Robert John Tokas, 74, Planner-Buyer

He was born February 17, 1931 in Amherst. He was raised in Elyria and graduated from Elyria High School in the class of 1949. He had made his home in Oberlin from 1957 to 1973 before moving to South Amherst where he has been a resident.

Robert served in the US Air Force for four years during the Korean Conflict. He attended Bowling Green College for three years. He was employed as a Planner-Buyer at Lorain Product in Lorain for twenty-five years, retiring in 1997. He was also employed at Bendix Westinghouse from 1956 to 1969. After retirement, he worked part-time at LTI in Elyria. He was a member of the American Production and Inventory Control, Association (APIC). Robert was on the Board of Public Affairs in South Amherst from 1973 to 1976. He was currently a board member of the Lorain County Educational Services and served as that board’s representative to the JVS School board, South Amherst School Board in1976, and the Firelands School Board in 1985. He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in South Amherst where he was a former Elder. He enjoyed traveling and camping with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of forty-seven years, Irene Marie (nee: Wakunovich); his sons Robert John Tokas, Jr of Elyria, Mark Steven Tokas of Amherst; his daughter Christine Ann Malek of Amherst; three grandchildren; his brother Donald Tokas of Kenwood, California.

He was preceded in death by his sister Marilyn Sweesy in 1986; and by his parents John Tokas in 1990 and Julia Tokas (nee: Pataky) in 1993.

Friends may call Friday, May 6, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home, 373 Cleveland Avenue, Amherst. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 7, 2005 at 11 am from the funeral home. The Rev. Paul Eaton, pastor of St. John United Church of Christ, will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, South Amherst.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to St. John United Church of Christ; 416 Leonard Street, South Amherst, Ohio 44001 or The Ireland Cancer Center, 1100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44105.