Viola A. Mergenhagen, 79, Enjoyed playing pinochle

She was born July 31, 1936 in Lorain and had been a lifelong Sheffield Village area resident.

Viola graduated from Lorain High School in 1954. She worked as an operator at the Lorain Telephone Company, as a cook and server for Novotny Catering and as a security officer for Burns International Security Agency in Cleveland before retiring.

Viola was a member of UH Avon Health & Fitness Center. She enjoyed playing pinochle and taught her children and grandchildren how to play. Her father made her an Aggravation board game which she played regularly. She was an avid Cleveland Indians fan and enjoyed bowling and attending Oktoberfest at the Cuyahoga County fairgrounds. Viola was fond of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and was a Warrior Donator for her monthly contributions to them.

She is survived by her son Carl Snezek (Christie) of Suwanee, Georgia; daughter Kathleen Kuhns (Ryan) and Jean Smolka (John), all of Sheffield Lake; grandson Chris Berens who acted as her caregiver during her illness; twin granddaughters Jackie & Elise Snezek, great grandchildren Anthony & Ava Jean Wodzisz; nephews John Hunyad (Pam) and David Hunyad and niece Barb Hunyad, all of Lorain. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul Mergenhagen, parents John & Ann Hunyad (nee Milovich), brother Louis “Sonny” Hunyad and sister-in-law Barb Hunyad.

Viola’s wishes were to be cremated. A celebration of her life will be held on her 80th birthday, July 31, 2016 at her home. Contact her children for additional information.

Arrangements are under the direction of Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave, Lorain.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105. www.stjude.org.

Online condolences can be made at www.gluvna.net.