Marion Dropulich

Marion Lewis Dropulich born 12/13/1920 in Canonsburg, Pa. to Joseph Dropulich ( Josip Dropuljic') and Rose (Gudac) Dropulich both from Croatia. Joseph was from Prolozac Gornji, Imotski, Dalmatia, Croatia and Rose from Bakarac, Rijeka, Istria, Croatia. Joseph and Rose met in Greenland, Michigan U.P. while Joseph and Rose's father ( Ivan Gudac ) and brothers all worked together in the copper mines at Victoria Falls in Ontonogan, County, Michigan. Helen ( born in Pa.), Frederick and Eva born in ( Greenland, Michigan ), Josephine,Jacob and Rose Zetta also born in Canonsburg, Pa.. Marion was in the Army in WW11. He was a pilot and a paratrooper in the Battle of the Bulge in France 1944. Marion was in a plane that crashed, ironically 6 miles from his father Joseph's homeland in Imotski region of Croatia, but he was rushed away before family could get to him, by the Italians. Marion after the war left to go to Cleveland, Ohio and he and his brothers ( Frederick Dropulich and Jacob ( Jack) Dropulich) opened up a garage for a while. Frederick ended up in Idaho near Cour D'elene, and Jack in Anchorage, Alaska. Marion went to Ypsilanti, Michigan with his brother Frederick looking for factory work in around 1946-47. In Ypsilanti, Mi. He met my grandmother Mary Ellen (Goodrich)Smith ( originally from Alpena, Michigan), and they fell in love, and married in Cleveland, Ohio and gave birth to my father Eric Joseph Dropulich on 08/06/1948. They went back to Ypsilanti, Michigan to work in the factories, Marion ( Murphy) worked for Motor State, and he also owned a garage off of Ecorse Rd, close to Michigan Ave.. He and my grandmother Mary Ellen Dropulich, then had my Aunt Rhonda Lee Dropulich in 1957. Marion passed away at a young age of 43 on October 17, 1964 from a massive heart attack. He was doing yard work and died with a rose in his hand. Marion was the 4th child of 7 children. Helen ( Carl Jobkar), Eva, Frederick, Marion, Josephine, Jacob and Rose Zetta (George Doutre). Helen and Rose Zetta came to Ypsilanti, Michigan with their husbands and family to help my grandfather Marion out after his first heart attack in about 1962, to operate my grandpa's garage. These families are still in Michigan today. Joseph, Marion's father died from a tragic Mining accident in Midland, Pa. At the age of 47 on 12/14/1936. A day after Marion's 16 the Birthday. Marion is buried at St. John's Cemetery off River St. In Ypsilanti, Michigan. My grandmother Mary Ellen is buried next to him. Mary Ellen passed away in May of 2003. Marion's - Dropulich family is still in Croatia. Prolozac Donji. Gudac family is still in Croatia, but no connections have been made as of 07/04/2022. I, Doreena Dropulich Tompkins went to Croatia in 2009 to meet all of my Dropulich relatives. Marion's legacy lives on. There are more than 160+ Dropulich-Gudac descendants from Joseph and Rose Dropulich. I have written a book called "The Day I Found Our Family In Croatia." Detailing the genealogy journey to finding all of the Dropulich ( Dropuljic') family there in Croatia. A copy can be purschased online through a search for it, and Zagreb, Croatia 's Library has a copy of this book as well. The book is under author : Doreena Dropulich Tompkins 07/04/2022