Richard V. Straka

Richard V. Straka

Richard V. Straka, 65, of Wellsville, who for many years lived in Akron, Ohio, passed away on Friday, June 18, 2004, at his sister's residence, with his family at his side.

He was born Nov. 13, 1938, in Toronto, the son of the late Albert and Margaret (Kilmartin) Straka.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by brothers, Albert and James of Toronto, Ohio, Charles of Steubenville, Ohio, and Bernard of Los Ange les, Calif. He is survived by brothers, Paul and wife, De lores, of Toronto, Ohio, William "Bucky" and wife, Mary Cather ine, of Las Vegas, Nev.; and sister, Mary Theresa Robinson, of Wellsville, Ohio, with whom he resided.

After graduation from Catho lic Central High School, he joined the U.S. Army and spent two years in France and Germa ny. After the Army he worked at TMCA in Toronto and then de cided to attend Kent State University, where he earned his bachelor's and masters's de grees in education. He taught in the Barberton City School Sys tem until retirement in 1997. He taught on the middle-, jun ior-high, and high-school levels. Many of his summers were spent doing volunteer teaching at a camp for special-needs children.

Funeral arrangements by the Clarke Funeral Home, 302 Main St., Toronto (740-537- 1234/800-588-1446). There will be no visiting hours at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to either St. Francis Roman Cath olic Church, 1225 N. River Ave., Toronto, Ohio 43964, or Valley Hospice, 1 Ross Park, Steubenville, Ohio 43952. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 21, 2004, at the Clarke Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the Toronto Union Cemetery.