Walter Prozialeck

Walter - Prozialeck, “16 Ton”, 97, of Dunlo, PA, passed away quietly on, May 22, 2017. Walter was born on May 5, 1920 in Passaic, NJ to the late Peter and Christina (Homyak) Prozialeck, who were Gold Star Parents. Walter is also preceded in death by his brothers; John, Peter, William, Michael, and Anthony as well as his sisters; Marie, Anna (Erlich), Julia (Brochalk), Olga (Petlansky), 3 infant sisters, and son-in-law, Lt. Col. Christopher Round. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Thelma D. (Krumenacker) Prozialeck; son, Walter, married to former Linda Unkel, Naperville, IL; daughters, Janet, wife of Henry Klinar, Venetia, PA, Dorothy Round, who was a Gold Star Wife, Williamsburg, VA, and Cyndi Prozialeck, Wormleysburg, PA; 6 grandchildren, Henry W. Klinar, Jillian Sayles, Ashley Sopko, Jessica Baier, Matthew Prozialeck, and Craig Round, as well as 7 great-grandchildren, Amelia and Henry M. Klinar, Avana, Dane, and Dasan Sayles, Alina Sopko, and Alexa Baier, and hospice workers, Mary and Amy, who became members of the family. When he was an infant, his family moved to Dunlo, where Walter lived most of his life. He will be remembered as a generous, hard-working, honest man with integrity, a quick wit and a ready willingness to share his many stories and opinions. He had an incredibly strong work-ethic and moral compass. Even though he had to drop out of school at an early age to help support his family, he eventually earned his high school equivalency diploma, an accomplishment of which he was very proud. During WWII, Walter served in the US Navy and also worked at the Baltimore Shipyards, building Liberty Ships for the US war effort. In 1949 Walter met his future bride, Thelma (Toots) Krumenacker, at a local dance in Beaverdale. Two years later the happy couple was married. Walter was a member of St. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Dunlo, PA. Throughout his life, Walter worked for various coal companies, including his own, Prozialeck Coal Company. He was legendary for his coal mining prowess, which earned him the nickname “16 Ton”. As head of the Prozialeck Coal Company, Walter was also known for generosity and willingness to deliver coal to many elderly and disabled people who could not afford to pay. In addition to mining coal, He also worked for many years as a welder, riveter, and leader at the Bethlehem Steel Car Shop, in Johnstown, PA, and as a pipe fitter and repairman for the New York Central Railroad, in Cleveland, Ohio. Walter served his community on multiple levels. He served for years as Secretary of the Dunlo Slovak American Citizens' Club, Past Commander of the Dunlo/Llanfair American Legion, Post #573, and an officer for the Retired Men's Club of Johnstown. One of Walter's greatest passions was the history of coal mining and of the local community. He became a local historian, giving seminars at various institutions and with many organizations. Walter loved the time he spent at the local schools and being able to share his knowledge with children. Walter volunteered at Seldom Seen Mine, where he helped with repairs, demonstrations, and tours of the mine. Sharing his knowledge always put a smile on his face. Walter was honored for his efforts in this area by the Industrial Heritage Program at Penn State. Another passion was his gardening, specifically growing blueberries the size of grapes. Walter was also widely known for his great physical strength. As a young man, he was regarded as one of the best power-hitting baseball players in the Johnstown area. His “tape-measure” home runs at the old Dunlo ball field are legendary. Many people who saw him play have said that he could have made the major leagues, if he had been given the chance. After retirement, Walter participated in the Quad County Senior Olympics where he won an array of events, his best being the shot put, but also winning/placing in the race walk and standing long jump. Despite growing up in poverty, Walter lived an incredibly full and rich life. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and community. Friends will be received from 3-7 p.m. on Friday at the Harris Funeral Home, 500 Cherry Lane, Richland, where Parastas will be held at 6:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Dunlo, PA, Fr. James A. Spontak, Pastor. Committal will be at St. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church Cemetery, Dunlo, where Military Rites will be conducted by the Beaverdale Dunlo Ritual Team. The family suggests contributions be directed to Conemaugh Regional Hospice, 315 Locust Street 1st Floor Suite, Johnstown, PA 15901 in memory of Walter. Online condolences may be posted to www.wharrisfuneralhome.com.