John C. Hornickel

Jack Hornickel peacefully died on July 13, 2016 in Hudson, OH after two months of declining health.

Born in Lakewood, OH to Howard and Elizabeth Hornickel, Jack lived his life in the Cleveland western suburbs, Monongahela, PA, Boardman, OH, and Hudson.

Predeceased by his parents; brother, Robert; and sister, Kathryn, Jack is survived by his wife, Polly; son, John H. (Jill) Hornickel of Medina County, OH; daughter, Anne (Thomas) Yuska of St. Paul, MN; and grandchildren, Jane (Roman) Kazantsev, Jack Hornickel, Paul Yuska, and Ellen Yuska.

After serving in the Army Honor Guard at Arlington National Cemetery during World War II, Jack graduated from Washington & Lee University in 1948 and then worked for 40 years for the General Electric Company in Large Lamp sales, serving the Western PA and Northern Ohio regions. Moving to Hudson in 1969, Jack served his community as a member of Hudson Kiwanis, serving as its Treasurer for many years; as a Republican Precinct Election Day volunteer; and as a member of the Hudson Township Zoning Board of Appeals.

Having majored in history, Jack spent a lifetime exploring historic places such as nearly every Civil War battlefield in the USA, London, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Beijing, Jerusalem, and his ancestors' home village in Germany, visiting more than 40 countries, mostly in retirement.

His interest in music continued throughout his life, especially opera, which he enjoyed in most of the famous opera houses in the world, such as Vienna, Sydney, Milan, New York, and Moscow. Jack was a member of such diverse organizations as Beta Theta Pi fraternity, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Struthers, OH Croquet Club.

Jack received gentle care at Crown Center, Laurel Lake, OH in his final days, and his family are grateful to the nursing staff there.

A Celebration of Life for Jack Hornickel will be held at 4PM on Friday, August 12 at the Redmon Funeral Home located at 3633 Darrow Road (Ohio Route 91) in Stow, Ohio between Graham and Kent Roads. The Service will be officiated by Rev. Richard Clewell of the First Congregational Church of Hudson. Visiting hours from 2PM - 4PM will be held at Redmon Funeral Home preceding the Service. Interment will be the following day in Monongahela, PA.