Joseph Nagy

Joseph Lewis Nagy was born in Cresent, Ohio on November 16,1916. His father owned a store that served the mining community. At age 12 he moved with his family to Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from John Marshall High school in a class of 432 with an honor key. He attended Ohio State University for two years then worked in the civil service department in Washington D.C. until 1941 when he entered the US Army. He attended flying cadet school in Midland, Texas and received his officer's Insignia, as a bombardier. He was assigned overseas to the middle east theatre. Joseph flew 39 missions. He participated in the first raid on Ploesti Oil Refineries, which was a volunteer low level attack in which 200 liberators took part. And consisted of 2000 men. This raid was designed to deplete the gasoline and oil supply which in turn would shorten the war and save lives. Captain Nagy was wounded over Messina Harbor, Sicily and received the Purple Heart. For other engagements he received the Silver Star Air medal with thirteen clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After returning to the states, he was assigned to the Harvard Air Force Base in Harvard, Nebraska, as Staff Bombadier. Captain Nagy met his bride, Violette Bernice Rodocker, here. They were married June 11, 1944. Daughter Linda Joy was born in Hastings, Nebraska. A year later the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio . Daniel Joseph was born in Cleveland. .Joseph attended Fenn College in the Engineering Division and was employed by the City of Cleveland as Superintendent of Water Pollution Control. He retired after 35 years of service to the city. Joseph wrestled, played football and track in High School. He played class A baseball in Cleveland. He also played summer base ball with Purdum and Halsey teams for several years. Joseph and Violette loved fishing and golfing and were avid rock hounds. They visited every capital in the United States except in Alaska. They took several cruises including one to Rio de janeiro to rock hunt. Upon retirement they moved from Thompson, Ohio to North Olmstead Ohio then bought a ranch in Keystone, Nebraska. Winters were spent in Mesa, Arizona. Upon selling the ranch they spent two summers in Halsey before moving to Kearney, Nebraska. Survivors include his wife Violette Nagy of Stuart, NE, son Dan and wife Jackie Nagy of Long Pine, NE, and daughter Linda and husband Howard Clark of Lakeview, Ohio. 8 grandchildren: Tom, Jesse, Joey, Julie, Jason, Andrea, Rochell and Rhonda and 16 great grandchildren. Joseph was preceded in death by his father, John S. Nagy, His mother Elizabeth Pearl Pocsik , his brother John S. Nagy of Cleveland, sister Pearl Hornyak of Cleveland, grandson Joseph Daniel Nagy, and a great granddaughter, Katrina K Trenchard. Joseph Nagy age 95 of Stuart died Friday March 16, 2012 at the Parkside Manor in Stuart, NE. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday March 20, 20112 at 11:00 AM at the United Church of Christ in Purdum, NE with Rev. Judy Cook officiating. Burial will be in the Purdum Cemetery. Memorial may be given to the Disabled American Veterans. Govier Bros. Mortuary of Broken Bow is in charge of the arrangements.