Robert E. Horvath Sr.

AUSTINTOWN A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Stephen of Hungary Church, following a 9 a.m. viewing at the Lane Family Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel, for Robert E. Horvath Sr., 79. Bob passed away March 15, 2012, at 12:35 a.m. at Hospice House. Bob was born in Youngstown, January 11, 1933, the son of Wilbur J. and Eleanor E. Phillips Horvath. He attended Youngstown South High School until joining the U.S. Marine Corps on Jan. 12, 1950. He served in the Korean War, and was part of the American landing at Inchon, Korea, a member of the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marines Division on a M4A3E8 Sherman tank. He received the Purple Heart in November of 1951, and an honorable discharge on Jan. 11, 1954, with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Bob worked at Idora Park, Republic Steel, Servomation Vending, was a carpet installer, and a truck driver. He made Austintown his home in 1958, and in 1967, he joined the Austintown Police Department as a patrolman. He retired as a Captain in January of 1995. He earned several honors throughout his career, including the award for Mahoning County Patrol Officer of the Year in 1975. Over the years, Bob's hobbies included racing hydroplane speedboats, and hunting wild boar, ram, deer, elk, and antelope. However, his passion was his farm in North Jackson, where he owned and operated Horvath's Stables. He and his son, Randy, spent many years tending to the property. He also showed his own horse at local adult competitions. He enjoyed watching the Discovery and History Channels, NFL, and NASCAR. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever possible. Robert was a member of St. Stephen of Hungary Catholic Church and the Holy Name Society. He was also a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, Penn Ohio Horse Association, Northern Ohio Quarter Horse Association, Mahoning County Saddle Horse Association and the Mahoning County Farm Bureau. Bob married Evelyn V. Palotsee Horvath on Dec. 1, 1956, at St. Stephen of Hungary Catholic Church. She has been his loving wife and caregiver. They have four children, Robert Jr. (Kim) of Avon, Michele (Jeff) Toth of Austintown, James Sr. (Cary) of Austintown, and Randall (Julie) of North Jackson; 11 grandchildren, Jacob, Rebecca, Joshua and Rachel Horvath of Avon, Christina Toth and Dr. Amy (Jay) Toth Dahl of Austintown, Dr. James Jr. (Jesse) Horvath of Aberdeen, N.C., Dr. Mikhenan (Dr. Marcos) Horvath Izquierdo of Lakewood, Dustin (Nicole) Horvath of Austintown, Ashley (Ryan) James of Canfield, and Colton Horvath of North Jackson; three great-grandchildren, Fallon and Riley James of Canfield, and Jetson Izquierdo of Lakewood. Robert leaves a sister, Suzanne Krinos of Campbell; a brother, Fr. Bertrand Wilbur Horvath of Austintown; and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves his best friend since childhood, Don Best, who became a barber and cut his hair until this day. Also, great friends Marge and John Kramer, were always there when needed. He was preceded in death by his parents and three infant sons, Timothy, Lawrence, and Terrance; and daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Rochford Horvath. The Horvath family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Detesco and Dr. Digvijay Singh for their constant care, the wonderful staff at St. Elizabeth's Health Center, the caring staff at Briarfield at the Ridge, the drivers for Boardman Medical, and the staff at Hospice of the Valley. Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Lane Family Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Stephen of Hungary Catholic Church of Youngstown, or Hospice of the Valley's Hospice House.