Leslie Koski

A funeral service, celebrating the life of Commander Leslie J. Koski, USNR, of Liebs Island, Millersport; will be held Monday at 11:00 A.M. in the Grace Lutheran Church, Thornville, with Pastor Beth Bateson as celebrant. Burial with full military honors will follow at Millersport Cemetery at 2:00 P.M. Leslie died September 19, 2012, in Lancaster, following an extended illness. He was born April 17, 1924, in Eveleth, MN, the son of the late Eli and Selma Kinunen Koski. Following his early education at Gilbert H.S. and Eveleth Junior College, he received a bachelor of science degree in Science education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. He entered the US Navy, and served honorably as a Navy Pilot, as a member of VP8-12 squadron during both WWII and Korea, retiring with the rank of Commander. He was stationed at Kodiak, Alaska; Whidbey Island, Washington; San Diego, California and Pensacola, Florida. Following retirement from active duty, he served in the Navy reserves for many years and worked for 30 years as a technical writer with Rockwell International in Columbus, Ohio; retiring in 1985. He is a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Thornville; and a former member of the Millersport Lions club. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Robert C. Koski.He is survived by his loving family: his wife (of 64 years) Bernice, son Randolph S. (Katie) Koski of Moscow, OH., daughters Kristine Koski Kain (Donald) of Knoxville, Iowa; Carol Koski Hafer (Donald) of St. Joseph, Michigan; grandchildren: Christopher, Leslie, and Jonathan Koski, Eydie Koski, Ben (Kelly) Phelps, Timothy Hafer (Rhianna Schneider), Cory (Jocelyn) Hafer, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. His family will receive friends on Sunday, September 23, 2012; from 4-6 p.m. at the Thornville home of The HOSKINSON-Schoedinger Funeral & Cremation Service, 56 S Main St. in Thornville; and on Monday, September 24, 2012; from 10-1045 A.M. at the Grace Lutheran Church. An on-line guest register and video tribute are available at www.hoskinsonfuneral.com. The family prefers memorials be directed to Grace Lutheran Church, 65 E Columbus St., PO Box 284, Thornville, Ohio 43076.