Donald W. Czarnecki

Donald W. Czarnecki, 87, of Elyria passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, April 9, 2026 under the care of his family and Reserve Care Hospice. He was born on September 17, 1938 in Lorain to Walter and Stella (nee Lewandowski) Czarnecki. He grew up in Lorain and attended St. Stanislaus School through the 8th grade, was a Lorain High School graduate with the class of 1956-B and later attended the Oberlin School of Commerce. Don was employed over forty-two years by the Kroger Co. as produce manager and also with Rini-Rego stores until the time of his retirement in 1997. Don was proud of and loved his family as much as they did him. He instilled in his children and grandchildren the meaning of dedication, values, morals, ethics, hard work, and so many other life skills. He especially enjoyed traveling and making his annual trips to Florida with his wife and children for over fifty years. In his free time he loved attending polka dances, listening to polka music, working in his yard, solving jigsaw and crossword puzzles, watching baseball and football games, attending his grandchildren’s sporting and school events, drives to Lakeview Park and watching the activities and rides at Cedar Point. As both a child and an adult he enjoyed his model trains and Christmas village display under the tree. At a young age he learned to play the accordion and formed two polka bands - “Don’s Polka Dots” and also “Moonlighters Four” in which he played for countless weddings and dances for more than sixty years. Following his many years of performing, he found great joy in attending polka dances and was very proud of teaching his granddaughters how to polka dance. Don was an honorary member of the United Polish Club of Elyria as well as a member of the Cleveland Polka Association. He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years Carol (nee Gerber) Czarnecki, four daughters - Nancy Skotko (Steve) of Seven Hills, Cheryl Stevanus (Ron) of Oberlin, Karen Bucholz (Russ) of Elyria and Michelle Czarnecki (Mark Mazzocco) of Elyria, seven grandchildren -Dan Shultz (Leah), Tim Shultz (Nicole), Laura Bucholz, Sarah Hill (Alex), Rebecca Miles (Sam), Emily Kenyon (Mike), Aaron Stevanus (Rachel) and eleven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Stella Czarnecki as well as by his sister Dolores Czarnecki. Friends may call Monday April 13th from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel – 3224 Broadway, Lorain. Additional visitation will be observed in Nativity BVM Catholic Church -1454 Lexington Avenue, Lorain on Tuesday April 14th from 10:30 a.m. until the time of his Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Craig M. Hovanec, Pastor of the parish will officiate. Burial will follow in Brookdale Cemetery, Elyria. Extended fellowship will take place immediately following Don’s burial at South Ridge Hall – 110 West Main Street, South Amherst. The family would like to thank the physicians, the staff of Fresenius Kidney Care Heritage Elyria and Reserve Care Hospice for the support and care they provided to Don and his family.

Donald W. Czarnecki

September 17, 1938 - April 9, 2026