Mitchell Frank Duda

Mitchell Frank Duda, 92, of Warren passed away 2:50 AM Thursday April 7, 2011 at St. Josephs Health Center following a short illness. He was born July 28, 1918 in Arnold City, PA the son of George and Veronica (Kosiba) Duda. Mitch was baptized Aug.11, 1918 at St. Hyacinth Church in Monessen, PA and came to Warren with his family at the age of seven in 1925. He was a 1937 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School. He was employed as a press operator for 22 years at Mullins Mfg. and for 18 years by ITT Grinnell. He served in the US Army for 4 years during WW II with the 5th Armored Division as a tank commander. He participated in campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe attaining the rank of Sergeant. He was awarded the Purple Heart with 1 Oak leaf Cluster for wounds received in action along with the good conduct medal, and the European African Middle Eastern service medal with 5 bronze stars. He was discharged Oct. 22, 1945. In 1940 he was introduced to Jane Bialon by his cousin when they went to Polish Dances and they were married Nov.3, 1945 in St. Stephen Catholic Church in the Hazelwood district of Pittsburgh by the Rev. Charles C. Riley and together they had two children. Mitch is a member of St. Pius X Church where he belongs to the Men's Club and was a charter member of St. Vincent De Paul. He enjoyed gardening, playing cards, dancing, crossword puzzles, and pitching horse shoes. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 65 years Jane, daughter Patricia (Ronald) Augustinsky of Champion, son Joseph Duda of Warren, 5 grandchildren; Robert (Melanie) Augustinsky, Brian (Charo) Augustinsky, Amy (Matthew) Cohrs, Emily Jo and Quentin Duda, and 2 great grandchildren Ethan and Austin Cohrs. He also leaves 3 sisters Mary Holko of Warren, Jane Brasko of Newton Falls, and Blanche Kowalczyk of Warren. He was preceded in death by a brother Joseph and by his daughter-in-law Karen Duda. The Rev. Christopher Henyk will celebrate a mass of Christian Burial 10:00 AM Monday April 11 at St. Pius X Church where friends will be received from 9:00 AM until service time. Interment will be in All Souls Cemetery where military honors will be observed. The family suggests material contributions be made to St. Pius X Church.