Paul P. Zajac

Prayer services for Paul P. Zajac, 91, of Kirtland, will be at 6 PM on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Davis-Babcock Funeral Home, 4154 Clark Avenue, Willoughby.

The family will receive friends from 3-6 PM on Monday, prior to the service.

Mr. Zajac passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at Kirtland Rehabilitation Center.

Born May 9, 1925 in Allison, PA he was a longtime Lake County resident.

He attended Harding High School in Warren and enlisted in the United States Navy where he served as a Seaman First Class aboard the USS Lindsay during World War II, and during the battle of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the battle of Okinawa.

Mr. Zajac was employed as brakeman and conductor for the former Conrail Railroad in the Collinwood Yards in Cleveland.

Survivors are his children, David (Connie) Zajac, Cherrie Moran, Gerald Ernest, Dale (Susan) Ernest and Donald (Phyllis) Ernest and their families, niece, Karen Loprire and nephews, Richard Lorello and Albert Lorello and their families. He also leaves his second cousins, Mary Ann Kudyba (Jim Stevens), Joseph Kudyba and Gloria (Thomas) Ducca.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dixie on November 8, 2013. His parents, Joseph and Anelia “Nellie” (Kudyba) Zajac, son, James Zajac; granddaughter, Cheryl Bateman; sisters, Tillie Lorello and Louise Ricci and twin-brother, John Zajac are also deceased.

The committal service and interment will be at 10 AM on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens, in the chapel, 11521 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to Hospice of the Western Reserve, Inc., 17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110.