Dr. Joseph Emil Kupka

TRIBUNE & VINDY-PAID OBIT WITH PHOTO Dr. Joseph Emil Kupka, PhD, age 86 of Howland died Monday afternoon, August 25, 2014 at Shepherd of the Valley in Howland. He was born September 23, 1927 in New Brighton, Pa. the son of the late Stephen and Helen Sydlick Kupka. When he was a teenager, he worked at part time jobs in Salem at the Famous Market, the Salem China Company and was a caddy at the Salem Golf Club. Joseph was a 1945 graduate of Salem High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He then continued his education, graduating with a Bachelor degree in secondary education from Ohio State, a Masters degree in literature from Kent State University and his Doctorate degree in education from the University of Akron. After graduation from Ohio State, he worked as a reporter at the Salem News and the Youngstown Vindicator. Joseph first worked as a teacher at Beaver Local and Middlebranch Schools in Stark county. He then taught English and Literature for 27 years at the high school at Howland Local Schools, from 1959 until retiring in 1986. Joseph was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, VFW Vienna Post No. 3521, the American Legion and Amvets posts and the Howland Classroom Retired Teachers Assoc. Joseph is survived by one brother, Edward J. (Toby) Kupka of Lisbon; three sisters, Irene M. Arnold of Wadsworth, Helen Ann Baker of Salem and Eleanor (Joseph) Bell of Lake Milton and many nieces and nephews and close friends. His wife of nearly 53 years, Glatis Arlee Peterson Kupka, whom he married August 24, 1957 preceded him in death June 13, 2010. Three brothers, Robert L., Stephen G. and Bonaventure "Ben" Kupka; one sister, Margaret Lindberg; sister-in-law, Jean Kupka and brothers-in-law, Albert Lindberg and Charles T. Arnold have also preceded him in death. The family will greet friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 29, 2014 at Lane Family Funeral Homes, Roberts-Clark Chapel in Warren. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Blessed Sacrament Church in Warren with Rev. Thomas Eisweirth celebrating the Mass. Entombment will be at All Souls Cemetery in Bazetta, where military honors will be accorded. The family wishes to express a special thank you for the caring and support of his friends and neighbors; Terry Nutter, Louis and Mary Vennitti, Samuel and Aleu Hawthorne and Alex and Charlotte Vuchak. Memorial contributions may be made to the memorial fund at Blessed Sacrament Church, 3020 Reeves Rd., Warren 44483. Online condolences may be made to the family and the obituary viewed at www.robertsclarkchapel.com