Joseph A. Misencik, 82, of Avon and formerly of Lakewood, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at St. John Medical Center, Westlake, from complications of a stroke. Joe was born June 10, 1936 in Cleveland, to the late Joseph B. and Lucy M. (nee Zvolencak) Misencik.

 

He was a 1954 graduate of St. Edward High School, Lakewood. He attended St. Edward University, Austin, Texas and completed his education at the former Fenn College, Cleveland. In 1965 Joe became a licensed funeral director, worked together with his father until his death in 1967 and continued to own and operate the Joseph Misencik Funeral Home in Lakewood.  In 1982 Joe along with his wife, Marilyn purchased the Garland Funeral Home, Amherst, now the Garland-Misencik Funeral Home and in 1996 they built the Misencik Funeral Home, Avon. The Misencik family has served families for four generations, which had eight funeral directors within the family.

 

In his younger years, Joe was a ham radio operator with the call letters "W8NLX". In 1969, he received a private pilot license. Throughout his life he enjoyed traveling, especially to Canada, Florida and Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Joe was past president of the Cuyahoga Funeral Directors Association, past grand knight of Knights of Columbus Council 4891, Amherst, a current member of Knights of Columbus Father Ragen Council 3269, Avon and Assembly 811 of Knights of Columbus and the Civil Air Patrol of Lorain County.

 

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Marilyn T. (nee Hricovec); their children, Mary Misencik Andras, Joseph M. (Christine) Misencik, Lucy A. (Bill) Greaney, Anita M. Misencik; grandchildren, Ben (Kelly Colbert) Burik, Katy (Mike) Foutz, Jennifer, Jacqueline and Julia Misencik, Lucy, Mary and Gregory Greaney, Nicholas, Theresa, Noah Smirz; great-grandchildren, Hayden, Samantha and Jacob Foutz; sisters, Rose M. Mayton of Pittsburgh and Anne J. Dancik of Amherst; sisters-in-law, Dorothy and Connie Hricovec, both of Avon and many nieces and nephews.

 

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his sisters, Gertrude M. Sinchak, Agnes M. Chinchar and Sr. Therese Misencik SBS. Family will receive friends Friday, December 21, 2018 from 2 to 9 P.M., at the Misencik Funeral Home, 36363 Detroit Road, Avon. Closing prayers will be at 9 A.M., Saturday, December 22, 2018 at the funeral home followed by a 10 A.M., Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2640 Stoney Ridge Road, Avon. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Avon.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105 or stjude.org