Dan Opritza

June 24, 1923 — Nov. 5, 2021 (age 98)

HOWLAND — Dan Opritza, 98, entered peacefully into eternal life Friday (Nov. 5) at 12:55 a.m. at Ohman Family Living at Briar under the comforting care of hospice.

He was born June 24, 1923 in Neshannock Township, Pa., the son of Nicholas and Anna Besoiu Opritza.

He was a graduate of East High School in Youngstown.

Dan attended Youngstown College before enlisting in the United States Army with the 61st Brigade at Fort Hayes. 

He served his country abroad during World War II as a driver and Army automotive mechanic. He was a proud veteran of the Battle of the Bulge. 

For his service to his country he was awarded the Driver & Mechanic Badge, American Theater Ribbon, Eastern Asian Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. 

He was honorably discharged March 31, 1946 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, with the rank of Private First Class.

After returning from the service, Dan worked for more than 30 years with Wean United, first as a longtime machinist. He retired as a computer tool programmer.

Dan was a longtime member of Holy Resurrection Romanian Orthodox Church where he sang in the church choir and was past council member and church auditor. 

He was a member of Romanian Veterans of America of Youngstown. 

Dan enjoyed gardening, listening to music and doing crossword puzzles.

Dan was united in marriage with the former Mary Pipenur on Nov. 3, 1946 and they were married for 64 years until her passing May 22, 2011.

He is survived by his children Dennis (Connie) Opritza of Poland and Janet (Jim) Davis of Cortland; grandchildren Jason (Erika) Opritza, Kara Opritza and Taylor (Alex) Mostoller; and great-grandchildren Olivia, Natalie, Sophia, Ava and Asher.

In addition to his parents and wife, Dan was preceded in death by sisters Pauline Wise and Ann Smith; and brothers Nick Opritza and John Opritza.

The body will lie in state Tuesday (Nov.9) from 10 to 10:50 a.m. in Holy Resurrection Romanian Orthodox Church. A funeral service with the Very Reverend Joseph Wargo officiating will begin at 11 a.m. in the church. Burial will follow in Crown Hill Burial Park in Vienna with full military honors. The Staton-Borowski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Dan’s family would like to offer special thanks to the staff at Ohman Family Living at Briar and Hospice of the Western Reserve for all of the care and comfort they gave to Dan and showed to the family.

The family requests that memorial contributions take the form of donations in Dan’s name to Holy Resurrection Romanian Orthodox Church, 1836 North Road NE, Warren Ohio 44483.

Condolences sent to www.statonborowskifuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dan Opritza, visit our floral store.