Hornak,, Martin J. Sr.

Martin "Marty" J. Hornak, Sr., age 94, passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at the Leila and Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence in Muskegon. He was born November 5, 1912, in Chicago, IL, to Martin and Johanna Hornak, and he married the former Ann E. Brida in Chicago on May 5, 1940. She preceded him in death on February 2, 1972. A Grand Haven resident since 1953, Marty was formerly employed by the Chicago Surface Lines and Prudential Insurance Company in Chicago. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Grand Haven for 20 years, retiring in 1975. He was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers, serving as president of Local 1147 for several terms. Marty was also a member of the Slovak Catholic Sokols, a fraternal organization. As a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, he served as Lector and Minister of the Eucharist. He also served as a member of the Parish council, having held the offices of vice-president and president. Marty served as CCD representative for St. Anthony's on the Board of Education at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and he was also co-chairman of the building committee for the new addition to St. Anthony's Church. Survivors include his son, Martin (Darlene) Hornak, Jr. of Grand Haven; 4 daughters: Joanne (Gary) Rupar, Judith (David) Haan, Dorothy (Randy) Erdman, and Ann Marie (Dave) Fortenbacher, all of Grand Haven; 15 grandchildren: Michael (Tina) Hornak, Kevin (Sandie) Hornak, Jim (Dawn) Hornak, Jeff (Tammy) Hornak, Patrick Hornak, Dennis Rupar, Jen (Scott) Lautenschlaeger, Bryan Rupar, Richard (Joy) Haan, Chris (Michelle) Haan, Lori Haan, Dawn (Rob) Buitenhuis, Patrick Butcher, Jeremy (Jodie) Erdman, and Jason (Wendy) Erdman; 22 great-grandchildren; and 2 sisters, Sister M. Martin OSF of Joliet, IL, and Johanna (Michael) Lench of Sewickley, PA. Marty was preceded in death by a brother, John Hornak, and a sister, Mary Hornak. The Funeral Mass for Marty will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 13, 2007, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Grand Haven with Rev. William Langlois as celebrant. Friends may meet the family 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday, January 12, at VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home in Grand Haven with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Interment will be in Robinson Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN, the Poppen Hospice Residence of Harbor Hospice, Second Harvest Gleaners Food Bank, or the St. Mary's School Education Fund.