Frank V. Sklarek, 81, U.S. Army Veteran
Frank V. “Slim” Sklarek, age 81, of Sheffield Township, passed away at Mercy New Life Hospice on the afternoon of Sunday May 22, 2022 with his loving family and devoted pet Shetland Sheep Dog, Indy, at his side following a five-year battle with cancer.
Born in Lorain on December 30, 1940, Slim was a 1959-B graduate of Lorain High School.
He was inducted into the United States Army in 1963 and fulfilled duty assignments as a Private First Class attached to the 9520 Military Police Company. Slim earned recognition as a sharpshooter and was presented with the Good Conduct Medal upon his discharge from the service.
Upon return from the military, he joined the Lorain Police Department and embarked on a twenty-eight year career in law enforcement with the municipality and served as the department’s Lorain County Blood Bank coordinatior for many years. A long-time member of F.O.P. Lodge # 3, he retired in 1994.
A former altar boy and parishioner at Nativity BVM Catholic Church, Slim was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of Black River Lodge # 786 F. & A.M. In addition, he formerly served as the Vice President of the Lorain Hungarian Club.
He was a standout fast-pitch softball player on a variety of area teams including The Lorain Police and the Lorain Hungarian Club. He also recorded several no-hitters while playing for General Plug and was inducted into the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame during ceremonies in 2002 as a member of the Frank’s Rec / Dr. Dobney’s team.
He was a member of American Legion Post # 888 as well as the Police and Fire Retirees of Ohio. He was also known as an avid Cleveland sports fan who enjoyed solving crossword puzzles and league bowling in his free time.
Survivors include daughters Rebecca Kelling (Tom) of Lorain, Francine Ksenich (Howard) of Sheffield Township, Linda Rosalez (Luis) of Lorain, and sons Rick Buckosh (Cindy) of Elyria and Randy Buckosh (Debra) of Bay Village. Slim also leaves grandchildren Ally, Logan, and Luke Kelling, nine additional step-grandchildren, and ten great step grandchildren. Additional survivors include his brother Ron Sklarek (Evie) of Lorain, and sisters Irene Scanlon of Springfield, Virginia, Carol Wright of Sheffield, and Rose Jacobs (Al) of Lorain.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jean (nee Matos) in 2014, father Stephen J. Sklarek, mother Dorothy R. Sklarek (nee Bonk), sister Marge Sklarek, and brothers James, Ralph, and Steve.
Visitation will be observed on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel – 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. Funeral services will be Friday beginning with closing prayers offered in the funeral chapel at 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow in at 11:00 a.m. in Nativity BVM Catholic Church – 1454 Lexington Avenue, Lorain. Reverend Craig M. Hovanec, Administrator of the parish will serve as celebrant. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park where military honors will be conducted by Amvets Post # 32 of Elyria.
In lieu of flowers, Slim’s family encourages memorial contributions to either Mercy New Life Hospice, the Friendship Animal Protective League, or any chapter of the Police Athletic League.
To share your memories and condolences with the Sklarek Family, please visit www.gluvna.net.