Martin Gerald Joseph Hornek

Martin Gerald Joseph Hornek, age 94, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2025.
Born in Louisville to the late John Sylvester Hornek and Marie Christine (Hohmann) Hornek, Marty was one of six siblings. He is preceded in death by Mary Louise Scannell, Betty Rose Hawes, John Hornek, and Robert Hornek, and is survived by his brother Norbert Hornek. He was also preceded in death by his great-grandson, Gabriel Lorenz.
Marty graduated from St. Xavier High School, Class of 1949, where he was a proud member of the school's first state championship swim team. He later received a Bachelor's Degree from Eastern Kentucky University.
He proudly served in the United States Air Force, stationed in England during the Korean War. After his military service, Marty dedicated 31 years to the Jefferson County Police Department, including serving as Deputy Chief in the Chief Butch Helm
administration and later retiring in 1988 with the rank of Major while in Chief Bobby Crouch's administration. He played a significant role in obtaining the Southfields Police Training Center and was Commander of the Underwater Search and Recovery Unit. He
served in various units and districts throughout his career. Marty was a founding member of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 14.
Marty also served as President of the Jefferson County Unit of the American Cancer Society for 10 years, and was one of the originators of the Stop Smoking Campaign, reflecting his dedication to public health and community well-being.
He was a devoted husband to Mary Ellen Higgins Hornek, with whom he celebrated 73 years of marriage this past September. Together, they raised seven children: Shirley Fleitz (Ron), Joe Hornek (Mary), Rick Hornek (Kelly), Linda Lanham (Greg), Larry
Hornek (Janet), Mary Beth Rother, and Paul Hornek (Trindy). He was a proud grandfather to 16 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought him immense joy.
Above all, Marty deeply loved his family. His greatest pride came from watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow. He cherished every moment spent with them, and his warmth, humor, and wisdom will be remembered by all who knew him.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 9, beginning at 10:00 AM at St. Albert the Great Church, followed by a Funeral Mass at 12 noon. Private burial will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Piarist School in Hager Hill, KY at http://www.piaristschool.org, a cause close to Marty's heart.