Walter Pustulka's Obituary
Walter Pustulka, age 99, passed away Friday, January 15, 2016 at New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph in Lorain.
Walter was born on September 26, 1916 in Lorain, Ohio to Benedict and Catherine (nee Jakubowski) Pustulka and grew up on the East side. He married Clara Mae Burgess at St. Mary’s Church on July 3, 1940.
As a young man Walter worked at the Lorain Shipyards and was a welder during the war. Due to his occupation he was not drafted for active duty. His contribution to the war was building ships.
After the war Walter worked as a mailman. As soldiers returned from the war he was laid off from the post office. He then worked for a couple of years on an ore ship on the Great Lakes.
He then worked and retired from Ohio Edison. He retired October 1, 1978.
After retiring Walter and Clara assisted for several years with the catering at St. Michael’s Church for many weddings and special events.
Walter enjoyed traveling with his family. Some of his favorite family destinations included Geneva on the Lake and Euclid Beach. They also made several trips to Buffalo, New York to see his brother Frank and to visit Niagara Falls, Lake George, Lake Placid and White Face Mountain.
Later, with his wife, Clara, they traveled to Hawaii, Las Vegas, took several cruises including one through the Panama Canal.
Walter and Clara enjoyed Polka dancing at the Polish Club. Saturday dancing was enjoyed for many years.
An activity that Walter thoroughly enjoyed was his daily bike rides. He rode all over Lorain taking in the sites. In his later years Walter continued to ride a stationary bike pedaling many miles.
Walter resided in Lorain for the majority of his years. He moved to Brownhelm Township in 2008 to live with his son and daughter-in-law. Walter and his son became companions. They would take daily rides to run errands or make a trip to the store. He also enjoyed watching the new construction and getting to know the neighbors. The children playing outside entertained him and he enjoyed feeding the neighbor’s dog treats.
Walter’s goal was to make it to 100 especially after he renewed his driver’s license at the age of 96 and he knew it was good until 100. Walter continued to drive, even if it was around the block, until he was 97.
He is survived by his son, Walter John (Debbie) Pustulka Sr.; grandchildren, Walter John (Rachel) Pustulka Jr., and Donald Pustulka; great-grandson, Jason Pustulka; his sister, Marge Borawski, of Baltimore, Maryland; and several nieces and nephews.
Walter was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Clara Mae, on April 20, 2005; his infant sons, Francis and Charles; his parents, Benedict and Catherine; brothers, Benjamin (Mildred) Pustulka and Frank (Mary) Pustulka; and his sister, Joan (Paul) Tomasic; brother-in-law, Ed Borawski.
The Pustulka family will receive friends on Sunday, January 17, 2016 from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst. Closing prayers will be held on Monday, January 18th. at 9:00 a.m. in the funeral center followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 309 W. 7th. Street, Lorain. Rev. Fr. Daniel Divis, Pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.
The family suggest contributions be made in memory of Walter to New Life Hospice, 3500 Kolbe Road, Lorain, OH 44053.
Online condolences may be left for the Pustulka family at www.dovinreberjones.com
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