Stephen J. 'Steve' Buchko

HURLEY, Wis. - Stephen J. "Steve" Buchko, 92, of Ironwood, Mich., died Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.

He was born March 25, 1923, in Ironwood, son of the late Stephen and Anna (Lajcak) Buchko, and attended A.L. Norrie Grade School and Luther L. Wright High School.

He entered the U.S. Army on Jan. 18, 1943, serving as a dental technician in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II, and was honorably discharged on Jan. 7, 1946. Returning to Ironwood, he worked at the Becker Trailer Factory, delivered film for the Ironwood Theater, and retired as a technician for Bresnan Communications in Ironwood in 1984.

Steve was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood and the former Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and was a former member of Ironwood Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1823. An avid bowler, he bowled in Range area leagues for many years.

On May 17, 1952, Steve was married to Joan F. Surprenant at Holy Trinity Church in Ironwood by the late Rev. Ambrose Matejik. Joan survives.

Also surviving are a daughter, Mary Joan (Doug) Dorpat, Maple Grove, Minn .; two sons, Paul (Diane) and Tom (Mary), both of Ironwood; nine grandchildren, Chris, Joe and Laura Dorpat, and Francesca, Felicia, Anthony, Anna-Marie, Matthew and Martina Buchko; two sisters, Margaret Souther, Brevard, N.C., and Agnes Brody, Ironwood, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Michael, on Sept. 11, 1988; brother, Joe Buchko; and sisters, Dorothy Souther and Ann Girga.

In accordance with Steve's wishes, cremation has taken place.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date.

Private interment will be in Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be given to Steve's family online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.