Stephen Ronald Chromulak

Ron passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026. He was born on November 25, 1942 in the Charleroi-Monessen Hospital. He was reared by his parents, Stephen "Jesse" Chromulak and Margaret Rusnak Chromulak at 919 Summit Ave., Monessen, PA, in a house owned by his maternal grandparents. He went to Washington Elementary school which was just across the street from his house and graduated from Monessen Jr and Sr High School located on the corner of 6th Street and Reed Ave. with the Class of 1960. He attended St. John the Divine Russian Orthodox Church in Monessen.

Following graduation, he entered the United States Air Force in June of 1960. His boot camp was at Lackland AFB, Texas and technical training was at Rantoul AFB, Illinois. The specialty field was Aircrew Life Support Systems, Survival, Escape, Evasion and Combat Rescue. He received his first field assignment to Duluth Municipal Airport, Minnesota. From there, Ron was assigned to various places around the globe including Vietnam, Korea, England and Germany overseas, Virginia, Florida, New Mexico, Colorado and Louisiana in the United States. During his 21-year military career, he received many medals, decorations and honors for his service to his country and from other countries stationed in. Ron was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam and the Pueblo Incident. He furthered his education during his military service toward his Bachelor’s Degree. He was a founding member of the American Air Museum in Duxford, Britain. He was recognized by The Institute of Advanced Motorist which lead to him receiving the prestigious Anglo-American Award for negotiating an agreement that allowed U.S. Servicemen and women to receive reduced motorcycle insurance rates by taking a riding test that was formerly only open to citizens of the United Kingdom.

Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1981, Ron returned to his native Monessen and accepted a job as production manager at the Vocational Rehabilitation Center of Allegheny County (VRC) branch in Monessen, a local sheltered workshop for the disabled. This allowed him to work and complete his education, receive his degree in Administration and Management and to pursue higher goals in his life.

In 1983, he was offered a position with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the then recently created Veterans Services Unit as a Disabled Veterans Employment Representative where he assisted veterans with preparing themselves to be competitively employable by having the proper education, training, credentials, and also making them aware of all the benefits available to them. He climbed the ladder being assigned as a local Veterans Employment Representative and other various positions and projects that included Employer, Marketing and Public Relations for the entire Department of Labor. He received numerous awards from the US Department of Labor, Disabled Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor for his work with veterans and local businesses. Ron continued working for the Commonwealth until his retirement in June of 2003.

He was a driving force of the POW/MIA Movement in the Mon Valley and at the State and National level. During this time, he was involved in several movements to help locate and free POW’s held in Vietnam. In addition, he was involved in other programs including The Young Astronaut Program and the "Challenger" Astronaut Memorial in Monessen, PA. Ron implemented Space Camp in the valley schools and it was very useful in encouraging students to take a deeper interest in Science, Mathematics and Technology.

Ron appeared many times on WPXI Channel 11, "Starting Today" with his good friend, Don Riggs, discussing issues from veterans, POW/MIA’s, the Space Program and job programs. He was asked by Mike Fraser to be a guest DJ on Radio Station WWSW for Veterans Day several times.

In 1986, he was appointed to serve on US Senator Arlen Spector's Veterans Advisor Committee where he served several years with honor and pride helping to shape Veterans programs. Ron was very active and outspoken on Veterans issues. He was recognized by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with citations for his work with Veterans. He continued to work with elected officials concerning Veterans matters.

