Stephen Popadich

Stephen Popadich, age 92, of Dushore, PA passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at his home with his family at his side. Stephen was born in Legnava Slovakia on December 18, 1922, a son of the late Joseph & Anna Daykiv Popadich. His family moved to the United States after WWI and then returned to Legnava where he was born. They later moved to the US and settled in Garfield, NJ. He graduated from the Garfield High School, a member of the class of 1940. He was drafted into the US Army in March 1943 and served in the European Theatre of Operations with the 125th Engineer Battalion of the 14th Armored Division. He was discharged in April 1946. He took advantage of the G.I. Bill of Rights and received his Bachelor’s of Engineering degree in 1949 and his Master’s Degree in 1950 from Columbia University in New York City. He applied for a regular army commission in May 1950 and served in Korea for one year with the 185th Combat Engineer Battalion. He married Romayne Ann Morris of Lodi, NJ on October 11, 1952. They celebrated 53 years of marriage before her passing on February 16, 2006. They resided in Saddlebrook, NJ until retiring to Dushore in 1985. Upon his return from Korea he was an instructor in explosives and demolitions at the officer candidate school in Fort Belvoir, VA. He resigned his regular Army commission and joined the Army Reserves. He was very active in the reserves, both as a student and as a member of the Unit. As a student he completed the advanced engineer course, the command and general staff college, the industrial college of the armed forces and the US Army War College. While in the reserve he was employed as an Engineer for the US Army Corps of Engineers. He was involved in approving and supervising the construction of bridges, dams and airstrips. He had an office in New York, and visited monthly offices in Baltimore, MD Philadelphia, PA and Norfolk, VA On January 3, 1985 he retired with the rank of Colonel, and was the commandant of the US Army Reserve School in New Jersey. He and Romayne moved to Dushore where Stephen became active in the AARP Tax Aide program by helping senior citizens for 20 years with their federal and state income tax preparation. He served a term as the Mayor of Dushore Borough and was also the chairman of the Sullivan County Area on Aging advisory council. Here he provided assistance to senior citizens when they had problems with their Medicare paperwork. Stephen was a member of St. Basil’s Catholic Church, Dushore, PA and a member of Loyalsock Post #996 American Legion, Dushore. He was also a 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus Council 12406. Surviving: Son and daughter-in-law: Gary & Jane Popadich Sky Meadows, PA Daughter and son-in-law: Debra & Ronald Gutosky Dushore, PA Daughter-in-law: Rita Popadich Saddle brook, NJ Five grandchildren: Kristin (Justin) Haas Kimberly Popadich Michelle Gutosky James Cameron Elizabeth Popadich Brother: Joseph Popadich Phoenix, AZ Sister: Helen (Jacob) Silady Columbus, NJ He was predeceased by a son, Keith Popadich of Saddle Brook, NJ on July 6, 2013 and by his brothers, Nicholas and John both of Garfield, NJ. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. from the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA and will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. in St. Basil’s Church, Dushore, PA with the Rev. Richard Rojas, his pastor, presiding. Interment will be in St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery, Mildred, PA. Friends may call on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at the Homer Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. There will be a Vigil Service on Tuesday at 5:30 P.M. at the funeral home. The family will provide the flowers and request that memorials be directed to the IHM Parish, PO Box 307, Dushore, PA 18614 Graveside Military Services will be accorded by members of Loyalsock Post #996 American Legion and the US Army Honors detail. Members are asked to assemble and pass in review on Tuesday evening at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to homerfuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Stephen Popadich, please visit our flower store.