Emil R. Ihnat

Emil R. Ihnat, 89, of Catawba Island, passed away Saturday, February 7, 2009 at Stein Hospice Care Center, Sandusky, OH. Emil was born on March 30, 1919 in Cleveland, OH to Michael and Veronica Dziak Ihnat and moved to Lakeside, OH in 1923. He attended Lakeside Schools, now known as Danbury Township, graduating in 1937. He was active in football, basketball, track, and was a member of the Danbury Athletic Hall of Fame. Emil attended Tiffin University in Tiffin, OH, graduating in 1939. Emil holds the Ohio state record for low hurdles in high school track and field that still holds today. He worked as an accountant at the Erie Proving Ground, LaCarne, OH, before and after World War II. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in June of 1941 and assigned to the 78th Infantry training at Fort Benning, GA, in 1942. From there he was assigned to the 78th Infantry Division as a 2nd Lieutenant and served with that division in the European Operations of World War II. After his return from Europe he left active duty as a Major in 1946. Emil worked as an accountant and auditor with New Departure-Hyatt, division of General Motors until he retired in 1983 after 37 years of service. Emil married Margaret Dulweber and she passed away in 1956. Emil later remarried Nancy M. Mollica on May 5, 1962 in West Hartford, CT. He was a member of St. Marys Byzantine Catholic Church, Marblehead, OH. He was also a member of the Port Clinton Elks Lodge #1718 and the V.F.W. Stanley Jadwisiak Post #7572. Emil was also a member of the Catawba Island Club and enjoyed golfing. Survivors include: Wife: Nancy M. Ihnat of Catawba Island; Daughter: Trish Ted Brunner of Oceanside, CA; Son: Michael Barb Ihnat of Tuttle, OK; Grandchildren: Sara Brunner, Richard Brunner, Megan Brunner, Austin Ihnat, and Evan Ihnat; Sister: Lucille Benya of Lakeside-Marblehead, OH. Emil was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Veronica Dziak Ihnat and first wife, Margaret Dulweber. Office of Christian Burial with Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Thursday, February 12, 2009 at St. Marys Byzantine Catholic Church, Marblehead, OH, where the body will lie in state 1 hour prior to the service. Visitation will be from 6-8 PM, Wednesday, February 11, 2009, in the Gerner-Wolf-Walker Funeral Home and Crematory, Port Clinton, OH, where Panachida services will be conducted at 7:00 PM. Interment will be in St. Marys Byzantine Cemetery, Marblehead, OH. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given to St. Marys Byzantine Catholic Church, Stein Hospice of Sandusky, OH, or to the American Diabetes Association. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.