Michael Blasko

NEW MIDDLETOWN - Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel for Michael ?Mike? J. Blasko, 94, who died Tuesday evening at Essex 1 in Salem.

Mike was born Dec. 12, 1915, in Youngstown, a son of John and Anna Dernyar Blasko and was a lifelong area resident.

Mike was in the Army from July of 1940 until October of 1945. His entry into World War II was from Tideworth Barraks in Great Britain to Oran Africa. In Africa, he became a driver for General Omar Bradley. His first fight was at Kasserine Pass as part of the 36th Field Artillery, from there went to Bazerta until the African Campaign ended. He remained with the 36th in Tunis for Invasion of Sicily.

Bradley left for England and Mike was reassigned to the 5th Army, 6th Corps, where he saw intense fighting in Conserta, Venefro and Casino. After the Battle of Casino, he was stationed in Monterno, preparing for the Invasion of Southern France. He was reassigned to the 602nd Field Artillery. On Aug. 15, 1944, he was part of the glider invasion into Frejus & San Raphael Southern France. The 3rd Army and the 602nd remained in the South of France until Christmas, then headed North through the Massif Central and crossed the Rhine on April 1, at Maneheim over a Pontoon Bridge. In Helborn, the Army took on the role of local police, securing the area then onto Kaufburn, where a Slavik concentration camp was liberated.

His military campaign ended in Innsbruck. He was discharged in Thienville, France and then returned to Nice to marry Diane Improvisi on July 4, 1946. His decorations included the Glider Badge, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the American Defense Service Medal.

He had been employed by Fullerton Transfer Company as a truck driver. Then he worked for Youngstown Steel Door and last, for Youngstown Foundry and Machine Company, which later became Wean Industries, retiring as a crane operator in 1979. He attended the New Middletown Free Methodist Church. He belonged to the Lowellville Rod and Gun Club and was on their pistol team competing at Camp Perry. He was an active member of the DAV and a member of New Middletown Farmer?s and Sportsman?s Club.

Besides his wife of New Middletown, he leaves a daughter, Michele Frank DeRhodes of Poland; five grandchildren, Michael Jennifer Blasko, Carrie Matt Hawke, Luke DeRhodes, Chantal Bob Johnston and Courtney Shane Phillips; and seven great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, John Blasko in 2004 and Michael Blasko in 2003; three sisters, Anna Blasko, Catherine Blasko and Mary Metzinger; and three brothers, Andrew, Stephen and John Blasko.

Family and friends may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family wishes to thank Essex 1 and their kind staff who loved and cared for Mike and also Grace Hospice for their loving, leading and care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250 or the Youngstown VA Outpatient Clinic, 2031 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, OH 44505.