Ernie Petok, 90, of Oregon, Ohio, passed away on Monday, December 28, 2015, at the home of his daughter April Petok. He was born October 2, 1925, to Alexander and Mary (Fekete) Petok of Toledo and attended Waite High School. On December 29, 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Dionne during WW II until his discharge January 2, 1946. Ernie then worked for New York Central Railroad as a Control Tower Operator for 36 years.
Ernie's love for airplanes began when he was in the second grade on a field trip to an airport. He learned to fly at age 13. His hobby through the years was to purchase wrecked, damaged airplanes and restore them. His main pride was in the restoration of a 1929 Travel Air 4000. It took him 10 years to complete.
Ernie is survived by his three daughters, Doris (Ron) Depew, Linda (Merv) Bird and April Petok; grandchildren, Ted Denison, Trina (Bob) Kelly, Tonya Denison and Chad (Donna) Jenkins; great-grandchildren, Breanne Denison, Autumn Denison, Tiffanie Jones, Summer Jones, Jessica Ryan, Vanessa Jenkins, Meghan Jenkins, Kaylah Jenkins, Ella Kelly and Lauren Kelly and great-great-grandchild, Kaydence McClain. He is also survived by five nieces and two nephews. Ernie was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janice Petok; brothers, Andrew and Alex Petok and sisters, Irene Singular, Madge Evans, and Mary Glover.
Family and friends may visit the Freck Funeral Chapel, 1155 S. Wynn Rd, Oregon, on Sunday, January 10, 2016 from 1-5 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday in the funeral home at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Lake Twp Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Honor Flight.