Marion County Remembers

Remembering PVT Steve Postellak (Farmington) July 31, 1924 - December 30, 1944 ---- Note: to the best of my knowledge, PVT Steve Postellak was the last Marion County man to die in military service in 1944. Postellak is also spelled with several different variations over the course of the records located. Most notably, Peter's declaration of intent for naturalization gives their last name as "Pasztellak" --- PVT Steve Postellak (Service #35756622) was born in Farmington, WV on July 31, 1924, the son of Hungarian immigrants Peter and Rosa (Zebo) Postellek. Their family lived in the "Big Laurel Run Road" area of Farmington (1930, 1940 Census), as Peter was a laborer at the Jamison Coal & Coke #9 Mine.  Somewhere between 1930 and 1935, Peter lost his right leg above the knee, and was no longer able to work (Naturalization Paperwork, 1940 Census). Steve graduated from Farmington High School in 1942. Military Service: Steve registered for the draft on December 17,...

Remembering PVT Nick Mihalic, Jr (Montana) April 17, 1916 - December 13, 1944 ---- Note: PVT Nick Mihalic, Jr is the great uncle of legendary Alabama football coach, Nick Saban Nick's name is listed on his draft card as "Nick Junior Mihalic," instead of as "Nick Mihalic, Jr" ---- PVT Nick Junior Mihalic (Service #35739885) was born in Montana, West Virginia (near Rivesville) on April 17, 1916, the son of Nick and Mary (Ynshgnski) Mihalic. Nick, Sr was a coal miner (1920, 1930 Census, 1938 City Directory), while their large family lived in Monongalia County (1920 Census), Ida May (1930 Census), Fairmont (1935 City Directory), and "Meredith Springs" (1938 City Directory). Unfortunately, he died in Barbour County in 1942.  Nick Jr. attended four years of high school (Enlistment Record), likely graduating around 1933, but it's unclear which Marion County high school he would have attended.  Military Service: 24-year-old Nick Mihalic registered for the ...