Frank M. Bardar, 99, Machinist

Born December 7, 1902 in New York City, New York, he lived in Pennsylvania before moving to Cleveland where his family ran a small grocery store. For the past 75 years, he has resided in Amherst Township.

Mr. Bardar worked as a machinist at the US Steel Co., Lorain retiring in 1965. He was a member of Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, South Amherst. He was an active member of the Amherst Eagles and R.E.A.C. and belonged to the American Slovak club in Lorain, where he regularly bowled in a league until 1997.

He loved farming especially haying time, when he could drive his John Deere tractor, pulling a wagon piled high with fresh mown hay. He also enjoyed vegetable gardening and tended a garden each year. He learned winemaking from his father and for many years raised a variety of grapes, by his garden with family and friends, recalling memories of his childhood. He also took daily walks down the lane with is faithful companion, Jasper.

Survivors include his sisters, mary R. Flock of South Amherst, nieces Karen Zvosechz and Joan Grill, nephews, John and Donald Bardar, Gary Zvosec and Donald Flock, 15 great nieces and nephews and 19 great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by parents, George and Mary (nee Cerny) Bardar, by his brothers George, John, and William Bardar; and by a sister, Helen Zvosec.

Friends may call Wednesday, April 10, 2002 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home, 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst. Closing prayers will be held Thursday, April 11, 2002 at 9:30 a.m. from the funeral home and a Mass of Christian burial to follow at 10:00 a.m. from Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church; 333 South Lake St., South Amherst with the Rev. Fr. Denis St. Marie, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.

Memorial contributions may be made to Nativity blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 333 South Lake St., South Amherst, OH 44001.