Joseph F. Stetka Jr., former owner of a Highlandtown tavern and a World War II veteran, died of congestive heart failure Aug. 29 at his Parkville home. He was 93.

The son of Joseph F. Stetka Sr., owner of the Highland Cafe, and Elsie Stetka, who also owned a bar, Joseph Francis Stetka Jr. was born and raised in East Baltimore.

After graduating from City College in 1941, he worked as a typist for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.

In 1942, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. After completing basic training at Parris Island, S.C., he was sent to the Pacific, where he fought at Tarawa, the Marshall Islands and the invasion of Saipan.

While in the Marines, Mr. Stetka boxed as a middleweight and became a middleweight Golden Gloves champion. He also played softball for the Marine Night Fighters as an infielder.

After being discharged in 1945, he returned to Baltimore and joined his father in operating the Highland Cafe, at Baltimore Street and Highland Avenue.

He later took over the business, which he operated until his retirement in 1998.

The former Lutherville resident was a member of the Country Club of Maryland for nearly 50 years, where he enjoyed golfing and playing gin rummy. He was an avid reader.

For the last 20 years, Mr. Stetka attended reunion gatherings of Marines from his unit.

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Ursula Roman Catholic Church, 8801 Harford Road in Parkville.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, the former Carolyn Fick; a son, Joseph F. Stetka III of Timonium; a daughter, Barbara Stetka Dettbarn of Bel Air; a stepson, Charles Beasman of White Marsh; two stepdaughters, Wanda Thompson of Parkville and Karen Norris of Edgewater; and 10 grandchildren. An earlier marriage to the former Alexandra Dubovik ended in divorce.

— Frederick N. Rasmussen