John Michael Prochak

John Michael Prochak, age 92 of Austintown, Ohio, passed away on Monday, August 31, 2015 at 3:55 AM, from glioblastoma, cancer of the brain at Essex of Salem I. He was born February 26, 1923 in Campbell, Ohio, the son of Kathryn Jasack and Joseph Hauzlik Prochak. John is survived by his daughters, Christine (Patrick) Andino of Berlin Center, and Cathy (Pete) Evanovitz of Youngstown; three granddaughters, Jaci Clark of Youngstown, Ashley (Matthew) Hathaway of Wooster, and Kendall (Benjamin) Brewer of Charleston, SC; four great-grandchildren, Gregory Bass, Boston Clark, and Ridley Clark all of Youngstown, and Peyton Hathaway of Wooster; and one great-great-granddaughter, Savannah Bass of Medina; as well as his only brother, Edward Prochak, 88 of Youngstown, and his sister, Francis Zander, 90, of Riverside, CA. Other than his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Theresia Christine Muehlbacher Prochak, who passed away on November 29, 2006 of Alzheimer's; and four sisters, Mary Jasack, Anne Dumiak, Bertha Mitulinski, and Helen Grahovac. John's military career spanned 27 years in the US Army through WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He was one of the original Darby's Rangers (special forces) from WWII and was a POW for nearly two years in Germany. He was also the oldest soldier to complete jump training and become a paratrooper. John's time in the military gained him numerous commendations and medals including the Bronze Star. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind and loving father, grandfather, and friend. A true hero will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Calling hours will be held from 5-7 PM, Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at the Lane Family Funeral Homes-Austintown Chapel, 5797 Mahoning Avenue in Austintown. Military services will take place at 7 PM immediately following the visitation period. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given to Wounded Warrior Project, Inc., PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.