Harold E. Popadic, 97, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away at Ascension-All Saints, on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. He was born in Racine, the son of the late Andrew and Elizabeth (nee: Janosko) Popadic.

Harold served his country in the U.S. Army as a Corporal Tech 5 during WWII and was attached to the 87 ^th Chemical Mortar Battalion, "B" Company, Second Platoon, Third Squad. On June 6, 1944 (D-Day), he landed in Normandy on Utah Beach (second wave). Harold fought in other major battles in France, the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Belgium and Germany. He was wounded on March 21, 1945 by a time bomb that exploded 40 yards away from his mortar position. Harold received the Purple Heart metal. His battle experiences were documented in two books: "The Mortarmen" by Michael Connelly and the "Bloody Clash at Sadzot – Hitler's Final Strike for Antwerp" by William B. Breuer.

On July 17, 1954, Harold was united in marriage to Dorothy. He was employed by the Dumore Corp. for 46 years and a member of the UAW Region 10, Local #642. He was a longtime member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. Harold enjoyed working in his vegetable garden, tinkering on his cars, watching the Packers and Brewers, and reading.

Surviving are his wife, Dorothy; their children, Timothy and Renee, both of Racine, and his dog, Taffy. Harold is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Jolene; brothers and sisters, Elizabeth (Charles) Rorek, Ann (Bill) Tucker, Frank (Helen) Popadic, and Will (Leona) Popadic.

The family would like to thank the VA Union Grove Home Based Primary Care Team for the care they gave Harold throughout the years and to the Compassus and Ascension Nurses for their compassion and care in his final days.

Service Details

A private service was held with burial and full military honors at West Lawn Memorial Park.

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Rd. Suite 300 Jacksonville, FL 32256, or the Safe Harbor Humane Society, 7811-60 ^th St. Kenosha, WI 53142.