John J. Michalak, Jr.

John J. Michalak Jr., 81, of Toledo, died at home on Thursday, May 11, 2017. He was born August 4, 1935 to the late John and Celia Michalak. He was a loving husband for 57 years to Margaret Mary (Chavalia) Michalak, who survives. John is the wonderful dad of Michelle (Mark Hardesty) Michalak and Michael (Sissy Hunter) Michalak. He is the cherished Papa of Ashlee Michalak, Ryon (Brigid) Michalak, Megan (David) Osterholt and Molly Hardesty (fiancé Brandon Berger). John served in the US Army and played clarinet, saxophone, flute and piccolo in the 50th US Army Band. He worked 23 years for the Toledo Police Department as an Evidence Technician investigating major crimes and was a member of the bomb squad. After retirement from the police department, he joined the staff at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church as the maintenance supervisor. John lived a life of giving and always put God first in his life. He volunteered his time at Ladyfield School, Notre Dame Academy, St. Hedwig’s Alumni Association and St. France de Sales marching band. For many years, John was the chairperson for St. Hedwig’s Lagrange St. Polish Festival. In his retirement years, he volunteered at the Gardner-McMaster Parkinson’s Center at the University of Toledo where he was Volunteer of the Year in 2009. John loved spending time with family and friends. He was a great cook and baker. He enjoyed photography, musicals, travel and his Polish heritage. Memorial Mass and gathering will be on Friday, May 19, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church, 5562 Dorr St., Toledo, Ohio, where the Rosary will be prayed at 10:15 a.m. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. John’s family asks that in lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gardner-McMaster Parkinson’s Center at the University of Toledo in care of Julia Spears https://www.facebook.com/pg/GardnerMcMasterParkinsonCenter/about/?ref=page_internal or Little Sisters of the Poor Oregon, OH. https://littlesistersofthepoornwohio.weshareonline.org/index.aspx