Kenneth Berchak

Kenneth Walter "Ken" Berchak Kenneth Walter "Ken" Berchak, age 71, of the Marysville/Ostrander area died Sunday, March 11, 2012, at Riverside Methodist Hospital following a serious 2 week illness. A Consultant Mechanical Engineer, Ken owned and operated K B Engineering for over 30 years. He was a 1959 graduate of Lakewood St. Edward High School, received a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1978 from The Ohio State University, and held a PE (Professional Engineer) License. A member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Ken was affiliated with the Ohio Valley Region Sports Car Club of America (OVR-SCCA) for 42 years and was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. An avid and active Motorsports fan and participant, Ken raced and worked at many Road Racing events, especially at Mid-Ohio, and shared this love for racing with his wife and children. He also enjoyed collecting coins. Deserving of the title "The World's Greatest Procrastinator", Ken was a bit ornery, but will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He was born March 11, 1941, in Cleveland to the late Arthur L. and Hilda Rielinger Berchak. He was preceded in death by a brother, James Berchak. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Mary Jane Slay Berchak, to whom he was married on November 2, 1962, in Caldwell; his children, Walter (Terri) Berchak, Hilliard; Kathryn (Michael) Cline, Springfield, VA; Linette (Mark) Lahan, Junction City, KS; and Michael Berchak, Delaware; 2 granddaughters, Erin and Patricia Lahan; his brother, Russell Berchak, Fairfield; 2 sisters-in-law, Bonnie Berchak, North Ridgeville; and Michal June Young, Zanesville; 3 brothers-in-law, Glenn Slay, Jr., Missoula, MT; Clifford (Brenda) Slay, Powell; and George (JoAnn) Slay, Wesley Chapel, FL. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 15, 2012, at Mannasmith Funeral Home, 621 W. 5th St., Marysville, OH 43040. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 16, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Father David Poliafico will officiate and interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the OVR-SCCA Scholarship Fund in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed at www.mannasmithfuneralhome.com.