Samuel E. Lanza 1926-2018
WARREN — Samuel E. “Sam” Lanza, 92, of Warren, passed away peacefully Saturday evening, Oct. 27, 2018, at his residence, with his loving family by his side.
Sam will always be remembered and loved by his family and friends for his generosity, kindness, and his heart of gold. Sam was a man who said what was on his mind and always fought for what was right with all his heart.
Sam was born Jan. 20, 1926, in Warren, the son of Joseph L. and Edith Gustafson Lanza and was a lifelong area resident.
Sam heard the call of his country and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on March 10, 1944, serving during World War II. He earned the rank of corporal and was stationed in the Asiatic Pacific area with his military specialty Machine Gun Crewman.
Sam was wounded in action on April 22, 1945, in Okinawa, and spent 16 months on a hospital ship and in other Naval hospitals until he was honorably discharged Aug. 12, 1946, from the Marine Barracks Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois.
Sam was awarded the following decorations for his service to our country: Honorable Service Button, the Purple Heart for wounds in action, the Good Conduct Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon.
Sam started his career in Milwaukee at Nordberg Manufacturing Co., and Tex-Rite Corp. Upon moving back to Warren in March of 1948, he worked at the War Assets Administration and the Lordstown Ordnance Depot until it closed in December 1963. Sam then was employed with the U.S. Army Support Element in Oakdale, Pa. (a Nike site) as a housing manager until Feb. 27, 1981.
Sam joined the Disabled American Veterans, Trumbull County Chapter 11 in 1948, and was appointed the adjutant on a temporary basis and served in that position until the present. He also served as treasurer, chapter service officer and was the legislative chairman. Sam has gone through all the chairs of the DAV Department of Ohio and was elected to State Commander in June 1997, serving through 1998. He was called to also serve as a state senior vice commander and the DAV National Executive Committee.
Sam was a lifetime member of numerous organizations: the Disabled American Veterans; the Military Order of the Purple Heart, where he served as commander of Chapter 606; the VFW; the Marine Corps League, where he was senior vice commandant for two years; the American Legion Post 540, of NAUS, NARFE where he was past president; and the AmVets.
Sam has been honored by a proclamation naming on May 8, 1992, Sam Lanza Day in Warren, a second proclamation naming April 25, 1998, Sam Lanza Day in Warren and, on the same date, a proclamation naming Sam Lanza Day in Trumbull County. He was also honored by the Tribune Chronicle and the American Red Cross as a Community Star.
Sam had many passions throughout his life. He enjoyed Notre Dame football and was an accomplished bowler, having scored a 297 game.
His wife, the former Shirley Joyce Meier, whom he married on May 24, 1946, died March 20, 2003, after 57 years of marriage together.
Sam leaves behind to hold onto his precious memories his three sons, Sam (Edna) Lanza of White Oak, Pa., David (Carol) Lanza of Mineral Ridge and Edward (Donna) Lanza of Cortland; three daughters, Linda Allen, Elaine Taylor and Marilyn Porec, all of Warren; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great grandchildren; and a longtime friend and companion, Jean Parke; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Besides his parents and wife, Sam was preceded in death by a daughter, Margaret “Peggy” Eaton; three brothers, Joseph, Louis and Charles Lanza; and a sister, Lena Clark.
There will be a funeral service 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, at Bazetta Christian Church, 4131 Hoagland Blackstub Road, Cortland, with Pastor Sanford Downs officiating. Following the church service, the great men of the Trumbull County American Legion will provide military honors for Sam. Family and friends may pay their respects 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, at Sinchak & Sons Funeral Home, 727 E. Market St., and 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, at Bazetta Christian Church. Entombment will take place in Pineview Cemetery, Warren.
In lieu of flowers material contributions may be made, in Sam’s name, to Bazetta Christian Church, 4131 Hoagland Blackstub Road, Cortland, Ohio 44410 or to Disabled American Veterans, 2044 Youngstown Road SE, Warren, Ohio 44484.
Family and friends may visit www.sinchakandsons.com to view this obituary, sign the guest book or share condolences with Sam’s family.
Sam said, “I am proud to have been able to service my country and may God bless America and all our military serving us around the world.”
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