Michael Joseph Stotka, Jr

Member of Immaculate Conception Church. Michael J. Stotka Jr., 79, of Washington, died Tuesday, November 28, 2006, in Washington Hospital, following a lengthy illness. He was born June 23, 1927, a son of Michael Sr. and Anna Repa Stotka. Mr. Stotka was a devoted Catholic and member of Immaculate Conception Church, Washington. He was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman. He was a commander of Hancock-McCune-Horne American Legion Post 705, Centerville, and a life member of Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of American Legion, Washington. Mr. Stotka worked for 21 years as an insurance agent and staff manager for Baltimore Life Insurance Co., finishing his career as a self-employed owner of Nu-Way Cleaning Services. A self-taught musician, Mr. Stotka played the accordion in a band with his brothers and for the enjoyment of his family. He was a man of many trades and always ready to offer a helping hand to anyone in need, whether it be a stranger, family or friend. His greatest love was being with his family. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many who will miss him dearly. On June 14, 1952, he married the love of his life, Josephine Ruszel, who survives. They were devoted to each other during their 54 years of marriage. Also surviving are four children, Deborah and husband Ted Smider, Cynthia and husband Mike Hunnell, David and wife Darlene Stotka, all of Washington, and Michael III and wife Cathy Stotka of Tulsa, Okla.; grandchildren Rachel, Laura, and Matthew Smider, Sarah (Levi) Pentland, Tara and Sheila Hunnell, Ashely (Joel) Hurbanek, Brittany Stotka and Michael IV and Christina and Amanda Stotka; great-grandchildren Noah Smider, Ava Hurbanek and Madison Pentland; four sisters, Lottie Korchmar, Frances Krivan, Josephine Acromite and Genevieve Saflin; four brothers, Edward, Joseph, Thomas and Leonard Stotka; and many nieces and nephews. Deceased, in addition to his parents, are a grandson, Eric Hunnell; and four brothers, Walter, John, Victor and William Stotka. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd. 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 2, in Immaculate Conception Church, followed by interment in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. Military rites will be conducted graveside by Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of American Legion. Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association.