John A. Strizak

John A. Strizak, age 73, left us on July 17, 2013. He was greeted with open arms by his late wife, Betty Strizak at the gates of heaven.

Born May 8, 1940 in Stewartsville, Ohio, John was an avid OSU football fan. He enjoyed watching every football game on his big screen TV. When he wasn’t watching them play, he was always supporting them with his OSU apparel. John took pleasure in playing hide and seek with his special four-legged friend, Daisy. John donated his services year after year to help bring cheer to children’s hearts by being Santa at his daughter’s child care facilities. On top of spreading joy he enjoyed fishing, shopping, and on a hot summers day, eating fresh cut watermelon.

John started his career at Goodyear with his father at a young age. He was then drafted to serve our country during the Vietnam War in 1966 as SP#4 Military Police, and was assigned to a Navy Seal unit in the Mekong Delta. After retiring from the military in 1971, he returned to Goodyear and finished his career there before retiring in 1983.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; and his parents, John and Dawn Strizak and Mary Jane Moravec. John is survived by his children, John (Kim) Strizak, Rhonda Moffatt (Joe Viscomi), William Mansell, James (Tiffanie) Strizak and Crystal Kopocs (Kevin Miller); grandchildren, Jonathan, Cory, Michael, John, Nate, Crystal, Chris and Nikki; great-grandchildren, Bradley, Malachi, Ariana and Coraline; brothers, Donald, and Dr. Robert (Linda) Cueni; sister, Donna Brown; caretaker and family friend, Kimmie Collins; and great friends, Vern and Robin Newman. John was loved by all and will be greatly missed! The family would like to express special thanks to everyone for all their love and support during these last few years of John’s life.

Donations may be made in John’s name to the Deyarmin Foundation (a 501c3 charitable organization), 488 N. Munroe Road, Tallmadge, OH 44278. This foundation helps disabled American veterans, and John never missed a fundraising event. He loved everything that they stand for and always knew his donations were going to a great cause.

Funeral service will be Monday, 1 p.m. at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Road, Akron, Ohio 44312, with Rev. Fleary Spurlock officiating. Entombment will follow at Hillside Memorial Park, where military rites will be conducted by Mogadore VFW Post 8487. Friends will be received from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.