Daniel E. Chudzinski, March 13, 1926-Jan. 22, 2012

Daniel E. Chudzinski, 85, of Fremont, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, at his residence.

He was born March 13, 1926, in Fremont, the son of Anthony A. and Ellen (Reinbolt) Chudzinski. He was a 1944 graduate of St. Joseph High School. After high school, Dan enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he was assigned to the 15th Air Force, manning heavy machine guns in the ring turret of B-29 aircraft. He was honorably discharged June 30, 1946, attaining the rank of corporal. His military awards include the American Theatre Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

After his military service Dan returned to Fremont to operate the family business, the former A. A. Chudzinski and Sons Market and Tony's Grill, now Chud's Inc., with his father and brother. He became owner of the business in 1963. On Oct. 15, 1949, he married Pauline Molyet at St. Joseph Church in Fremont. She preceded him in death on Feb. 7, 2003.

He was a founding member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, an active member of the Holy Name Society at the former St. Casimir's Church and a current member of St. Ann's Catholic Church. He held additional memberships with the 3rd- and 4th-Degree Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and VFW, Disabled American Veterans and the Ohio Nomads Camping Group.

A friend to many, he enjoyed traveling, flying his helicopter and airplane as a commercially rated pilot and spending his winters in Gulf Shores, Ala. Dan was an avid, eclectic, collector of the unusual and was certainly proud to be Polish. Although he has stories for many of his accomplishments, his greatest was raising his 10 children.

Surviving are his children: Therese (Michael) Clouse of Fostoria, Ohio, Anthony (Cathy) Chudzinski of Fremont, Karen (Al) O'Neal of Fremont, Mary (Chuck) Beier of Swanton, Ohio, Barbara (John) Chudzinski of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., Patty (Brad) Culbert of Fremont, Mark (Judy) Chudzinski of Fremont, Peter (Joy) Chudzinski of Fremont, Jacob (Kathy) Chudzinski of Fremont and Amy Chudzinski of Fremont; 22 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; constant companion, Rachel Shearon of Fremont; sisters, Katie (Stan) Root of Fremont and Margaret Pert of Fremont.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; son, Frederick Leo; brother, Vincent Chudzinski; and sister, Lucille Miller.

Visitation will be 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Keller-Ochs-Koch-Mason Funeral & Cremation Service, 416 S. Arch St., Fremont. Vigil services will begin at 7:30 p.m.

A Mass of Resurrection will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Michael Zacharias officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery with military graveside honors performed by the VFW and American Legion.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Ann's Catholic Church or Hospice of Memorial Hospital.

Online condolences may be expressed at kokm.net