildren; his sister, Elizabeth (James) Schmidt and his sister-in-law, Carol Namesnik and his many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Steve in death were his parents and his brothers, Ivan, Joseph and Frank.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Continuing Healthcare at The Ridge and Buckeye Hospice for the love, care and concern given to Steve.

Material contributions may be made in memory of Steve to CFU Scholarship Foundation, Inc., Croatian Fraternal Union, 100 Delaney Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 14, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and also on Monday, July 15, 2019 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Borowski Memorial Home in Newton Falls.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 15, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary and St. Joseph Parish in Newton Falls with Rev. David Merzweiler as celebrant.

Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Paris Township with military honors conducted by former and active members of the United States Marine Corps to recognize Steve for his service to our country.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Steve Namesnik, Jr., please visit our floral store.