Michael J. Medzie

Michael J. Medzie, 84, of Champion, died Saturday, February 17, 2007 at Windsor House of Champion. He was born September 22, 1922 in Morrisdale, Pa., the son of Michael and Anna (Plevyak) Medzie.

Mr. Medzie served with the Army Air Corps in World War II and was a ball turret gunner on a B-17. He was active in the Normandy invasion. Later, he was shot down over Berlin and taken as a prisoner of war. He worked as a millwright at Copperweld Steel. He was a member of St. William Catholic Church, the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion Post 699 of Leavittsburg, a life member of VFW Post 8586 in Perrysburg, a life member of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society, Inc., and a member of the National American Ex-P.O.W. Association. He was also a founding member and first commander of the Mahoning Valley chapter of the American Ex-P.O.W. Association.

Surviving are his wife, Norma Louise (Meyer) Medzie, whom he married October 28, 1978; three children: Donna Jean Mansell of Vienna, Michael J. Medzie, Jr. of Youngstown, and Cheryl Hutchins of Champion; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; seven sisters: Anna Wassel of Port Richey, Fla., Evelyn Colomb of Syracuse, N.Y., Martha St. Laurent of Minoa, N.Y., Elizabeth Higgins of Port Royal, S.C., Frances Clark of Clearfield, Pa., Margaret Brady of Cortland, and Veronica Pleskonko of Atco, N.J.; and three brothers: Paul Medzie of Berlin Center, Carl Medzie of Bazetta, and Edward Medzie of Burbank, Ohio. His parents precede him in death.

Services will be 10:00 AM Friday, February 23, 2007 at St. William Catholic Church, with Fr. Michael Smar officiating. Interment will follow at All Souls Cemetery. Friends may call 5:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday at McFarland & Son Funeral Home, and 9:00 to 10:00 AM Friday at St. William Catholic Church. Material contributions may be made to any of the following: St. William Catholic Church, 5431 Mahoning Ave. N.W., Warren, Ohio 44483; the Mahoning Valley Chapter of Ex-P.O.W. Association, 391 Earl Dr. N.W., Warren, Ohio 44483; or the Alzheimer's Association., 3695 Boardman Canfield Rd., Canfield, Ohio 44406.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral Services Co., 271 North Park Avenue, Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandfuneral.com to view this obituary and send condolences.