Joseph Straka, 94, of Dublin, passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at his home. As a member of the hole-in-one club, if Joe wasn't golfing he was likely watching it. His luck ran deep when it came to playing cards. He loved music and collecting music, especially from the Big Band era. He cooked the world's most perfect bacon and eggs, never missed the opportunity for a good Danish, and was a master at BBQ'ing. Mostly, Joe valued the time he spent with his children and grandchildren, teaching , sharing his advice and relaying stories from his life, especially stories from his days in the Marines and WWII.
He was born in Lakewood, Ohio on October 24, 1919, the youngest son of the late Mike and Mary (Roskos) Straka. He was also preceded in death by 2 sisters, Ann Straka Freitag, Mary Straka Vedder and 2 brothers, Michael Straka and John Straka.
On April 15, 1950 in DeGraff, Ohio, he married the former Lucy Ann Wolfe and she survives along with daughters, Mary Ann (Patrick) Straka Schrote of Seattle, Washington, Joann (Mark) Straka Rosenberg of Dublin, Ohio; son, James (Hilarie) Straka of Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren, Mallory (Matthew) Straka Cohen of Atlanta, Georgia; Benjamin (Jenna ) Rosenberg of Chicago, Illinois, M. Sean Rosenberg of Nashville, Tennessee, Spencer Schrote and Rachel Schrote both of Seattle, Washington; and his niece, Marilyn (Stan) Vedder DeMoor of Cleveland, Ohio.
Joe attended Lakewood High School, Western Reserve University, and Baldwin Wallace College, and served in the Marines. He was a member of John Knox Church, North Olmstead, Ohio, a Mason in Rocky River, Ohio and a member of the American Legion and Shriners-Al Koran. Joe loved his family, his work, golf, card games, music, a good joke, sports in general, and travel, including many years vacationing in Myrtle Beach, SC.
A celebration of Joe's life will be held at the Dublin Retirement Village, 6470 Post Road, Dublin, Ohio 43016 at 11am on Saturday, November 30th.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund, c/o HCR Manor Care Foundation, 333 North Summit Street, Toledo, Ohio 43699-0086 or The First Tee of Central Ohio (a youth golf education organization) 7309 East Livingston Avenue, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of Rexer-Riggin-Madden Funeral Home, DeGraff, Ohio