John Paknik’s widow passes away

Ida Mae Paknik, widow of Monongah’s John Paknik, Class of 1946, passed away Tuesday, September 8 in Fairmont.

John’s siblings were Tom Paknik, Class of 1951;  Mildred Paknik Vozniak, Class of 1948, who married Chester Vozniak; Elizabeth Paknik, Class of 1945; Ann Paknik Roubian; Susan Paknik May; Christine Paknik; Steven Paknik; and Samuel Paknik, Jr.

Ida Mae Paknik

Their parents were Samuel Paknik, Sr. and Anna Cernak Paknik.

Ida Mae Paknik

·         BORN: July 14, 1928

·         DIED: September 8, 2015

·         LOCATION: Fairmont, West Virginia

Ida Mae Paknik, 87, was called to heaven to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 8, 2015, while resting peacefully in her Fairmont home surrounded by family.

She was born in Fairmont on July 14, 1928, the daughter of the late Burley Lockhart and Nellie Merrill Lockhart and was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-seven years, John Paknik, Sr. on August 1, 2008. The couple was married at Grace Lutheran Church on July 14, 1951 after a three-year courtship and engagement, with the late Reverend Harold Hann officiating.

Ida was a stay-at home mom who devoted her life to her husband, to whom she was ardently committed, and raising their five children. Ida immersed herself in her children's development, supporting their religious growth at Grace Lutheran Church by serving as a Sunday School Teacher and Youth Group Leader for many years; as well as serving as a mentor, booster and patron of their various scholastic, musical, athletic and scouting activities.

The matriarch and heart of her large family, her steadfast nurturing and loving support especially extended to seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In her younger years Mrs. Paknik worked at the Westinghouse Lamp Plant.

As her family matured, Ida became actively involved in various service organizations and clubs, notably serving as Past Grand Chief of the Pythian Sisters, Hope Temple 71, Past Noble Grand of Rebecca Lodge #64; and was a lifetime member of both the Military Order of the Purple Heart Auxiliary and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Post 629, and served as a member of the Grace Lutheran Church Faith Guild.

She was very talented in arts and crafts and enjoyed working in her flower and vegetable gardens.

Ida is survived by two sons, John Paknik, Jr. and his fiancé, Sandy Scully of Greensburg, PA, and David Paknik and his wife, Della of Fairmont; three daughters, Twila Hammel of Reading, PA, Brenda Anna Juliette Paknik-Nagem and her husband R. Scott of Manassas, VA and Linda Elisabeth Mae Paknik of Fairmont; grandchildren, Jess Hammel, Jessica and her husband Adam Raikes, John Paknik, III, Daniel and his fiancé Megan Kuhn, Julianna Matilda Nagem, Cayley Elouise Paknik and Elisha David Paknik; three great-grandchildren, Michayla Coleman, Kinsley Raikes and Reagan Raikes; a brother, James Lockhart; a sister-in-law, Mildred Paknik Vozniak and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ida was preceded in death by her brothers, Harvey, Harrison, Leroy, Clarence Lee; her sisters, Elouise Bartholow, Mary Lou Minifee; a daughter-in-law, Renee D. Paknik; a son-in-law, Stuart F. Hammel; sisters-in-law, Anna Roubian, Susan Judd, Elizabeth Paknik; and brothers-in-law, Samuel, Steven and Thomas Paknik.

Friends may call at the Carpenter and Ford Funeral Home, 209 Merchant Street, from 1pm to 8pm Thursday. Viewing will also be held at the Grace Lutheran Church, 300 Gaston Avenue in Fairmont, 10am to 11am on Friday and the funeral service immediately following at 11am with Pastor Matthew Holbert officiating. Entombment will follow at the Shinnston Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Grace Lutheran Church, 300 Gaston Avenue, Fairmont, WV 26554.