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BOARDMAN - John T. Sefcik Jr., of Boardman, died peacefully at the age of 94 on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Affectionately known as “Chick,” he was born on Jan. 6, 1932, in Youngstown, to the late John and Helen Krotky Sefcik.
John grew up on the south side, graduating from St. Matthias School and Woodrow Wilson High School.
He served with the US Army in the Korean War from 1952 to 1954 as a Medic. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal, having been decorated with several medals, including a Bronze Service Star and Combat Infantryman Badge. John was a humble man who never spoke about his war experience.
He returned to civilian life and married the love of his life, Lillian Hodos, in 1955. They built a house on the south side of Youngstown and raised two daughters.
He was an active member in St. Matthias Church and the Holy Name Society.
John was employed by Compco Metal Products for 44 years, where he worked as a shipper. He was very loyal to his company and worked very hard.
He was an excellent polka dancer with his wife as well as a league bowler. He always had a vegetable garden and loved to putter in the garage. His lifelong passion was golf, which he pursued for nearly 85 years, playing in several leagues at Mill Creek Golf Course. Nearly every family member learned to golf under his instruction.
John will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by Lillian, his wife of 71 years, from Boardman; and his daughters, Carol (John) Ginty of Olmsted Township and Marlene (Patrick) Sfara of Boardman. He was a progressive father who encouraged his daughters to pursue an education and to become independent. He cherished his five granddaughters and celebrated their successes with pride, including Andrea (Mark) Arnio, Ashley (Branden) Morales, Amanda (Joseph) Cleghorn, Sarah (Travis) Edington, and Emily (Trent) Lindsay. His favorite role was being "Poppy" to his 10 great-grandchildren, Emma, Ava, Cameron, Sophia, Addison, Ellie, Erin, Andrew, Finn and Maeve. He was also an uncle to many nieces and nephews. Family was the center of John’s life, and we are all blessed to have had him in our lives.
As the last of 14 siblings, he was preceded in death by brothers John, Michael (Janice), Joseph (Mary Lou), William (Kay), Thomas (Kay), Leonard (Kay) and sisters Petrunka, Helen, Mary, Kathryn (Frank) Rigelsky, Theresa (Tom) Schragal, Ann (Don) Long, and Dorothy (Richard still living) Lubanovic. He was also preceded in death by his infant granddaughter Sarah Ann Fryda and infant great-granddaughter Olivia Grace Arnio.
A Memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at St. Rose Church in Girard.
A private interment will be held at a later date.
John’s family is appreciative of all of the care provided by the staff at the Inn at Walker Mill and Ohio Living Hospice and for the services and aides provided by the Veteran’s Administration, especially Tina, who was devoted to John’s care. Rest in Peace John, you have earned it.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that material contributions be made to Olivia's Grace, c/o John Sefcik, 1010 Pawnee Lane, Girard, OH 44420, www.oliviasgrace.com/donate.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Kubina-Yuhasz Funeral Home.
(special notice)