Michael Zdinak
November 23, 1915 ~ November 20, 2004
Michael Zdinak 88 of Weirton passed away November 20, 2004 at the Valley Haven Geriatric Home in Beech Bottom, WV. He was born November 23, 1915 in Port Homer, OH, the son of the late Michael Sr. and Theresa Rohal Zdinak. His wife of 64 years Anne Yatsco Zdinak preceded him on November 18, 2004. He was also preceded in death by his son-in-law James “Jim” Kunzler, great grandson Curtis Michael Van Horn, brothers Alex, John, and William Zdinak and sister Mary Zdinak.
Michael retired from the Weirton Steel Co. where he worked in the 54” Strip Steel Shipping Dept. where he was a supervisor with 44 years of service. He served his country in the US Army during WWII. He is a member of St Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 25 year club of Weirton Steel, VFW, Knights of Columbus, ET Weir Club and St Mary’s Men’s Club.
He is survived by three daughters, Patricia Ferry (Max) of Beech Bottom, WV; Karen Kunzler of Bloomingdale, OH, and Michele Strayer of Roanoke, VA; 11 grandchildren Andria Miller, Jeff Ferry (Julie), Joann Van Horn (Mark), Christine Merritt (John), John Ferry, Michael Kunzler (Dina), Jennifer Kunzler, Renee Kunzler, Nicole Kunzler, April Sparks (Michael) and Colleen Strayer and 13 great-grandchildren, brothers Pete Zdinak of Wilmington, DE, Andy Zdinak of Suffrin, NY, Paul Zdinak of Harrisburg, PA, sisters Mary Gogul, Catherine Mehalik and Theresa (Alex) Sabol all of Weirton.
Visitation will be Sunday 1-4 and 7-9PM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main St, Weirton. Rosary services will be held 6:30PM and Parastas services will be held 7:15PM Sunday at the funeral home. Blessing Services will be held 9:30 AM Monday at the funeral home followed by 10:00 AM Funeral Liturgy at St Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, Weirton. Burial will follow at St Paul Cemetery, Weirton.
Military graveside services will be conducted by the VFW Firing Squad and the Evert Maki American Legion Post 10 Honor Guard
Memorial contributions can be made to the St Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church or Valley Haven Activities Fund, % Valley Haven Geriatric Home, Beech Bottom, WV 26030
Share tributes with his family at www.grecohertnick.com
Funeral Home:
Greco Hertnick Funeral Home
3219 Main Street
Weirton, WV
US 26062
To the Zdinak Family, Even though we have only known Uncle Mike and Aunt Anne through our friendship with Stanley and Mary Jane, we share your loss and offer you our sympathy. As God blessed them as husband and wife, may he also bless them as they begin their eternal life in Heaven. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
“Mike and Anne, Anne and Mike,” those two names were so often mentioned together in the course of our lives. It is most fitting that God has smiled upon both of them at this time to take them to Himself, “Anne and Mike, Mike and Anne.” After sixty-four years together in this world, they are now together forever in eternity – “Anne and Mike, Mike and Anne.” I am not able to come to Weirton at this time; however, my thought and prayers remain with you all – my cousins that span three generations. I shall never forget all the generosity of your parents over the years. If there was a graduation party, a wedding or some other event – Anne and Mike’s delicacies were there as a nurturing gift for the festivities. Moreover, they were also gracious in sharing the green too! Earthy wisdom and shooting it straight from the hip was Aunt Anne’s style. We all learned a thing or two about more than a thing or two in life from her!!! Uncle Mike had the ability to delve deeper into the soul of each of us. His individuated concern for each of us on a personal level was keenly felt. He had a deep mystical spirituality that could only be rivaled by his father – Mike Zdinak, Sr. Don’t know if many know of this, but Uncle Mike had shared with me how he quite seriously struggled in discernment over a vocation to the ordained priesthood. Somehow Aunt Anne won out – go figure!!! Even though ordination never came to fruition for Uncle Mike, I always marveled at his awestruck humility whenever he was privileged to hold the Tri-fold Candle during the Gospel at Divine Liturgy. In my heart of hearts I knew all things came together for him in those moments. He knew and lived the Gospels. For better or worse sixty-four years is an amazing time in this day and age. The power of God’s grace kept Anne and Mike alive – through illness, caregiving and generosity. I know that my life has been richer for having had the pleasure of these two individuals presence. To have lived and grown in Weirton was to have a holiday visit to McKinley Street where our palates were cultured by Aunt Anne’s latest creations. Everyone knows that if you didn’t try whatever it was there would be hell to pay for having insulted her gracious spread. Each feast became an endeavor of creative openness in addition to the mainstays of Paska, Holubki, Pierogi, Chicken, Ham and the like. No mater what – God forgive me – I never did acquire a taste for the spaghetti pizza! I don’t know if I will ever encounter it again, but if I do, I know that I will say to myself: “Anne and Mike, Mike and Anne!” Eternal Memories and Blessed Repose be upon them forever!
Patti, Karen and Mickey, where would someone begin to tell about your parents. They were so much in love with each other, their family, and God. They always had a smile and open arms for everyone they greeted. Holidays, now there was special times, i never seen or ate so much food, like we did in one house, and no matter what, you could not stop, Aunt Anne was always making something new and old, and no matter what, you had to least try it. Uncle Mike, was always behind the bar, giving drinks to everyone, making sure they had enough. They both knew how to light up a room. They were together in life and now together in death. That proves how strong the bond of love is. Well we have the fondest memories, of them, We are so happy to be part of this loving family. God Bless them both. Mike, Dee, Megan and Madison Sabol,
Zedo, I still hear you say “Hello there!” and I know you are with me everyday. I miss you so much and am so grateful for the time that we had together the last few months that you were with us. I am glad that I was able to make you that yellow cake with chocolate icing! You wanted a BIG piece even after it was all gone. I am so grateful that I had a chance to see you before you went to be with Babi. I know you knew I was there the second you looked into my eyes… that was all you had to say, but I had to say good-bye. I miss you and love you.