Joseph P. Vild 1931-2024
BOARDMAN — Joseph P. Vild, 92, died Friday, March 8, 2024, at Hospice House, after a brief bout with cancer.
He was born Sept. 29, 1931, in Midway, the son of Frank and Edna Sklenicka Vild. He graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1949 and enlisted in the Navy, where he served as an electronic technician on the destroyer tender USS Everglades for “three years, nine months and 28 days.”
After an honorable discharge, he lived in Cleveland and attended Fenn College (Cleveland State University), graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering degree. He participated in a co-op program with Republic Steel Research Center, Cleveland, and upon graduation in 1959, was hired full time. He obtained three patents and belonged to organizations for non-destructive testing engineers. In 1975, he transferred to Republic Steel, Youngstown, until leaving LTV Steel in 1992.
He married Jeanne Marie Glenn at Gesu Catholic Church, University Heights, on Sept. 28, 1963. Together they had two children, Susan Marie and Paul Joseph, and had lived in Boardman since 1975.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne, of 60 years; daughter, Sue Pittman and husband, Lew of Salem; granddaughters, Shaylyn Heath and husband, Tyler of Salem; Hope Vild and fiance, Eric Sawtelle of Austintown; grandsons, Christian James, and Jacob ad Joseph Pittman, all of Salem; great-granddaughter, Gracelyn Marie Heath of Salem; bonus grandchildren, Matt Jenkins and wife, Deanna, and Joshua Pittman; bonus great-grandchildren, Riley, Oliver and Ruth Jenkins, and Lily and Finn Pittman, all of Columbus; sister, Fran Bolock of Adena; brother, Gerald Vild of Bridgeport; and nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; adult son, Paul Vild; sister and brother-in-law, Rose and Gil Rodriques; and brother-in-law, Richard Bolock.
The Very Rev. Msgr. John Zuraw will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024, at St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church, 7345 Westview Drive, Boardman.
The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. April 13, at the church.
As a Navy veteran, burial will take place in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Seville, at a future date.
(special notice)