Martin Olenic, Sr., 87, a lifelong resident of Highfield and the Lowrie House Assisted Living Center, Butler, died Friday morning, at Sunnyview Home.

He was born in Butler on Sept. 18, 1918, the son of John and Tillie Ivanishyn Olenic, Sr.

In 1983, he retired as a ladle crane operator from Armco Steel Corp.’s Butler works, where he had worked for 43 years.

Mr. Olenic was an active member of St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Lyndora. For many years he had devoted his time to the parish in assisting the pastor with church activities, weddings and funeral ceremonies and maintenance projects. He was also a former council member of the church

A decorated Army veteran of World War II, he had served in Central Europe as part of the 70th Infantry Division.

On Sept. 28, 2001, Mr. Olenic was one of a group of World War II veterans who were recognized by the French government for their participation in the liberation of France during World War II. This award ceremony was at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Prior to his military service, he had been a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps, working in Utica, N. Y., and northeastern Pennsylvania on the construction of roads and bridges.

He was a member of the Michael Kosar Post 778 of the American Legion in Lyndora and the Butler Armco Employees Association.

Mr. Olenic is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Robert (Doris) Rasch of Butler; three sons, Martin (Kathy) Olenic, Jr., William R. (Beverly) Olenic, and Robert J. (Barbara) Olenic, all of Butler; four brothers, Alex Olenic of Sandston, Va., and Paul Olenic, John Olenic, George Olenic, all of Butler; three sisters, Anne Yanotty, Julie Walak and Helen Olenic, all of Butler; 10 grandchildren, Mrs. William (Marie E.) Bellis, Robert E. Rasch II, Dr. Gregory (Emily) Olenic, Ryan Olenic, Brendan J. Olenic and Jonathan R. Olenic, all of Butler, James (Kristen L.) Elliott of Fort Collins, Colo., Bradley M. (Kelly) Olenic of Baden, Doug Olenic of Hermosa Beach, Calif., and Rachelle C. Olenic of Phoenixville, Pa.; and three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Danile and Nathan Bellis.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Fedokovitz Olenic, whom he married Jan. 26, 1941, and who died June 10, 1988; and two brothers, Michael Olenic and Andrew Olenic.

OLENIC — Friends of Martin Olenic Sr., who died Nov. 11, 2005, will be received at the GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. Cunningham St. from 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Andrew Orthodox Church, 201 Penn Ave., Lyndora. The Very Rev. Joseph D. Wargo will officiate. Burial will be at the North Side Cemetery, Butler.Parastas services will be held at 8 p.m. Sunday, at the funeral home.