Ralph D Pataky, 64, of Indian Lake, Manistique, died Oct 9, 2001, at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in Manistique.
He was born Nov 13, 1936, in Alger, the son of William and Eleanor (Deno) Pataky. He attended the Moffett Township School and graduated from Sterling High School in the class of 1954.
On Dec 8, 1956, he married Florence E Finerty in West Branch. Ralph managed the Fuelgas Company in West Branch and Kalkaska and they moved to Manistique 10 years ago. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and the American Rifleman's Association. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodcarving, writing poems and singing.
He is survived by his wife, Florence of Manistique; son David (Marie) Pataky of Kalkaska; daughters, Karen Laing of Traverse City, and Diane (Tim) Hansen of Manistique; brother, Richard Pataky of Alger; sisters, Barbara (Doyle) Foor of Manistique, Norma (Frank) Wymore of St Paul, MN, and Shirley (William) Fitzpatrick of Coon Rapids, MN; sister in law, June Pataky of Twining; grandchildren, Heather, Timothy, and Thomas; special friend Ron Laing of Kalkaska; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sons Patrick Pataky in 1957 and Ron Pataky in 1994 and one brother, William Pataky, in 1970.
Visitation was at the Messier-Broullire Funeral Home in Manistique on Oct 12.
A funeral service followed with Mr. Frank Wymore officiating. Burial was in Brookside Cemetery at West Branch.
