John Zahratka's Obituary
John Zahratka, age 83, of Lorain, passed away Monday, July 19, 2010 at the Cleveland Clinic, following a lengthy illness.
He was born on November 15, 1926 in Mather, Pennsylvania to Michael and Catherine (nee Kurtyka) Zahratka. He graduated from high school in Pennsylvania in 1944. After graduation from high school he was drafted by the United States Army and served his Country State side during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and moved to Lorain.
John worked for Nelson Stud, Ford Motor Co., American Ship Builders and Carpenter Millright Union. John finally made the decision to retire at the age of 80 from Elcor Incorporated, in Elyria.
John was an all around handyman. He loved gardening, reading, cross word puzzles and fishing. He was an avid sports fan.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rose (nee Recznik); son John (Beth) Zahratka, of Sheffield Village; daughters, Deborah (John) Strick, of Columbus, Dr. Cynthia (Dr. Rich Kolanda) Zahratka-Kolanda, of Stow, OH and Boston, MA and Jennifer (Tom) Roth, of Lorain; grandchildren, Daniel, John, Kevin, Lesley (Jon), Susan, Wes, Jeff, Zachary and Michael; great-grandchildren, Broc, Annabella, Owen and Jordan; brothers, Michael, Robert (Melvine) and Richard (Susan) Zahratka; sisters, Kay McDermott, Louise Urda, Mary Jane McPhillips and Diane Zahratka.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sharon; parents, Michael and Catherine Zahratka; sisters, Dorothy Paskvan and Patricia Weisheit.
The Zahratka family will receive family and friends on Thursday, July 22, 2010 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Rd., Amherst. Prayers will be held on Friday, July 23, 2010 at 8:45 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Mary Mother of God Parish, 309 W. 7th. St., Lorain. Rev. Daniel O. Divis, pastor, will officiate. Interment Calvary Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dovinreberjones.com
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