Serbeniuk, Stephen

SSGT. Stephen Serbeniuk, Sr., USAF, retired, 72, of New Baden, died Sunday, March 25, 2007 at his home. He was born March 4, 1935 in Philadelphia, PA, son of William and Lena Serbeniuk. He married Ursula Eichstaedt on August 10, 1961 in Berlin, Germany and she survives in New Baden. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Lena S. Unverrich and husband Don, currently serving as civilian support in Iraq; two sons, Stephen Serbeniuk, Jr. and wife Linda of La Mesa, CA, and Christopher W. Serbeniuk of New Baden; a granddaughter, Nicole R. Unverrich of Ogden, Utah; two sisters, Mary Braun of Philadelphia, PA and Helen Zankiv and husband Leon of Pennsauken, NJ; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Catherine Serbenick of Las Vegas, NV, Irmtraud and Joachim Fuchs of Berlin, Germany and nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two children in infancy, Mary Ann Serbeniuk and William Michael Serbeniuk; a grandson, Marc A. Unverrich; three brothers, Michael Serbeniuk, John Serbeniuk and Nick Serbenick; a sister Annie Krysko; brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Harry Krysko and Helen Serbeniuk. Mr. Serbeniuk was a veteran of the United States Air Force serving in Korea and Vietnam and retired as a Staff Sergeant after 20 years and 23 days of service. He was a member of St. George Church in New Baden, Knights of Columbus Council #10311 and the American Legion Post 321. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 2, 2007 at St. George Catholic Church in New Baden with Rev. Eugene Neff officiating. Burial of the cremains with full military honors will take place at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, April 1, 2007 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 2, 2007 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden. There will be a prayer service at 6 p.m.; the American Legion will visit at 7 followed by the Knights of Columbus Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the donor’s choice and will be received at the funeral home.