Richard Jonke

Mass of Christian Burial for Richard C. “Rich” Jonke, 89, will be on Friday, February 14, 2014 at 11:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 16550 Rock Creek Rd., Thompson, OH.   Please meet at church.   Mr. Jonke died on February 9 at University Hospitals – Geauga Medical Center.  He was a 58 year resident of Montville Township.

Rich was born July 24, 1924 in Cleveland, Ohio.  He was married for 61 years to the love of his life, Betty.  Richard graduated from Chardon High School, served in the U.S. Army in Georgia, and worked as a journeyman machinist at General Motors and at Terex in Hudson, Ohio.

He loved his wife, Betty, and his family with all his heart.  He loved being outside and working in his orchards and vineyard, and cultivating his crops on his Montville farm these last 58 years.  There was never enough time in the day for all he had planned.  He worked outside on the farm until Christmas Day 2013, the day he was taken ill.  He will be greatly missed by all.

He is survived by his wife, Betty (nee Redmond); children Kathleen Skopec (Robert) of Chagrin Falls and The Woodlands, TX, Richard A., of Tallmadge,  Theresa Jonke-Brown (Lawrence) of Capetown, South Africa, and Rebecca Paleo (Robert) of  Burke, VA; grandchildren, Allison and Stuart Skopec, Quentin, Roxy, Eva and Alexa Paleo; brother Fred (Betty); and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-law, nieces, nephews and friends.

Richard was preceded in death by his son Michael; parents Joseph and Mary (Turk); brothers Frank (Bertha), Joseph (Mary Jane), Rudolf (Paula), Walter, Thomas and sister Marie Nyerges (Frank).

The family would like to thank Dr. Joseph Diblasio and his nurse, Sheila, for their kind and compassionate care during Richard’s illness.  They also wish to thank Dr. Razmjouei and his nurse, and the medical staff at University Hospitals-Geauga and  Heather Hill for all their kind attention to Richard’s care.

Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Rich at The DeJohn Funeral Home & Crematory of Chardon (formerly Ritondaro) 126 South St.  (Rt. 44, south of Rt. 6/Chardon Square) THURSDAY 4-7 PM.  Burial will follow the Mass in St. Patrick Cemetery, Thompson.  Family suggests contributions be made in Rich’s memory to Montville Fire & Rescue or the St. Jude Society.  Online obituary, guestbook, & order flowers at www.DeJohnCares.com.