John Benedik, 92, of Sheffield Township, died Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at Hearthstone At Lorain, following a brief illness.
He was born March 2, 1915 in Mala Poloma, Slovakia; he came to the United States in 1939, settling in Bluefield, West Virginia where he worked with his father in the coal mines. In 1941 he moved to Lorain where he lived until moving to Elyria in 1945. In 1950 he moved to Sheffield Township where he has lived since.
He served in the US Navy during the mid 1940's as a Fireman Second Class, having received the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with 2 stars and the Victory Medal.
John worked at Lorain Works US Steel for 36 years retiring in 1977 as a radio control engineer on the narrow gauge. He was also a carpenter; having built many things over the years including the house that he lived in for 56 years.
He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Elyria, the United Steel Workers Union Local 1104, and was a life member of the Amvets Post 47 of Lorain.
He enjoyed gardening, reading history and watching historical documentaries, wordworking, and traveling. He was also an avid Cleveland Indians fan.
Surviving is his son, John G. (Cherie) Benedik of Kent; daughter, Marjorie S. (Daniel) Martin of Elyria; grandchildren, Cara Craig, Kelly Given, John O. Benedik, and James Benedik; great grandchildren, Hannah, Ashley, Kaitlyn, Andy, Christopher, Johnny and Skylar; and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Margaret (nee Gresko), in 2001; parents, Juraj Benedik in 1942 and Katarina (nee Romok) in 1965; a grandson, Benjamin Benedik, in 2001; a brother, George (Juraj) Benedik in 1992; sisters, Julia (Juliou) Benedik on April 20, 2007, Zuzana Kafka in 1997, and Maria Simun in 1986.
The family will receive friends on Friday from 6:00 to 9:00 pm in the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain. The family will also receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 1140 West River Road, Elyria. Rev. Von Eric Berlin, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery, Lorain