Steve G. Stropki age 89, of Canton, beloved father and uncle, passed away suddenly Monday morning in Aultman Hospital. He was born March 2, 1920, in Buffalo (Guernsey County), OH, the youngest child of his Slovak immigrant parents, the late George M. and Katrin J. (Karas) Stropki. A 1939 graduate of Community High School in Robins, OH, Steve was Vice President of his class. He also represented Guernsey County at the state track finals that year in Columbus, competing in the 100-yard dash and finishing fourth. An Army veteran, he was a resident of Canton since 1939. Steve was employed at two poplar Canton restaurants at the time, the D and E, and the Hut, before going to work at the Timken Co. as a tool inspector in Department 13, Canton bearing plant. He retired in Mar. 1982, after 41 1/2 years of service. Following retirement, he enjoyed spending time dancing, socializing with friends and traveling, including four trips to Slovakia to visit with family. Steve married Dena A. Piovanelli from Waynesburg, OH on August 28, 1948, a loving marriage that lasted nearly 28 years until her death on July 25, 1976. Steve was a member of Steelworkers Golden Lodge Local 1123 of Canton, a member of the First Catholic Slovak Union Branch 553 of Akron, a third degree knight with the Knights of Columbus Massillon Council 554 and a member of St. Joan of Arc Church in Canton. Steve was a sports enthusiast, and especially enjoyed baseball. He was a member of the 1943 Canton Industrial "B" championship team and was a passionate, life-long fan of the New York Yankees. Fluent in the Slovak language, Steve was very proud of his Slovak heritage, and he enjoyed sharing Slovak customs and foods with family and friends. He also was dedicated to preserving family history for future generations, and several years ago, he wrote a book titled "Stropki Family Memories," detailing the history of the Stropki family. Steve is survived by his two sons, George, of Canton and Steve, of Woodland Hills, CA; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Caryl Piovanelli of Portland, OR; many caring nephews and nieces; relatives residing in Slovakia; and special friends, Steve and Irene Kadis, of Canton. In addition to his beloved late wife, Dena, he was preceded in death by his twelve siblings: two infant brothers both named John, brothers, Mike, George, Andrew, Joseph and Charles, and sisters, Mary Younger, Margaret Garbel, Toncha Adams, Ann Gaston and Verna Laskey. Friends may call Thursday from 6-9 p.m. at the Formet-Clevenger-Gordon Funeral Home in Canton. A brief prayer service will be held there Friday morning, and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. in St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church with Fr. Matthew Albright as Celebrant. At the same time a memorial service in Steve's memory will be held in the Stropki family village of Zemplinska Teplica, Slovakia. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Massillon. Steve's life was a gift of love and devotion to family; a life that will always remain in memory as a blessed treasure we were given.