Ernest W. Dayka, 82, Active in Lorain Democratic Party & Community

He was born August 31, 1924 in Lorain and had been a lifelong Lorain area resident.

Ernie was a graduate of the Lorain High School 1942-B class. He served with the US Air Force during World War II as a Radar Specialist and played Triple A baseball for the Air Force baseball team. He batted leadoff and had a league high batting average. He also played baseball for other local teams.

He worked at US Steel in Lorain for 40 � years in the pipe mills and maintenance departments retiring in 1982.

Ernie was an active member of the Catholic Church of St. Peter in Lorain where he served on parish council, was a Eucharistic Minister, altar server and usher.

His true passion was the Lorain Democratic Party. He served as 8th Ward Captain and Precinct Committeeman for 40 years. He volunteered countless hours to the political campaigns of many Lorain city and county candidates including judges, councilmen, commissioners, mayors, state senators and state representatives including his son who was elected to the Lorain school board. Many people remember him for his expertise in making and putting up campaign signs. He also served as a grand jury foreman.

Ernie served the community in many ways by coaching local baseball teams in Little League, Class F, Class E and Class D leagues. He also served as a baseball umpire for 10 years. He served on the Lorain Parks and Recreation Board and was a past president. He was active in USWA Local #1104. He was past president, treasurer and trustee of the Golden Agers Pensioners of Local #1104 and a member of SOARS of Local #1104. He volunteered at Community Health Partners Hospital in Lorain for over 850 hours.

He is survived by his daughter Suzann K. Dayka of Lorain, son James A. Dayka of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 5 grandchildren Kristin Dayka, Lara Schwinn, Matthew Dayka, Benjamin Schwinn and Hannah Schwinn, and sister Elvira Findley of Lorain. He was preceded in death by his wife Alice Dayka (nee Bores) in 1998, parents Alex and Ethel Dayka (nee Kalapos) and brothers Julius Dayka and Alex Dayka.

The family will receive friends Sunday 2-5, 6-9 p.m. at the Gluvna Shimo Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral chapel followed by the mass of Christian burial on Monday at 11:30 a.m. at the Catholic Church of St. Peter, 3501 Oberlin Ave., Lorain. The Rev. Kenneth Wolnowski, pastor of the Catholic Church of St. Peter and the Rev. James Schmitz, pastor of St. Ladislaus Catholic Church in Lorain, will concelebrate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic Church of St. Peter, 3501 Oberlin Ave., Lorain, OH. 44052.

Online condolences may be made at www.gluvna.net.