MANSFIELD: Positive attitude, magnetic persona, and a healthy sense of humor all combined to give Tony Koroknay enough personality for two people. To know Tony was to know a man who approached every endeavor with passion and vigor. He didn’t just grow a garden – Tony grew stellar tomatoes! He didn’t just brew beer – Tony brewed delicious ale! And he didn’t just whittle – Tony carved stunning wood pieces.
The Lord was merciful to Tony, as He called him to Himself Thursday, June 20, 2024 from his daughter’s rural Butler home – surrounded by his loving family. He was 97.
Born Anthony David Koroknay, the seventh child born to Alexander Daniel and Elizabeth (Reiser) Koroknay, Tony was graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1945. He promptly entered the U.S. Army, and served in Berlin, Germany.
Tony worked in the carpenter shop and in maintenance with the GM plant in Ontario nearly 20 years, retiring in 1993.
An avid golfer, Tony had five holes-in-one – on three different courses – and a double eagle! A classic car aficionado, he restored a 1954 light tan Cadillac Deluxe convertible, it was his dream machine – his favorite of the other classic cars in his collection over the years.
Tony believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, and attended the Apostolic Christian Church on Middle Bellville Road. He served ten years on Mansfield City Council representing the second ward.
Active in the Woodcarvers Club, he was famous for his walking sticks, furniture, birdhouses, and wooden ducks. When Tony began a craft, his full fervor and enthusiasm resulted in a fine finished product.
Tony’s sense of humor was larger than life. His “Tony-isms” and made-up words brightened your day and injected an episode of fun in every encounter. He never met a stranger. His intentional positive humor and candor was charismatic.
He is survived by daughters Elizabeth “Liz” (Mike) Martin of Macedonia, Mitzi Kimani of Crestline, and Amy (Matt) Weekley of Butler, and his “fourth daughter” Ardath Nash of Columbus; grandchildren Zak Martin, Nic Martin, Purity Kimani (Jon) Walthour, Courtney Weekley, and Aaron Weekley; a great grandson Remington Martin; a sister Barbara Berger of Mansfield and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Louise (Nash) Koroknay in February of 2015. Also deceased are his siblings Ann Appleman, Carl Koroknay, John Koroknay, Alex Koroknay, Helen Bates, and Martha LaRue.
The Koroknay family will receive friends Monday JULY 8, 2024 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, where his funeral service will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. Pastor Bill Heaton will officiate. Burial will follow in Lantz Cemetery, where the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail will present military honors.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory should be made to OhioHealth Hospice.
Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Koroknay family. Share a message of support with them – and watch Tony’s tribute video – online at: SnyderFuneralHomes.com
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Home Lexington Avenue Chapel
Website: SnyderFuneralHomes.com