John E. Opalenik, 77, Loved carpentry work, remodeling, and was an avid gardener.

John was born on June 28, 1937 and was a lifetime resident of Sheffield Township.

He attended Clearview High School and married his high school sweetheart, Caroline June Krutch. They married after graduation. John, along with his brother, George, built John’s family home on his father’s property, where they resided along with John and Carole’s three children. The family lived beside John’s father, Michael Opalenik, and his brother George along with his family.

At age 29, John’s wife Carole passed away from a rare illness. John raised his children along with his sister Helen until he married Delores R. Opalenik (Kucirek). They were married 44 years and had one daughter. John’s second wife, Delores, died August 24, 2013 after an extended illness.

John was employed at Lorain Products/Reliance Electric for 42 years as an inspector. He loved carpentry work, remodeling, and was an avid gardener. John was an active member of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church. He ran bingo at the church for 25 years. John was the president of the G.C.U. Lodge #77 for 25 years. He was a delegate to many G.C.U. Conventions throughout the United States. John was also a member of the St. Nicholas Holy Name Society and bowler for the A.R.S. 74 Men’s bowling league for G.C.U. members.

Survivors include John’s daughter Victoria McCann, his daughter Patricia (Michael) Hjerpe, his son John R. (Anita) Opalenik, all of Sheffield Township, and daughter Katherine (Thomas) Knick of Amherst. Additional survivors include eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his parents Michael and Helen (Lute) Opalenik, two brothers, George and Michael, and sister Helen, his first wife Caroline (Krutch) and second wife Delores (Kucierk).

A rosary will be recited by members of the St. Nicholas Holy Name Society on Thursday at 3:30 PM in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain. A Parastas service will be conducted at 4:00 p.m. Visitation will continue immediately following the services until 8:00 p.m. Panachida services will begin Friday at 9:30 AM in the funeral chapel; the Divine Liturgy will follow at 10:00 a.m. in St. Nicholas Byzantine Rite Catholic Church, 2711 W. 40th St., Lorain. The Very Reverend Nicholas R.A. Rachford, J.C.L., pastor of the church, will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

The family encourages memorial contributions to St. Nicholas Byzantine Rite Catholic Church.

To share your memories and condolences with the Opalenik Family, please visit www.gluvna.net.