Joseph "Joe" A Stankewich

On Sunday, January 31, 2021 at Mercy Health St. Joseph Warren Hospital, Joseph A. Stankewich went to his final rest. He was born on Saturday, January 30, 1932 in Warren to Mrs. Anna Toth Stankewich and Andrew Stankewich.  Joe was 89.

He was a 1950 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, where he played football and basketball.

In 1954, Joe graduated from Bowling Green State University.  While there he belonged to the Sigma Nu Fraternity and was a graduate of the ROTC Program with the rank of 2^nd Lieutenant.  After graduation, he spent time at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma in the Artillery Unit.  From there, he was stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina in the 82^nd Airborne Division, where he made 37 jumps.  In 1965, he was accepted and graduated from the Command and General Staff School at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.  In 1968, he was accepted and graduated from Officers Training School at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.  He was a member of the National Guard and the Army Reserves for 23 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.  He enjoyed his army career.

On April 16, 1955, he and the former Norma Limpach were married at St. James Catholic Church.  Together they recently celebrated their 65^th wedding anniversary this past April.

In 1971, Joe purchased a small family-owned Film Transit Company in Cleveland.  From that humble beginning, the Company grew into a Film Carrier and Distribution Center that encompassed a large area.

From his early years, Joe had many interests.  He was a long-time member of the Warren Ohio Elks Lodge #295.   He bowled and skied.  He was a gin and bridge player.  Joe volunteered for the Pirohy sales at SS. Cyril & Methodius Church and volunteered his services to friends who needed rides.  He was a gardener, and his legacy will always be his beautiful flowers…a joy to see in the summer.  Golf was his favorite pastime of which he spent “much time”.  A highlight of his golfing career was a trip to Scotland in 1994 with a group of friends.  In his eighties, he became a dedicated and respected altar server at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parishes-his last legacy that served his spirit well.

Joe is survived by his wife, Norma and two daughters JoAnn Jenkins and Tracey (Richard) Vitali; brother Andrew (Marilyn) Stankewich of California and five grandchildren Jason (Lauren) Crawford of Cleveland, Addie Jenkins of Colorado, Jeffrey Jenkins of Orlando, Florida, Tori Vitali of Naples, Florida, and Joseph Vitali of Warren; by a close family friend Mr. Kenneth Austin and by his pup “Holly”.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Anna Stankewich, his son Jeffrey Stankewich and by a brother Raymond Stankewich.

There will be no calling hours.  A Mass of Christian Burial, with Fr. Christopher Cicero officiating, will take place Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish-St. James site.  All are welcome.

Burial with full military honors will follow in All Souls Cemetery in Cortland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s name to the Heritage Fund of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 2532 Burton St. SE, Warren, Ohio 44484.

The family, funeral home and church will all be practicing social distancing and proper health protocols. Due to the continued and increasing spread of Covid-19, the 6-foot social distancing rule will be honored, and all guests, must wear a mask.

The Stankewich family understands if you feel uncomfortable or if you are unable to attend, please keep them and Joe in your thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Staton-Borowski Funeral Home, 962 North Road, NE, Warren, Ohio 44483, 330-394-6200. Dedicated to Serving Your Loved Ones. This obituary may be viewed, and condolences sent to www.statonborowskifuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.