Vernon "Vern" J. Udovich's Obituary
Vernon “Vern” J. Udovich, age 75, of Grafton passed away unexpectedly and suddenly Friday, February 24, 2023, at home. He was born January 22, 1948, in Lorain, Ohio.
Vern graduated from Lorain Admiral King High School in 1966. He began his career at Ohio Edison / First Energy as a lineman, advancing to foreman, and later to line supervisor. He worked for the company for 41 ½ years before retiring in 2008.
Vern was an Army veteran and served a tour in Vietnam, discharged at the rank of SP5 (T) in 1969.
Vern was an easy-going guy with a magnetic personality. He was always willing to lend a hand and offer advice. Vern enjoyed spending time with family and friends – especially with his daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchild. He loved telling stories and joking around. He was the last one to leave any party! He was always up for trying new restaurants, traveling to new places, and listening to music.
Vern was a jack-of-all-trades, and either by resourcefulness or trial-and-error, he knew the ins-and-outs of any handyman skills needed to build or repair anything home related. He extensively renovated his first home from the ground up and later spent countless hours building a new one in 1997. Most times you would have found him tinkering with his projects or working in the yard.
Vern collected antiques of all kinds over the years including jukeboxes, cash registers, wheel horse tractors, safes, and clocks. Anyone who leant an ear to hear about his projects probably didn’t realize what they signed up for!
He is survived by his wife Sharon (nee Szantay) of 51 years; daughter Tiffany (Greg) Pucko of Michigan; daughter Maren (Michael) Gunter of Grafton; brother Lindsay of California; grandchildren Mason, Max, Claire, and Nolan; and great-grandchild Lylah. Also, brothers-in-law Ronald (Sue) Szantay and Richard Szantay; sister-in-law Shelley Bixby; two nephews and one niece; and cousin George Rusinko.
Vern was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Veronica (nee Rusinko) Udovich and sister Gloria Knipper.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Wounded Warrior Project (support.woundedwarriorproject.org).
Join us for a Celebration of Life luncheon on Sunday, April 16th from 12:00-4:00 pm at Oscar’s Barn (36709 Royalton Road, Grafton, OH 44044).
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dovinreberjones.com
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