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Michael Wasko Jr.

Last Updated on April 12, 2015 by cassnetwork

waskoMichael  Wasko Jr., 93, of Logansport, passed away at 2:26 a.m. Sunday, April 12, 2015, in Logansport Memorial Hospital.

Born November 24, 1921 in West Newton, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Michael Sr. and Kathryn Kissil Wasko. His parents immigrated to the U.S. from Vienna, Austria, passing through Ellis Island.  Michael was the first child in his family born in America.  He spoke fluent German and French and learned English when he enrolled in grade school.

After graduating from high school, he was sent to the CC camp to work in the Forestry Service in Montana and California to support his parents during the Great Depression.  After WWII broke out, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served as a #2 Machine gun operator in General Patton’s 2nd Armored Division known as “Hell on Wheels” in the European Theater.  Just like it was portrayed in the movies, he was one of those brave young men who arrived on the beach at Normandy on D-Day. He also participated in the 100-mile-march and the Battle of the Bulge.

His ability to speak the language was especially helpful to his unit and he befriended a family in Belgium whose father had been taken as a prisoner of war. The children in that family never forgot the kindness of Michael bringing portions of his own rationed food to their family. They presented him with a marble plaque on the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

He was married  July 11, 1960, in Kentucky, to Louise (Gay) Wasko, who survives.

For 19 years, Michael worked as a group leader at Hygrade Meat Packing in Indianapolis.  In 1969, he moved to Logansport and worked for Wilson Foods until his retirement in 1991.

Michael was a member of All Saints Catholic Church.  He was also a lifetime member of the American Legion.

He enjoyed puzzle books, especially crossword puzzles.  Michael loved to travel and had explored much of Europe.  One of his favorite past times was watching the History Channel, but would often cry upon those remembrances of what he saw in the war while fighting in his parent’s homeland.

Surviving are one daughter, Mary (John) McCloskey of Logansport;  two sons, Dennis (Maila)Wasko, California and Bert R. Wasko  of Lafayette; three grandchildren, Michelle (Nash) Porter, Mike Warpenburg and Sidney Wasko;  three great-grandchildren, Morgan Porter, Serenity Porter and Caitlyn Porter;  one great-great-granddaughter, Paige Marie, two step-granddaughters, Autumn (Brett) McCroskey and Johnett (Derek) Tasche; one niece Darlene and one nephew Brent.

 

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Walter and Bert Wasko; and one sister, Leota Culp.

 

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 15 in Fisher Funeral Chapel  with Father Michael McKinney officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the services in the funeral chapel.

 

Interment, with full military honors, will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Logansport, IN.

 

You may light a candle of hope in remembrance of Michael, share condolences in his guestbook and view his video tribute at www.fisherfuneralchapel.com

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