Joseph S. Oklak

Feb. 18, 1918 - Aug. 11, 2011
MISHAWAKA - Joseph S. Oklak, 93, of Brookville, Ohio, formerly of Mishawaka, passed away at 8:01 a.m. Thursday, August 11, 2011, in Brookhaven Retirement Community. Joseph was born on February 18, 1918, in Mayville, Wisconsin, to Steve and Janja (Vookson) Oklak. He was a World War II Army-Air Force veteran, who received the Purple Heart and was a P.O.W. in Germany from April 1944 to May 1945. He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Serbian Orthodox Church, D.A.V #6, V.F.W. #360 and American Legion #161. On April 25, 1943, in South Bend, he married the former Goldie Leiter. She died on April 20, 1989. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Lenore Peer, grandson, Todd Peer, and four brothers and sisters. Surviving are three sons, Steve Oklak of Dayton, OH, Mark (Donna) Oklak and Dennis (Donna) Oklak, both of Indianapolis; a son-in-law, Herb Peer of Dayton, OH; six grandchildren, Jennifer Oklak, Heather (Steve) Logsdon, Andy Oklak, Abbey Oklak, Kristen (Shawn) McDowell and Aaron (Shannon) Peer; and 10 great-grandchildren, Annalise Logsdon, Connor McDowell, Lauren McDowell, Jillian McDowell, Caleb Peer, Josiah Peer, Rachel Peer, Sarah Peer, Jada Peer and Alexander Peer. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 19, 2011, in the Zahoran Funeral Home, 1826 Kemble Avenue. Burial with military services will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Family and friends may call two hours prior to services in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Peter & Paul Serbian Orthodox Church or the American Cancer Society. To leave an online condolence, visit our website www.zahoran.com or our Facebook page, Zahoran Funeral Home.