Michael Kotnik's Obituary
Michael Kotnik Obituary
Michael KotnikMichael Kotnik, 95, of Elyria, passed away October 3, 2018 at home surrounded by his family. He was born September 28, 1923 the youngest of seven children, on a seven-acre farm in Avella, Pennsylvania, and was a 1942 graduate of Independence Township High School. Mike met Dorothy Selzer in 1941, while they were both visiting their sisters who lived in the same apartment building in Elyria. During World War II, he served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946 in Company A, 661st Tank Destroyer Battalion as a Gun Commander. Following his honorable discharge, he married Dorothy September 28, 1946 at First United Methodist Church in Elyria. In 1947, Mike began his career as a Tool and Die Maker Apprentice and Press Operator with Fisher Body General Motors in Elyria, he was promoted three times before retiring as a Senior Manufacturing Engineer in December 1981 with 35 years of service. Mike was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church serving as a trustee, and an usher for 50 years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and served as a Cub Scout Leader and PTA President. He enjoyed many hobbies throughout his years, including gardening, hiking, fishing, golfing, bowling, horseshoe pitching, playing cards, and woodworking-- just to name a few. Mike and Dorothy enjoyed traveling throughout their whole marriage-- from their honeymoon at Niagara Falls, to cross country trips with their children, to cruises with friends in their retirement years. They always made sure to take a couple of vacations each year to make special memories with loved ones. Mike was able to visit 49 of the 50 states with the help of his truck driving son-in-law, Chad, whom he rode with on occasion to see states he had not been to yet.Over the years he shared multitudes of vegetables, fruits, and flowers, which he grew in his immaculate garden, with family, friends, and neighbors. He stored his tractor and tools in his signature red barn that he designed and built himself, behind the flower-lined white picket fence in his backyard. Always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone with big projects or small ones, he added his creativity and ingenuity to each task he tackled. He loved fellowship with others, whether it be family, friends, church family, neighbors or co-workers; he created happy memories of special times spent together. Mike believed in always looking on the bright-side of every situation and found the good in every person he met. Mike loved life and lived it to the fullest, right to the end, and he embodied the scripture passage, Psalm 118:24, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”Michael is survived by his son, John (Diana) Kotnik of Groveport, Ohio; daughters, Barbara (Chad) Hook of Amherst, Ohio and Connie (Joe) Smart of Chillicothe, Ohio; grandchildren, Laura (Daniel) Hook-Woods, Tonia (Brandon) Bussey, Amanda (David) Cordle, Bradley Kotnik, Lanie (Mike) Sipes, and Michael (Paige) Smart; great-grandchildren, Zoey, Aubrey and Brady Cordle, Maelee and Everly Smart, and Kaylin May Bussey; sister, Jean Narquini of Bradenton, Florida.He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Dorothy “his Dottie” May Kotnik; son, Clifford Allen Kotnik; infant daughter, Mary Ann Kotnik; infant great-grandson, Robert Michael Bussey; parents, Mike and Mary Kotnik; three brothers and two sisters.A Celebration of Mike’s Life will be Sunday, October 21, 2018 at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, 312 Third Street, Elyria, Ohio 44035, (440) 322-6622, with The Reverend W. Kent Joy officiating. A time of fellowship and dinner will follow in Fellowship Hall, where friends will be received. Interment will be Monday October 22, 2018 at 11:00 AM in Brookdale Cemetery, Elyria where Elyria VFW # 1079 will present military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, or The Salvation Army, 716 Broad Street, Elyria, Ohio 44035. Arrangements are in the care of Dicken Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Elyria. SERVICES Memorial Service Sunday, October 21, 2018 2:00 PM First United Methodist Church 312 Third St. Elyria, OH 44035 Graveside Service Monday, October 22, 2018 11:00 AM Brookdale Cemetery 41600 Oberlin Elyria Road Elyria, OH 44035
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Michael Kotnik, please visit our floral store.
Read More
What’s your fondest memory of Michael?
What’s a lesson you learned from Michael?
Share a story where Michael's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Michael you’ll never forget.
How did Michael make you smile?