Obituary for Henry E. "Sandy" Kowalczyk
Henry “Sandy” Edward Kowalczyk entered into his Father’s House on May 4, 2020 at the age of 76 after a period of declining health at Smithville Western Care Center.
There will be no calling hours. Services will be for immediate family only due to current COVID-19 restrictions.
Henry was born on October 4, 1943 to Henry & Margaret (Allen) Kowalczyk in Speers, Pennsylvania. His father nick-named him “Sandy” because of his sandy-colored hair. At 11 months old, his father was killed during battle in Holland at the time of World War II, and he was raised by his mother and step-father, Lloyd Hull, alongside his younger brother, Robert Hull, on a 100 acre farm. He graduated from Beth-Center High School in Fredericktown, Pennsylvania where shortly after he moved to Barberton, Ohio, but lived most of his life in Orrville. He was a jack-of-all-trades, working all sorts of jobs, but he especially loved being a mechanic and auto body repair man. He kept a scrapbook of particular projects he was proud of completing. Cars had his heart and he boasted of owning over 1,000 of them in his lifetime. Sandy loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed taking his Amish friends and clientele on their outdoor trips. He never knew a stranger and seemed to be bigger than life. He loved turning on his charming, yet ornery personality even towards the end as the nurses took his vitals or when he coaxed the evening “snack lady” to give him an extra ice cream cup. His strong handshake was like steel and it seemed that his highest achievement in life was giving people a good laugh. So many people are going to miss him.
Surviving are his children, Tim (Kathleen) Kowalczyk, Anita Peyakov, Mike (Heather) Kowalczyk, Jason (Charity) Kowalczyk and Justin (Jackie) Kowalczyk; step children Lynn Martin, Dawn Nichols and Rodney Martin; grandchildren Lauren, Nick, Austin (Hayley), Mallory, Kelsey, Mason, Callie, Maxon, Jerika, Jensen, Jackson and Matthew; great grandchildren Hunter, Isabella, Zander, Zaiden, Gatlynn, Landon and Sienna; brother Robert Hull; former spouse Linda Eyster as well as many nieces and nephews, step grandchildren and step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth Kowalczyk, wife Jo Kowalczyk, grandson Joshua and stepson Rusty Martin.
Since many of Sandy’s friends and extended family are unable to attend the private services, the immediate family would like to give others an opportunity to share their thoughts and memories which will be made into a Life Book. If you would like to submit a memory please email jasonek79@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Ohio Hospice LifeCare 1900 Akron Rd. Wooster, Ohio 44691 or Orrville Sportsmen’s Club 18473 Shifferly Road, North Lawrence, OH 44666.
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There will be no calling hours. Services will be for immediate family only due to current COVID-19 restrictions.
Henry was born on October 4, 1943 to Henry & Margaret (Allen) Kowalczyk in Speers, Pennsylvania. His father nick-named him “Sandy” because of his sandy-colored hair. At 11 months old, his father was killed during battle in Holland at the time of World War II, and he was raised by his mother and step-father, Lloyd Hull, alongside his younger brother, Robert Hull, on a 100 acre farm. He graduated from Beth-Center High School in Fredericktown, Pennsylvania where shortly after he moved to Barberton, Ohio, but lived most of his life in Orrville. He was a jack-of-all-trades, working all sorts of jobs, but he especially loved being a mechanic and auto body repair man. He kept a scrapbook of particular projects he was proud of completing. Cars had his heart and he boasted of owning over 1,000 of them in his lifetime. Sandy loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed taking his Amish friends and clientele on their outdoor trips. He never knew a stranger and seemed to be bigger than life. He loved turning on his charming, yet ornery personality even towards the end as the nurses took his vitals or when he coaxed the evening “snack lady” to give him an extra ice cream cup. His strong handshake was like steel and it seemed that his highest achievement in life was giving people a good laugh. So many people are going to miss him.
Surviving are his children, Tim (Kathleen) Kowalczyk, Anita Peyakov, Mike (Heather) Kowalczyk, Jason (Charity) Kowalczyk and Justin (Jackie) Kowalczyk; step children Lynn Martin, Dawn Nichols and Rodney Martin; grandchildren Lauren, Nick, Austin (Hayley), Mallory, Kelsey, Mason, Callie, Maxon, Jerika, Jensen, Jackson and Matthew; great grandchildren Hunter, Isabella, Zander, Zaiden, Gatlynn, Landon and Sienna; brother Robert Hull; former spouse Linda Eyster as well as many nieces and nephews, step grandchildren and step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth Kowalczyk, wife Jo Kowalczyk, grandson Joshua and stepson Rusty Martin.
Since many of Sandy’s friends and extended family are unable to attend the private services, the immediate family would like to give others an opportunity to share their thoughts and memories which will be made into a Life Book. If you would like to submit a memory please email jasonek79@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Ohio Hospice LifeCare 1900 Akron Rd. Wooster, Ohio 44691 or Orrville Sportsmen’s Club 18473 Shifferly Road, North Lawrence, OH 44666.
To plant a tree in memory of Henry E. "Sandy" Kowalczyk, visit the Tribute Store.
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