Surnames: Ames, Apfelbeck, Badzinski, Dmytro, Knight, Makitra, Mercer, Schlabowske, Stephens, Stroinski

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., WI), Thursday, May 7, 2009, Online Edition

Dmytro, Leo (April 3, 1916 - April 29, 2009)

Leo Dmytro, age 93, of Thorp, passed away suddenly at his home on Wednesday, April 29, 2009.

Funeral services were held Thursday, May 7 at St. Bernard St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Keith Apfelbeck officiated. Burial was at Oak Grove Cemetery in Eau Claire. Active pallbearers were Robert Badzinski, David Badzinski, Jason Knight, Joel Knight, T.J. Stroinski and Tim Stroinski. Honorary pallbearers were Stacey Stephens, Jack Badzinski and Jamie Knight.

Leo Dmytro was born April 3, 1916 in Cicero, Ill., the son of Theodore and Pauline (Makitra) Dmytro.

When he was a young boy, Leo's family moved to a farm in Lublin where he received his education. After completing his education, Leo worked in the CCC Camps as a blacksmith. He then enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp. and was stationed in England. After his discharge, he continued farming with his family in Lublin until his marriage to Sylvia Ames. They then moved to Milwaukee where Leo was employed by the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds as head bookkeeper, until retiring in 1979. His wife, Sylvia, passed away in 1978.

He then married Alice Badzinski on August 15, 1981 at St. Hedwig's Chapel in Thorp. Through his retirement years, Leo was very active in the Thorp Senior Citizens Center, serving many years as president. He was always willing to help out other people whenever they needed a ride to the doctor's office or hospital for medical treatment.

He was a member of St. Bernard St. Hedwig's Catholic Church and the Thorp American Legion Post No. 118.

He is survived by his wife, Alice of Thorp, five stepchildren, Dorothy (James) Stephens of Waupaca, John (Justine) Badzinski of Coon Rapids, Minn., Jean (Gene) Mercer of Mosinee, Karen (Rick) Schlabowske of Waupaca and Gary (Pamela) Badzinski of Apopka, Fla.; 16 stepgrandchildren; 23 stepgreat-grandchildren; four stepgreat-great-grandchildren; two brothers, William (Cecilia) Dmytro of Lublin and Michael Dmytro of Thorp.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Sylvia; three brothers, John, Walter and Peter; and one sister, Alice.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.