Mike Sinder

Mike Sinder

Mike Sinder, 83, of Ravenna, passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at Akron General Medical Center.

He was born May 30, 1925 in Kent, Ohio to the late Joseph and Mary (Rebic) Sinder. Drafted at age 18, he chose the Marines. Mike was most proud of being a Marine. As a World War II veteran, he served three years as a combat marine with the Second Marine Division, Sixth Marines during World War II. He saw action on Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. He was one of the first Marines to enter Nagasaki, Japan after the second atomic bomb was dropped and was honorably discharged in 1946. He had lived in Ravenna since 1947 and as a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ravenna, a 50 year member of the Ravenna Moose and a lifetime member of the Kent VFW. He was a member of the Chapter Nine Retired Carpenters of Local 639 where he retired after 50 years of service as a superintendent carpenter. He worked and built mostly commercial buildings, schools, libraries, hospitals, banks and office buildings. Having a love of his BMW Motorcycle, he was a charter member of the Akron BMW Motorcycle Club. He rode his motorcycle until the age of 81 where he made trips to Florida, Texas, New York, the Carolinas and five trips to Mexico. Mike wasn't a fan of watching sports, but more of being involved in sports, playing fast pitch softball until the age of 51, being an avid golfer, bowler and was very active in judo, karate, water and snow skiing. Mike was a part owner of Judo and Karate Club in Kent where he taught young boys.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Norma (Allen) Sinder whom he married July 6, 1957; daughters, Cheryl (Charles) Dustman of Edinburg, Deborah Sinder of Cleveland, Diane (John) Metzger of Kidron, Ohio, Denise (Raymond) Hughes of Rootstown, Mikelann (Tony) Wendlandt of Akron; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Regina Sinder; sister, Ann Yarolin; and brothers, William and Adam Sinder.

Calling hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2009, at the Shorts-Spicer-Crislip Funeral Homes and from 10 a.m. until time of funeral services at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ravenna, with Pastor Robert White officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Ravenna, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 170 N. Freedom St., Ravenna, Ohio or the Portage County APL, 8122 Infirmary Rd., Ravenna, Ohio 44266.