Romanian Burial for Fullerton Man

Ion (John) Antimie, a Fullerton man reported killed in his native Romania by security forces loyal to executed dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, will be buried beside his mother in his homeland this weekend, his family said Thursday.

Family members said they have been told that Antimie, 21, was shot eight times over the weekend near the city of Cluj and that his car was punctured with more than 400 bullet holes.

Those reports, still unconfirmed by the U.S. government, came after the family spoke for the first time with John’s brother, Constantine, 32. The brothers had gone to Romania to visit John’s girlfriend, then attempted to bring food and medical supplies into the country after violence broke out.

Constantine told family members that he had been hit twice in the attack on their moving car. “But he is OK,” said family member James Ovi of Riverside.

The Antimie brothers emigrated to this country four years ago and helped run a family construction business. A memorial service is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Anaheim.