Michael L Petrik

Michael Petrik said goodbye to his loved ones Monday afternoon, March 7, 2016 in Mansfield, Ohio and headed off in his Pontiac GTO for a Very Big Roadtrip in the sky, after over a year-long struggle as a lung transplant recipient. Mike’s sense of humor and strong sense of family stayed with him to the end, as he lovingly waved goodbye, revved his engine and embarked on his new adventure.

Michael is the son of Mike and Nellie (Samborski) Petrik and was born on April 30, 1950 in Lodi. He graduated from Northwestern High School in 1968. He grew up in West Salem, Ohio, lived and worked in Cleveland, and then moved to Crestline in 1972.  He retired from Fisher Bodies General Motors, Ontario, Ohio in 2000 after 32 years as a mechanical supervisor.  An avid lover of travel, he went to Japan several times for G.M. Right after retirement, he purchased a motor home and took his wife and sisters on a cross country adventure throughout the western U.S. and into his mother’s hometown in Burlo, Manitoba, Canada.  His favorite trips were to Alaska with his father-in-law Dan Busler, who he went to work for at Earthworm Construction in Iberia for 10 years. Mike was a member of the NRA and Ohio Gun Collectors Club??  He loved animals, but was particularly fond of his dogs and cats.

Mike was an inspiration to his family and friends, many of whom will treasure the examples he set in tireless work ethic and in his caring for others … including the occasional stray animal. His big heart will be missed by his wife, Barbara Jeannie (Busler) Petrik, his children Sherry and Bruce Scheuerer of Crestline, Phill and Stephanie Petrik of Wadsworth, Shawn Petrik of Crestline; step children Steve and Lisa Gibbons of Crestline, Kay Fantin of Ontario and JD and Tina Vicars of Columbus; father-in-law Dan and Wanita Busler; sisters Dolores and Bill Wright of New Philadelphia, Patricia Fryman and Herman Beckett of Cuyahoga Falls, Marilyn Ringler and Richard Maxwell of Wooster; grandchildren Jordan, Macy, Emily, Brent, Kassie, Hunter, Jace, Kacie, Kortney, Raelynn, Austin and Mike .  Special thanks to Mike’s cousins Johnnie Nagorka of Cleveland and Chriss and Blanche Crebs of West Salem; the Cleveland Clinic; and the First United Methodist Church in Crestline, where Mike was a member; and to the organ donor and his family for their precious gift.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Michael Joseph Petrik and John Halko, and mother-in-law Alberta Busler.

Funeral service will be Friday March 11, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at Matteson Funeral Home, 40 Congress St., in West Salem, Ohio, with Father Thomas Stock officiating.  Friends will be received Friday 4:00 to 7:00 prior to  the service Burial of the ashes will be at a later date in West Salem Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later date at First United Methodist Church in Crestline. Online condolences may be shared at the funeral home website  www.mattesonfh.com

Please give memorial contributions to “Donate Life America” in care of the Matteson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 314, West Salem, Ohio  44287. Support a new chance at life for someone by registering to be an organ donor.

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