Joseph A. Ropas, 91, of Elyria and formerly of Cleveland passed away Saturday November 22, 2014 at the Joshua Tree Retirement Center in North Olmsted following a brief illness. He was born March 15, 1923 in Swoyersville, PA. and lived in the Cleveland/Elyria area for most of his life. Joseph retired as a Cuyahoga County Corrections Officer, was a W.W. II United States Army veteran, for which he was awarded 4 Bronze Stars, and was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church in Elyria. Survivors include his daughters, Irene (Greg) Olmsted and Mary Ropas; sons, Thomas (Lorraine), Daniel, David, John (Cecile), and James (Debbie); 6 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; sister, Julia Ropas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice on April 18, 2014 and a brother, Pete Ropas. The family will receive friends on Monday December 1, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of closing prayers at 10:30 a.m. at the Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Service 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. (at State Rt. 57), Elyria. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Jude Church 590 Poplar St., Elyria. The Rev. Fr. Frank P. Kosem will be the Celebrant. Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery, Elyria. Memorial contributions can be made to the church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.laubenthalmercado.com Service: 11:00 AM Monday December 1, 2014 St. Jude Catholic Church 590 Poplar St. Elyria, OH. Visitation: 9:00 - 10:30 AM Monday December 1, 2014 Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Service 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. Elyria, OH.