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Arnold Chonko Obituary
1957 - 2018
Arnold "Arnie" T. Chonko, passed away unexpectedly May 18, 2018, at his home in Dublin, Ohio. Arnie, age 60, was born in Athens, OH, where he grew up with a loving family rooted in faith and excelled in both academics and sports. He enrolled at Ohio University before transferring to The Ohio State University where he played baseball for the Buckeyes and graduated with a business degree in 1980. He earned his MBA at the University of Pittsburgh in 1986. He spent his work life as Vice President of Human Resources for Columbia Gas and Worthington Industries and most recently as HR Director of Harris Products Group in Mason, OH. He served his community as a Board Member for the American Red Cross of Central Ohio, The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business Alumni Board, and The Ohio State University Pace Setters. Married to his wife Nancy for 36 years, together they raised three wonderful girls, Nadine, Lia, and Kylie. Arnie was a loving and kind man who was a life-long learner who found simple pleasure in experiencing new things. He was a proud supporter of his Ohio sports teams the Buckeyes, Cavs and Reds. He dedicated himself to his work, supporting his wife and daughters in their passions and achievements, and was an active member of St. Brigid of Kildare Church. His most recent joy came from his three grandchildren Kellan, McKenna and Parker whom he loved deeply. Arnie is preceded in death by his father Andrew, and survived by his wife, Nancy; daughters, Nadine (Robbie), Lia (David), Kylie (Alex); his mother, Anne Marie; brothers, Andy and Art (Carla); and an extended family and community that will miss him greatly. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 24, from 6-8 p.m. at Rutherford Funeral Home, 450 W. Olentangy Street, Powell, OH. A private funeral service for his family will be held at his home church in Athens, OH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Red Cross of Central Ohio.
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Memories and Condolences
for Arnold Chonko
Sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.
danny lee
May 31, 2022
Gone way to soon.
Danny Lee
May 17, 2020
Thinking of Arnie on this date and thinking of all he accomplished in his short but fulfilling life. I knew him briefly when I played in the Plain Dealer TRIPLE A LEAGUE for J Schrader and Wenham trucker teams. Teammates in luded Steve Stone, Mike Easler, Steve Huntz,and Jimmy Redmon a teammate at West Tech High and Dick Globakar who beat me out for the batting title the last day of the season in 1971 or 72. I later became G.M. of the CLEVELAND NETS IN World Team Tennis. Players in luded Bjorn org and Martina Navratilova and Vitas Geraulitas. As I said Arnie hit the LONGEST HOME RUN I had ever seen at Diamond #one at Edgewater Park and I have played with some greats. RIP Arnie and best to the Chonko Family and loved ones. Danny Lee, Sun City Az.
Danny Lee
January 14, 2019
To the Arnie Chonko family, I saw the longest home run I ever saw hit at Edgewater park in Cleveland that Arnie hit while I was playing a PD AAA game against his team. RIP Arnie and condolences to the family. Danny Lee Sun City Az.
Amy Davis Aho
June 3, 2018
Art, I am so sorry to hear of your brother's passing. May God bless you all.
Jon McBride
May 29, 2018
I grew up in Arnie's hometown, Athens OH. I had opportunity to be a high school and legion teammate of both Arnie and his brother, Andy. The Chonko family name was synonymous with enjoying and excelling in sports competition. So sorry to hear of Arnie's unexpected passing but very pleased to have known the family.
May 28, 2018
I'll never forget what an inspirational leader he was during the time I shared with him at Columbia Gas. It seemed he always had a smile on his face--such a positive person! So sad to hear of his passing. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the family. Carol Wintz-Kee
Jack and Anne Partridge
May 28, 2018
Anne and i are shocked and saddened to hear about this. In his HR leadership role at Columbia gas, Arnie helped thousands of people.Our thoughts and prayers to Nancy and Arnie's beautiful family! Jack and Anne Partridge.
May 27, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of your loss.
Mike and Anita Hessenauer
Louis Flum
May 26, 2018
You were a great guy Arnie - it was a privilege to know you.
Faye Miles
May 25, 2018
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Cathy Blackford (Farley)
May 24, 2018
I have so many fond memories of Arnie. He was a childhood friend and classmate and a member of my church. I always thought he was a class A guy. So sorry to hear of his death. May he rest in eternal peace. Prayers to his family. We will all miss you Arnie.
