Certalic, Joseph Francis
Joseph "Joe" Francis Certalic, 89, of Bozeman, passed away Friday, Aug. 20, 2010. He was born March 5, 1921, in Bessemer, Penn. to Slovenian immigrant parents Ignatz and Mary (Kirn) Certalic.
He grew up in Bessemer and as a young teen he served in the Civilian Conservation Corp. He later joined the Army before WWII and served our country as a master sergeant. He was involved in the liberation of the Philippines in 1945. He was aboard a troop ship during the Leyte Gulf Battle, the largest battle in naval history.
After the war Joseph was a ranger in Glacier National Park at Many Glacier. Joe married Dorothy Tobey on Oct. 31, 1942, in Camp Kilmer, N.J.
Joe was employed primary as a supervisor of plant protection for Mack Truck in Plainfield, N.J., for 15 years, and then served in the same capacity for General Motors. He moved to Bozeman in 1970. In Bozeman he worked for the school system at Holy Rosary and later Bozeman Public Schools until his retirement in at age 62.
Joe and Dorothy enjoyed their retirement, mostly traveling and visiting their children. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, just being outdoors. He was an accomplished marksman.
Joe was a member of the National Rifle Association, VFW and the CCC.
He was preceded in death by his parents, all of his siblings and his son Mike Certalic.
Survivors include his wife Dorothy of Bozeman; children Joseph (Edith) Certalic of Belgrade; Dorothy (Henry) Jorgensen of St Ignatius; Marie (Dennis) Kelly of Valois, N.Y.; Al (Peggy) Certalic of Whitehall; John (Sharon) Certalic of Belgrade; Margaret (Jay) Stoddard of Eureka; Fred (Lori) Certalic of Minot, N.D.; daughter-in-law Sandy Certalic of Bozeman; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A private family vigil service will be held. A funeral mass will be held 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010, at Resurrection Parish. Interment following with military rites at Sunset Hills Cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com
Published in Bozeman Daily Chronicle on August 25, 2010