Long journey over, Seaman Slapikas returns home for burial

ASHLEY — It’s been a long journey — nearly 77 years — but Navy Seaman 1st Class Edward F. Slapikas came home Friday night.

A hearse carrying the casket bearing remains of the Wanamie native, who was killed at Pearl Harbor, returned to Luzerne County and will soon be interred near his family.

Slapikas, 26, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec, 7, 1941, resulting in America’s entry into World War II.

His remains were identified through DNA testing last year.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in Holy Spirit/St. Adalbert’s Parish, 31 S. Market St., Glen Lyon, with the Rev. Louis Kaminski officiating. Interment and full military services will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Wanamie.

A veteran is reflected in the back of a hearse as he peers at the casket of Seaman Edward Slapikas Friday night in Ashley. The remains of Slapikas, a Wanamie native who was killed at Pearl Harbor in 1941, returned to Luzerne County Friday evening and will be interred near his family on Saturday.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_TTL060918slapikas1-3.jpgA veteran is reflected in the back of a hearse as he peers at the casket of Seaman Edward Slapikas Friday night in Ashley. The remains of Slapikas, a Wanamie native who was killed at Pearl Harbor in 1941, returned to Luzerne County Friday evening and will be interred near his family on Saturday.