Stanley Slusark, 94, passed away peacefully on Sept. 30 at Wesley Acres in Des Moines, Iowa, after living a very happy and rewarding life.Stan was born on Jan. 5, 1923, in Avoca, Pa., one of 15 children in a coal-mining family. After graduating from high school - where he starred in football and baseball - he moved to New Jersey to find work, following several family members. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army, hoping to join the 10th Mountain Division's elite ski troops. Even though his only skis were made of slats from old barrels, he made the cut and was sent to Colorado for training.Stan went on to a highly decorated military career, earning two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars, and a battlefield promotion to sergeant for bravery under fire. He fought the Japanese in the Aleutian Islands and the Germans in Italy and Yugoslavia. Just before he left for overseas, he met Virginia McCann - an Irish beauty - at a relative's house, and they engaged in a "correspondence romance" while he was serving overseas. Virginia and Stan married on Aug. 25, 1945. Following the war, Stan enrolled in Seton Hall University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. He then began a long career as a salesman and executive at Standard Uniform Service.Virginia and Stan settled in Bloomfield, N.J., and were blessed with two children, Art in 1956 and Frank in 1958. Virginia and Stan shared a strong Catholic faith and were very active in Sacred Heart Church in Bloomfield, particularly the Knights of Columbus and the Rosary Society. They spent 40 wonderful years together in New Jersey full of great times with family and friends. They loved a good party and were quite the dancers, particularly the polka, jitterbug and cha-cha.In 1985, Virginia and Stan retired to Smyrna, Del., where they were very active in volunteer circles, particularly with the St. Vincent DePaul Society, St. Polycarp Church, the Military Order of the Purple Heart and Delaware Home and Hospital. One of Stan's highest honors was being selected to represent Delaware at the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Virginia and Stan relocated to Fort Myers, Fla., in 2007, before moving to Johnston, Iowa, in 2011 to be closer to family. During their time in Iowa they made many friends at Martina Place Assisted Living in Johnston and Wesley Acres in Des Moines. Virginia passed away in 2014 at the age of 91. Stan is lovingly remembered by his son, Art and his wife, Nell, of Des Moines; and his son, Frank and his wife, Karen, of Lake Hopatcong, N.J. He was very proud of his grandchildren, Kate (Patrick) Kiely of New York City; Jane Slusark (Hugh McGuire); Mike Slusark of Des Moines; and Brian and Matt Slusark of Lake Hopatcong. Stan also cherished his three great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Stella and Maya. He is also survived by sister, Jean McCloskey of Cape Coral, Fla.; and brother, Henry of Avoca, Pa.The families would like to thank the staffs at Martina Place and Wesley Acres for making Stan and Virginia's later years happy and comfortable. A Catholic funeral service was held Thursday at St. Augustin's Catholic Church. A private burial will follow at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter, Iowa.In lieu of flowers or gifts, expressions of remembrance can be made in Stan's memory to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o St. Polycarp's Church, 135 Ransom Lane, Smyrna, DE 19977; or to Wesley Acres at 3520 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312. Condolences and memories of Stan may be shared with his family at www.AnkenyFuneralHome.com.