Mary Wissel
May 24, 2018
I was so saddened to hear of the loss of Arnie, and wanted to express my deepest sympathy to his dear wife and family.
I knew Arnie through his service on the Board of the American Red Cross. He was always so kind, thoughtful and generous. He made a wonderful impression on everyone who knew him, and he was always willing and ready to contribute in anyway he could to the lifesaving mission of helping others in need.
He was a gentle and goodhearted soul, and will be tremendously missed by all who knew and loved him in the community.
I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers through this very difficult time of great loss.
Philippe Apostolides
May 24, 2018
I am so sorry for the loss of Arnie.
He was a great professional but most of everything a great person, an humble leader.
I used to work with Arnie for some years at Lincoln and really appreciated our disucssion I do have a lot of respect for him as a professional and as a person.
We had some good fun together and that s what I will recall from Arnie.
My deepest condolences to his whole family, my thoughts and prayers are with you
Bill Greer
May 24, 2018
Arnie and I were both in the graduating class of 1976 at Athens High School. We shared classes together and played on many of the same sports teams throughout our middle and high school years. He was a tremendous athlete, a brilliant student and a generous and caring human being. I am happy to have many great memories of our times together, and proud to have called him my friend. I'm shocked and saddened by this unexpected and sudden loss - and my thoughts and condolences go out to his lovely family. I'm so saddened by this, but heartened by a life well lived. God Bless you AC!
Tina McGillivray
May 24, 2018
Your presence will be missed - godspeed and prayers for your family.
Carlita Wickline-Saunders
May 23, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. So sorry for your loss.
Neil and Patty Madsen
May 23, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very difficult time.
Steve Hensler
May 23, 2018
Words do no justice for what he inspired in me. He made the world around him smile. He made me a better person. I will miss him dearly. Love to all,
Steve Hensler
May 23, 2018
Thoughts and prayers to Arnie's family. Arnie and I were colleagues in HR. May Arnie rest in peace and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Joy Lagunzad Kouns Lewis
Bernie Dorr
May 23, 2018
My thoughts and prayers go out to Arnie's family. I know he will be missed. He was such a gentle soul.
Missy Seifert
May 23, 2018
I am so very sorry for the loss of this man. I have worked with him and looked forward to our Thursday Joke days for as long as we have worked together. I will never look at jokes without thinking of this wonderful man!
Marsha McDonald
May 23, 2018
Sending my heartfelt deepest sympathies at this difficult time of unexpected loss of someone so special and significant in all of your lives. May each lasting memory of all you shared ease your pain and bring comfort to your hearts.
May 22, 2018
So very sorry for your loss. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Rob and Jill Goodwin
May 22, 2018
Many memories. Blessings to the family. Melody Sands
Todd Ellwood
May 22, 2018
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Arnie was a tremendous guy....always so friendly and kind to everyone around him.
Joyce Vander Werff
May 22, 2018
My deepest sympathy to Arnie's family. He was such a wonderful man. May God be with you and may the comfort of close friends ease your sorrow.
(I was a high school friend of Arnie's... he helped me ace chemistry!)
Tuesdee Sharpe
May 22, 2018
My deepest condolences to you for such a great guy!
Chris Copper
May 22, 2018
Arnie was a remarkable leader with the Biomedical American Red Cross Central Ohio Board and the Donor Services Committee. His work impacted thousands of patients lives and transformed the organization during a time of tremendous growth. Prayers to his family during this difficult time.
Chris Copper
May 22, 2018
Arnie was a key leader with the Central Ohio Biomedical Services Board and Donor Services Committee. His finger prints remain a part of the organization, with thousands of lives saved through his efforts. Prayers for his family during this most difficult time.
Joyce Guenther
May 22, 2018
I knew Arnie from his time on the American Red Cross board. He was a servant leader and spoke so often about his family. He was always ready to jump in and help others and I really enjoyed working with him. He will be greatly missed. Prayers to his dear family and friends.
Eileen Downey Leuby
May 22, 2018
So very sorry to hear, he was a very humble leader. He will be deeply missed and his memories will be cherished by all that had the great pleasure to know him.
Alison Cohn Jameson
May 22, 2018
Arnie was such a kind person. My deepest condolences to his family in this time of loss.
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Rutherford Funeral Home at Powell450 West Olentangy Street, Powell, OH 43065
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