He was a member of The Air Force Association where he received many national, state and local awards for his service with the organization, and being invited to the White House by Reagan on four occasions. He held office as the Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-President and Chapter President of the Joe Walker-Mon Valley Chapter. He served as the State President and State VP of the Air Force Association and Air Commando Association. Ron earned his membership through his military service in the 1st Air Commando Squadron, 39th Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron and the 67th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron(Special Operations Squadrons). In the American Legion, he was Commander, Vice Commander, Post 28, Service Officer and the Co-State POW/MIA Co-Chairman. He received the most prestigious Legion of Honor Award by The Chapel of the Four Chaplin’s for service to Veterans. Disabled American Veterans bestowed several State awards on Ron for his work at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor for his service to Disabled Veterans. He was a member of Mon Valley Chapter 131 where he served as the Service Officer, Vice-Commander and Post Commander of the DAV. Pleiku Air Base Association was a group of fellow veterans who were stationed at Pleiku Air Base, Vietnam in the 60's and 70’s that met yearly to renew old friendships, reminisce and remember fallen comrades. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the USO for continued support of the men and women of the United States Military and providing aid and comfort to his comrades in arms. Veterans of Foreign Wars presented Ron with several national and state awards for his diligent efforts in providing veterans with many opportunities to obtain education, training, health benefits and employment. As a member of Allison-Lescanac Post 1190, he served as the Service Officer, Vice Commander and Commander. He also served as the State POW/MIA Chairman. As a member of the Monessen Elks Lodge 773, he supported numerous Elks Veterans related projects. Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, he was recognized on the "National Aviation and Space Wall of Honor" for his service to his country. Flight 93 National Memorial, he was a founding member of the Memorial and recognized by former Governor Tom Ridge for his Patriotism and being instrumental in building this Memorial. He was also the former Vice Chairman of The Monessen Chamber of Commerce, where he served as President in 1995 and 1996. He served as the Chairman and President of the Monessen Veterans Council and as Chairman of the Mon Valley Veterans Council. Ron was the chairman of the 70th Annual Mon Valley Veterans Day Parade and Celebration in 2014 receiving a letter of support and congratulations from former President George W. Bush. He was the Chairman of the Parade that recognized Michael Moorer, a Monessen Product as "The World Heavy Weight Boxing Champion". He was the Chairman of the Monessen War Veterans Memorial Trust which he was responsible for the raising $26,000 to restore Monessen's two War Memorials at the walking track and the Eastgate Veterans Island. The most recent projects included the restoration and upgrading of the WWII Sherman Tank Memorial at the City Park, having the picnic shelters, walking track and amphitheater named after deceased veterans from Monessen who were killed in action. Ron was also featured in a book entitled, "The Men of Pleiku" with an entire chapter devoted to his life. His service is also remembered in the Official History of Langley Air Force Base in the United States Air Force archives. He was presented a letter of congratulations from President Trump to give Stephen Major on his 100th Birthday, he served on many committees in his community and the veterans community over the years and most recently the Greater Monessen Historical Society. Ron had a unique collection of authentic handmade wooden aircraft that reflect his Military career on display in his home. Active in the former St. Michaels Orthodox Church in Monessen, he served as Vice President of the church council. In his younger days, Ron enjoyed sky diving. He did two High Altitude Low Opening "HALO" jumps from 42,000 ft. In 1968, Ron became one of the first enlisted men to fly at twice the speed of sound "MACH 2" in a F-106B Convair Jet Interceptor. He loved various types of motorcycle racing and has many trophies to show for it. He was a huge Formula 1 racing fan and remained one for life. Ron enjoyed getting the youth of the day involved in the space program through the Young Astronauts Program in Mon Valley area schools. He remained a great supporter of the United States Space Program due to the fact that he worked with some of the original Astronauts during his time at Langley Air Force Base. Ron recalled a famous conversation between Gordon Cooper and himself. He asked "Gordo" "what scares you the most about going into space?”, and Cooper replied, “knowing the damn thing was built by the lowest bidder!”.

One of the highlights of Ron's career was when he was stationed at Pleiku, Vietnam, and the Base Commander asked him to drive John Wayne around on the base to the different places he had to go. One of the lowlights of being stationed there was when he took an South Vietnamese Air Force plane with pilot and several VNAF members on an unauthorized trip to Bong Son to pick up a needed part and got shot down. He was left for dead with the rest of the men. When they went in to recover the remains, someone noticed his body was still warm after three days. He later found out his back was broken in three places, his neck was broken in two places and broken leg. He avoided court martial, but would not receive any awards for his injuries.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years Beverly (Buchko) Chromulak, a stepdaughter Tracey(John) Howlett, and a stepson Barry(Renee) Miklos, five grandchildren Rhianna, Anthony, Ryan, Rhylee and Evan all of Rostraver, a brother and sister-in-law Greg (Debbie) Chromulak, nephew Jeffrey Chromulak all of Monessen and a daughter Tanya VanReese. He is preceded in death by two sons Stephen R. Chromulak and Curtis L. Chromulak. Friends will be received on Wednesday, January 7 from 2pm until 4pm and 6pm until 8 pm in the Robert A. Billick Funeral Home Inc. Grand Blvd. and Marion Ave. Monessen. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday at 7:30 pm in the funeral home with Fr. Fred Pfile Officiating. interment will be in The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Online condolences can be left at www.billicksfuneralhome.com. The American Legion Post 28 and the VFW 1190 will conduct Services on Wednesday at 3:30 pm in the funeral home.