Nick Milasnovich

Nick Milasnovich, 92, of Alma, Kansas passed away Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Alma Manor Care Home. He was born August 18, 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Peter and Lucy Milasnovich. He graduated from Youngstown South High School. Nick was drafted into the United States Army on March 4, 1941, and was on maneuvers with the First Army when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. He was transferred into the Army Air Corp and after serving many assignments in the United States, he was separated from active duty on January 26, 1946. After returning home to Ohio, he joined the Army Reserve and was active for 27 years. He retired in June 1973 with a total of 32 years of military service. He attained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4, CW4, and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. He married LaVon F. Wasmund on September 22, 1946, and then moved to Alma, Kansas in February 1948. LaVon preceded him in death on December 5, 2002. Mr. Milasnovich worked for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service for 22 years in Wabaunsee County. He retired on September 24, 1977. He was a member of the Alma United Methodist Church, serving as the treasurer and a trustee for 15 years, and served six years on the nominating committee. He was also a member of the Alma Masonic Lodge 161, American Legion Post 32 of Alma, Reserve Officers Assoc., National Assoc. of Retired Federal Employees, American Assoc. of Retired Persons, Founding Sponsor of the National Museum of the U.S Army at Fort Belvoir, VA, and a Lifetime Charter member of the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.. Nick was also preceded in death by his father in 1948, brother in 1973, and mother in 1981. He is survived by two sisters, Mary Phillips of Alexandria, VA, and Rose Milasnovich of Falls Church, VA; one nephew; four nieces; three great nephews; five great nieces; seven great-great nieces; and four great-great nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 24 at the Alma United Methodist Church, with burial following in the Wasmund family plot in Prairie View Cemetery southeast of Alta Vista. Mr. Milasnovich will lie in-state beginning at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, at the Stewart Funeral Home of Alma, with a visitation from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.. Memorials are suggested to the Alma United Methodist Church or the Arthritis Foundation of Kansas and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Alma, P.O. Box 126, 66401.