Joseph S. Badyna

Joseph Stanley Badyna passed away on June 8, 2016 at Hospice of Northwestern Ohio after a valiant battle with cancer. He was 85 years old.

Joe was born on May 24, 1931 in Toledo Ohio to Joseph and Clementine (Michalak) Badyna. He was a 1948 graduate of Woodward High School and attended Toledo University. During his youth he was a paperboy.

Joe served in the United States Marine Corps 1950-54. A Korean War veteran, he served aboard the USS Saipan. Joe was onboard the Saipan when it became the first U.S. aircraft carrier to circle the globe. He was honorably discharged with the rank of PFC and after the war, received a special honorary medal from the Korean government.

After military discharge, Joe worked at Libbey Owens Ford for 38 years; declaring he would enjoy retirement and never work again, he found himself two weeks later employed at Anderson's and spent a decade there. Joe also worked with the Board of Elections for many years as a voting precinct staffer.

Adept at sports, Joe played basketball and football for the Marines as well as church basketball. He was an active lifelong bowler, golfer and runner. Joe was a huge lifelong Ohio State Buckeyes and Detroit Tigers fan.

Anyone who knew Joe, knew that he was a huge fan of the television show Seinfield and often quoted episodes. A master storyteller, Joe entertained multitudes with lively stories of yesteryear. Never an unkind word about anyone was ever uttered by him. He was admired, respected and loved by many. Joe was patient, true, strong, honorable and kind - a true Marine in every sense of the word.

Active in the community, Joe was an integral part of Toledo's The Old News Boys where he was named Man of the Year. An active member of the Woodward Class of 1948, in 2015 he was inducted into the Woodward Hall of Fame for athletics and community achievement. Joe was a regular member of the Woodward Class of '48 luncheon group, the L.O.F. breakfast group and helped organize the Pals of Yesteryear that grew to a membership of over 300. He started the first area Cystic Fibrosis summer camp for kids and revived the local YMCA father and son Indian Guide Program. He served as Indian Guides regional district chief and was honored nationally by the program. Joe greatly enjoyed visiting with Saipan shipmates each year at their annual national Saipan Reunion.

Joe loved his sweetheart Davida Moldawsky so much that he married her twice: eloping on December 30, 1958 and holding a second formal ceremony on June 27, 1959. Known at the time of their marriage as modern day "Romeo and Juliette," Joe remained Davida's "Knight" and she remained his "Clarence" for over five decades.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Clementine and Joseph Badyna, daughter Traci Lynne Badyna Frank and son Troy "Champion" Charles Badyna.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Davida; son and daughter-in-law Timothy(Bud) and Lea King-Badyna of St. Simons Island, Georgia; daughter-in-law and son-in-law Karen (Kramer Badyna) and Jason Carpenter and the sunshine of Grandpa's life, granddaughter Kayla Lynne Badyna of Columbus; brother and sister-in-law Dale and Sue (Kelly) Badyna of Temperance, Michigan; brothers and sisters in law Jack and Suzi (Moldawsky) Decker and Marek and Sue (Sterling) Moldawsky of Toledo; many nieces and nephews and extended family members.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held in Joe's honor this Sunday, June 12th at 2:00 PM at Newcomer Funeral Home at 4752 Heartherdowns Boulevard, Toledo. For more info and to view the obituary visit: www.NewcomerToledo.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Traci Lynne Badyna and Troy Champion Badyna Foundation: in check memo list account #1030935; make checks payable to Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund and mail to: Fidelity, PO BOX 770001, Cincinnati, OH 45277; or contribute to the charity of the donor's choice.