Joseph J. Zejavac

Joseph John Zejavac, 83, of Meadville, passed away, Monday, October 17, 2011 at Rolling Fields Nursing Home. He was born December 6, 1927 in Rankin, PA, he was a son of Joseph Frank Zejavac and Barbara Katherine Gergos Zejavac. He married Yolanda Rossi on January 24, 1953, she survives. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and mentor to his family. He will be remembered for his love of life and family, his ability to make everyone around him laugh and feel loved. He was a 1947 graduate of Linesville Area High School and a US Army veteran serving his country in Germany during the Korean Conflict. He worked as a conductor and brakeman for the Erie Lackawanna Conrail Railroad for 30 years until his retirement. He was a member of Saint Mary of Grace. Joseph enjoyed coaching little league baseball, watching all sports, cooking, was an avid Browns and Indians fan, and he especially enjoyed golfing with his son Joe, son in law Russell, and grandson Shawn He was a member of the American Legion Post 111 and VFW Post 2006. Including his wife Yolanda of 58 years he is survived by three daughters; Barb McKinsey and her husband Russell of Meadville, Kathy Zejavac of Meadville, and Diana Zejavac of Erie, a son; Joseph John Zejavac Jr. and his wife Nanette Vogler of Bradenton, Florida; eight grandchildren, Shawn Schmitz and his wife Megan and Jessica Schmitz all of Meadville, Dennis, Rachel, and Caitlin Hollarn all of Erie, Micayla, Gabriella, and Zoran Zejavac all of Bradenton, Florida; two step-grandson, Shaun McKinsey and his wife Denise of Conneaut Lake and Doug McKinsey of Espyville; three step-great grandchildren, Sarah, Ryan, and Jackson McKinsey; two sisters, Genivieve Oroukin and her husband Francis of Conneautville and Frances Williamson of Conneautville; a aunt, Anna Shaffer of Pittsburgh; and many nieces nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents. Family and friends may call on Thursday, October 20 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Roofner-Collins-Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 544 Chestnut Street, Meadville with a service by the American Legion Post 111 at 7:00pm and a prayer vigil service following at 7:30pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 21 at 10:00am at Saint Mary of Grace, 1085 Water Street, Meadville. with Father Matthew Kujawinski of Saint Agatha Roman Catholic Church, as celebrant. Following the mass full military honors will be performed by VFW Post 2006 Color Guard. Burial will be private in Saint Agatha Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please share a memory or a condolence with the family on Joseph's book of memories online at www.roofnercollinswarrenfh.com Arrangements are in the care of Roofner-Collins-Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 544 Chestnut Street, Meadville.