Thomas J. "Tom" Cehelnik

Thomas J. "Tom" Cehelnik, age 79, of Marion, died peacefully on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at "Tranquility on the Mountain" in Kennesaw, GA, with his loving family by his side following a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
On March 16, 1944, Tom was born in Portage, Pennsylvania, the eldest of three children of the late Joseph E. and Mildred L. (Barnas) Cehelnik. He was raised in Portage, where he graduated from Portage Area High School in the class of 1962. He furthered his education at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a minor in Mathematics in 1966.
Shortly after finishing college, Tom enlisted to serve his beloved country in the US Air Force. He served on active duty from 1967 – 1971 and earned the rank of E5 Staff Sergeant. He was stationed in both Korea and Japan.
While on leave, Tom returned home to marry his high school sweetheart, Ruth Elizabeth Richardson, on January 14, 1967 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Portage, Pennsylvania. Together they shared 53 years of marriage and raised two children: Amy & Michael. Ruth preceded Tom in death on May 10, 2020.
Upon Tom's honorable discharge, Tom and Ruth moved to Marion, Ohio, for a job at the GTE Corporation as a special service telephone engineer. He dedicated 32 years to GTE, which later merged with Verizon. While at Verizon, he earned his Master's degree in Business Administration from Ashland University in 1998. After his retirement from Verizon in 2002, he worked an additional 10 years for Tri-Rivers Career Center as a Math and Science substitute teacher and tutor.
Very faithful, Tom and Ruth were active members of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marion for more than 50 years. Both their children attended St. Mary's and then Marion Catholic High School. Throughout the years, Tom and Ruth accepted many volunteer positions and helped St. Mary's however they could. Tom also volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul to help those in need and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
With a love for fishing, Tom enjoyed casting a line anywhere he could, but he was happiest when he was fishing with his brother and son-in-law in Potter County in Pennsylvania. He was a member of the NEOTA, Northeast Ohio Trout Anglers. He enjoyed gardening with Ruth, tinkering in the garage on cars, fixing things around the house, and traveling with Ruth throughout Europe and the United States. Tom also had a love for football that extended beyond watching it on television. For many years he enjoyed working as a football official, refereeing local junior high and high school football games. One of Tom's proudest achievements was getting his pilot's license and flying a Cessna around Marion.
Tom was a great person. He will be remembered as a man who was dedicated, loyal, generous, and kind. He was always ready and willing to help anyone who needed it.
Left to cherish his memory are his two children: Amy (Pete) Snyder of Atlanta, GA, and Michael Cehelnik of Columbus, OH; two grandchildren: Madelyn and Lindsey Snyder; two siblings: Loretta (John) Dzurenko of Aston, PA, and Edwin (Lesley) Cehelnik of Jensen Beach, FL.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, April 6, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 251 North Main St., Marion at 11 AM. His family will greet friends for 30 minutes prior to his services at the church. Burial with military honors provided by the Marion County United Veterans Council will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.
If so desired, donations may be made to the Retirement Fund for Religious at the National Religious Retirement Office P.O. Box 96988 Washington DC 20090-6988 (https://retiredreligious.org/ways-to-give/donate/).
On behalf of Tom's family, they would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank You" to all his Marion friends and neighbors who kept an eye on him after Ruth passed away. They owe a great deal of appreciation to Ray and Julie Pallares for all the years of friendship and support to both Tom and Ruth. They were sent by heaven when they moved in next door.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Marion are honored to serve Tom's family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.