Robert Charles C. Gonya, 95, of Fremont, OH passed away on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at Heritage Village of Clyde. He was born on October 24, 1922, the son of Irvin A. and Nellie (Sullivan) Gonya. He was a graduate of St. Joseph High School.
Robert served in the U.S. Army in the Aleutian Islands from January 2, 1943 to December 10, 1945 and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal; Distinguished Unit Badge; American Theater Service Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Medal w/1 Bronze Star and the WWII Victory Medal.
Robert married Lena M. Beasley on August 9, 1945 in Jackson, MS and she preceded him in death on March 27, 2005. He married Sarah (Bowman) on September 15, 2007 and she survives. He was a security guard for twenty-five years at the former Erie Army (Ordinance) Depot in Port Clinton, OH and then transferred to Jefferson Proving Grounds in Madison, IN. While in Madison he also worked as an orderly in the King’s Daughter Hospital and as a caregiver/aide with Home Health Services. Robert was a substitute rural route mail carrier and farmed with the Gonya Brothers.
Robert was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and previously a member of St. Joseph Church in Fremont and St. Patrick’s Church in Madison, IN. He was a member of the Fremont Moose, VFW, American Legion and past member of St. Joseph Holy Name Society.
Robert is survived by his wife, Sarah Gonya, Fremont, OH; children, Robert (Mary) Gonya, Jr., Goshen, KY, Teresa (William) McClure, Fremont, OH, Carolyn (William) Yeager, Castalia, OH, Judy (Steven) Zimmerman, Norwalk, OH; step children, Joseph Henry (Linda) Friend, Bellevue, OH, Linda Jill (Dan) Howton, Helena, OH, Joann Atkins, Clyde, OH; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Lena M. Gonya; siblings, Helen Rusch, Margaret Spieldenner, John, Russell and Irvin Gonya and an infant sister, Teresa Gonya; step grandson, William Myers, grandson-in-law, Douglas Haubert.
Visitation: Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home, 425 E. State St, Fremont, OH.
Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, September 17, 2018, 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 550 Smith Rd, Fremont, OH.
Burial: Greenlawn Memory Gardens, Clyde, OH with Military Honors provided by the American Legion and the VFW.
Memorials: To Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
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Jane C. Gonya
September 13, 2018 at 5:13 pmMy deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the entire family of Uncle Bob. Teresa, Carolyn, Judy and Bobbie. I am so saddened by your Father’s passing. But I know he will be re-joined in heaven by my Father, John S. Gonya and all of his brothers and sisters. I loved Uncle Bob dearly and remember his contagious laughter,kind smile and warm hugs! Uncle Bob “never” said a cross word about anyone and was always there for us when Daddy passed in 1964 and the years thereafter.
My fondest memories were his 90th birthday party and the Gonya re-union in Amherst, Ohio, at Ann Spieldenner (Al’s) home 2 years ago. I am so thankful we could all get together and have Uncle Bob there to lighten up the party.
Rest in God’s gracious peace Uncle Bob!
Maureen (Spieldenner) Barton
September 17, 2018 at 1:39 amSo sorry to see the end of the Gonya siblings! Uncle Bob was mom’s favorite brother and therefore my favorite uncle!! I loved his humor and zest for life. I wish I could be with you all to celebrate his amazing life! Love to you all.