Charles "Charlie" Kormanik Sr.

Charles “Charlie” Kormanik, age 87, of Kansas City North, passed away peacefully with his family at his side Friday, April 01, 2016 after heart and kidney complications while recovering from a fall after feeding squirrels! Charlie was born at Mine 37, Windber, Pennsylvania, and was one of 13 children to Andrew and Elizabeth. Charlie was a gifted athlete who turned down a football scholarship to Penn State to work in the steel mill to help his widowed mother care for the children at home after his father died of black lung disease from his years in the coal mines. He married Anna Marie Wenski, the daughter of Nicholas and Katherine Wenski, in 1954. Charlie was a dedicated Veteran who served in the Air Force as a Staff Sargent in the Korean War with the 25th Fighter Squadron of the 51st Fighter Wing; “The Checkertails” were based out of Osan Airbase in South Korea. Upon return to civilian life and further training, Charlie put his valuable skills to use to become a lead mechanic, and then lead inspector for Trans World Airlines at the TWA Overhaul base. He retired from TWA in 1990 after 36 years of service. Charlie is survived by his three children, Charlie Jr. and his wife Mary Lynn of St. Joseph, MI, Greg Kormanik of the home, and daughter Lisa and her husband Brian Osgood, of Lee’s Summit, MO. He has eight grandchildren, Charlie Hugh Kormanik and Nicholas “Nick” Gardner Kormanik of St. Joseph, MI, Rachel Kormanik & her husband Alexey Sergiyenko of Olathe, KS, Sarah Kormanik and Megan Kormanik of Kansas City, MO and Charlie Osgood, Andrew Osgood, and Nick Osgood of Lee’s Summit, MO. His sister Ethel Slinar, of Windber, Pennsylvania, is his only remaining living sibling.

Charlie was preceded in death by his wife Anna in 2010, his siblings Nicholas Kormanik, Mike Kormanik, Andrew Kormanik, John Kormanik, Mary Horvath, Pete Kormanik, Ann Bodnar, Paul Kormanik, Helen Ostrosky, Martha Welesko, and most recently, Alfred Kormanik.

Charlie dearly loved his grandchildren, enjoyed tinkering with cars, working in the yard, and going to the community center for his hot tub and pool time. Charlie was Lifetime Member of VFW Post 5606 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 1650. He was an active volunteer with Boy Scout Troop 612 several years ago, and an Honorary Warrior in the Tribe of Mic O Say at H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. His Tribal name is Big Sleek Stalking Cougar.

Charlie’s family will remember his heart of gold and love for everyone. He was described as a “Guardian Angel on Earth” by his daughter-in-law Mary Lynn. He was a loving husband and father, and a friend to all. He was a very giving man, assuring everyone’s needs were met before his own. He gave to numerous charities which was an attestation to his giving and caring nature. He was a gracious, honest man who loved animals. His deep faith and fierce determination was evident until the very end. We have been blessed to have him in our lives, but he is at peace now with his dear wife Ann.

The family would like to thank Dr. Enriquez and staff at the Rehabilitation Center of Independence for their exceptional care and encouragement through his rehab. The nursing care he received at Centerpoint Medical Center during his two admissions was wonderful, especially the care given in his final hours by Jason and Adrianne. The family is also grateful for the caring guidance and facilitation of his end-of-life care provided by Crossroads Palliative Care.

His life will be celebrated on Tuesday morning, April 5, 2016 at St. Gabriel Archangel Catholic Church, 4737 N. Cleveland, Kansas City, MO. Visitation will be at 9:30 am followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery, 5001 NE Cookingham Drive, Kansas City, MO. Charlie was a founding member of St. Gabriel’s parish that just celebrated their 60-year anniversary March 6, 2016.

The family appreciates the arrangements that have been handled by the Speaks Suburban Chapel in Independence, Missouri.

The family requests donations to their favored religious charity in Charlie’s memory.