Edward R. Sarna

Edward “Ed” R. Sarna, age 85, of New Philadelphia died on Monday, August 22, 2016 at his home.

Ed was born on June 23, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan, the youngest of nine children of the late Gregory George and Victoria (Machowska) Sarna.

He graduated from Chadsey High School in Detroit, and went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War, where he was stationed in Germany. Upon his return home, he worked as a welder for Whitehead & Kales Company in River Rouge, Michigan.

Six years prior to retirement, he worked as a custodian at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan. There he was known as the “Singing Custodian” by the students and staff. Ed retired in 1996 and with his beloved wife, the former Helen Clara Gaudreau, they moved to New Philadelphia.

Ed was a lifetime member of the New Philadelphia VFW Post 1445. He was also a faithful member of Sacred Heart Parish, and he had a great love for music, and especially singing.

He is survived by his dear wife, Helen; a son, Paul (Stacey) Pribble of Michigan; a grandson, Gregory, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Ed was preceded in death by seven brothers, Stanley, John (Helen), Joseph (Ann), Andrew (Wanda), George, Walter (Marge), and Ted (Joan) Sarna; and a sister, Helen (Harold) Hefferton.

The family will greet guests on Thursday, August 25, 2016 from 5-7 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where a Christian Wake Service will begin at 6:45 PM. Father Tyron Tomson will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Friday, August 26, 2016 at 1:30 PM. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following services, all are invited to join the family for a luncheon in St. Ambrose Hall, adjacent to Sacred Heart Church.

The family asks that memorial contributions be directed to Mercy High School, 29300 W Eleven Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 139 3rd St NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.