Joseph M. Kropilak

Joseph M. Kropilak, 78, of Knoxville, Tenn., formerly of Whitney, died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003, in Knoxville. Born March 24, 1924, in Whitney, he was a son of the late Michael and Elizabeth (Chervenak) Kropilak. He was a member of St. Cecilia Church. Prior to retirement, he had been employed by Kennametal in Latrobe for 41 years. He was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy. He was an active member of the Latrobe Senior Citizens Center. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Erma (Somple) Kropilak; and three sisters, Ann Voytek, Elizabeth Gielas and Helen Onderko. He is survived by two sons and their wives, Michael and Kirstin Kropilak of Knoxville, Tenn., and Mark and Connie Kropilak of Wayne; a daughter, Germaine Kropilak of Dallas, Texas; five grandchildren, Joseph and Bryan Kropilak of Wayne, and Andrew, Erik and Katie Kropilak of Knoxville; two sisters and three brothers-in-law, Mary and Frank Tandarich of Whitney, Sophie and Bill Hamilton of Pittsburgh, and Paul Onderko of Latrobe. Friends received Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the JOHN J. LOPATICH FUNERAL HOME INC., 601 Weldon St., Latrobe. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in St. Cecilia Church, Whitney, with the Rev. Chad Ficorilli, O.S.B., as celebrant. Interment in St. Vincent Cemetery. Military services will be held Friday at 9:15 a.m. in the funeral home with American Legion Post 515 and VFW Post 3414. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Cecilia Church.