Josephine Stella (Dziatkowicz) Kasper

Josephine Stella (Dziatkowicz) Kasper, 96, died peacefully in Somerdale, NJ, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in the home she shared with her son. She was born in Weirton, WV, to Matthew and Maryanna (Sliwa) Dziatkowicz on Thursday, February 26, 1925, in the family home on Avenue F (affectionately referred to as “220”). Josephine was a former member of Sacred Heart of Mary Church, where she enjoyed singing with the choir and playing the organ for Mass when the nuns were away. She graduated from Weir High School in 1943 and began working as Switchboard Operator with C & P Telephone Company. Josephine truly enjoyed her days asking, “Number please?”. She married Stanley W. Kasper in 1949. The young couple left Weirton in 1956 when his job took them to New Jersey. There, she worked the switchboard at Lit Brothers Department Store and then at Kennedy Hospital. For the past 65 years, calls to family in Weirton began with “New Jersey calling” and ended with “Alright, over and out.” “Jozefka” made repeated trips back to Weirton to look after her sister, Ann. She always took the time to visit with sister-in-law Margie and her family. Josephine never forgot her roots and enjoyed her last visit to Weirton in 2016 to attend the Polish Fest and visit with family and friends. She was feisty with a quick wit and loved sharing stories about the good old days. She will be remembered as a loving and attentive mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who enjoyed sitting on the porch swing watching the sunrise with her dog, Lucky. In addition to her parents, Josephine was preceded in death by her husband Stanley in 1966, son Andrew Kasper in 2008, brothers Walter Dziatkowicz (KIA WW II) and twin Joseph S. (Margaret) Dziatkowicz, sisters Angela & Bernice Dziatkowicz, Ann (Steve) Harcarik, Rose (John) Hurtuk, Frances Lakatos, uncle Rev. Andrew Wilczek, and nephew Joseph W. Dziatkowicz. She is survived by her son and caregiver Stanley Kasper Jr., daughter-in-law Loralie Kasper, granddaughters Kellie and Jessica Kasper, great-granddaughter Amberly Kasper, brother-in-law Joseph T. Lakatos, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Thursday, 6-8 PM, at Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home in Weirton. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Tony Thurston at noon on Friday, June 4, at Sacred Heart of Mary Church, 200 Preston Avenue. Burial will follow in the family plot at St. Paul Cemetery. Memorials to Sacred Heart of Mary Rectory Roof Replacement Fund 200 Preston Avenue Weirton, WV 26062. Share tributes at www.grecohertnick.com