10/17/2008

William J. Mraz

October 16, 2008

OFDA received word this afternoon that William J. Mraz, 84, Canton/Massillon died Thursday at his home. Mr. Mraz was the father of Ellen Rettig and father-in-law of OFDA Past President Jon Rettig.

Mr. Mraz was born June 30, 1924 in Canton , a son of Charles J. and Marguerite Dowley Mraz and had lived in the Canton/Massillon area all of his life. Bill was a 1951 graduate of Ohio University and an electrical engineer for the Ohio Power Company for 36 years retiring in 1987. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Canton and St. John's Guild. He served in the US Army during World War II and was a member of American Legion Post #44 in Canton.

He is survived by his wife, the former Louise E. Hellstern, whom he married November 29, 1952; his nine children and their spouses, Chuck and Marilyn Mraz of Norcross, GA, Mark Mraz of Boston, MA, Stephen Mraz of Cleveland, Ellen and Jon Rettig, Sr. of East Palestine, Andrea and Mark Byrd of Canton, Christopher and Louise Mraz of Newark, Marianne and Fred Barbaro of Beavercreek, Regina and Jeff Russell of Canal Fulton and Monica and Mike Zernic of Highland Heights; a sister, Sister Remigia Mraz IHM of Monroe MI; nineteen grandchildren, Charlie (Kelly) Mraz, Jason (Kelly) Mraz, Ashley (Charlie) Brokovich, Jon Jr., Joshua, Joseph (Amanda) and Jean Rettig, Jared, Lauren and Evan Byrd, Billy, Sarah, Danny, Andy and Rebecca Barbaro, Emily and Anderson Russell and Mikayla and Max Zernic; and a great grandson, Charles J. Mraz IV (Chip). He was preceded in death by his brother, Lawrence A. Mraz.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Canton with Reverend Ronald Klingler as celebrant. Internment will follow in Calvary Cemetery with military honors. Friends will be received from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the Lamiell Funeral Home, 1353 Cleveland Ave N.W. Canton, OH 44703. St. John's Guild will conduct a prayer service at 1:45 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Material tributes may be made to Mercy Medical Center Hospice, 7568 Whipple Ave. N.W. North Canton, OH 44720 or St. John's Restoration Fund, 627 McKinley Avenue N.W. Canton, OH 44703.

Sign the guest register and send condolences to the family at www.familycareservices.com.