Joseph Zoldak

AUSTINTOWN - A prayer service will be held on Friday at 9:15 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, for Mr. Joseph S. Zoldak who died Sunday afternoon at the Hospice House, surrounded by his family.

Joe was born Nov. 27, 1956, in Youngstown, a son of Joseph and Donna (Szymanski) Zoldak.

He was a 1974 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School. Joe had worked for 35 years for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 2013. He was currently working at Sam's Club in Niles and he loved his job.

Joe was a member of the church, where he also served as an altar server, greeter and helped with the Anointing Mass Meal. He had been president of the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Joseph Church and also served on the board of directors of St. Vincent DePaul Society Mahoning County. He was also a member of the N.E. Ohio Camaro Club. Joe was an avid golfer and member of the Men's Falcon League for 35 years. On Aug. 18, 2009, at Lakeside Golf Course, he got a hole in one. He liked to play poker on Friday nights with his best friends for the last 43 years. Joe was a diehard Notre Dame fan since he was young and enjoyed his last trip to South Bend rooting on the Fighting Irish.

Joe was married to the love of his life, Esmeralda "Bonnie" Zoldak (Gutierrez), whom he married June 30, 2007, although they have been together for 31 years.

He leaves his wife, Bonnie; daughter Sara Rudolphi of Youngstown; son Joseph E. Zoldak of Columbus; and his sister, Christina (Mark) Sheppa of Solon, their son, Joseph and his wife, Sarah (Lovequist) Sheppa, and their daughter, Gwendolyn Sheppa. He also leaves five sisters-in-law, Socorro (Gary) West, Angelita (Lawrence) Poracky, Evangeline (Joseph) Hnat, Guadulupe (Alfredo) Crispin and Sulema (Luis) Garcia; five brothers-in-law, Leonardo (Shirley) Gutierrez, Antonio (Vicki) Gutierrez, Roy (Janet Conroy) Gutierrez, Ramon Gutierrez and Fidel (Sue Bebe) Gutierrez; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Joe cherished his special bond with his great-niece, Solana Jackson. He also leaves behind his beloved dog, Jack.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Donna Zoldak; his mother-in-law, Orline Gutierrez; father in-law Juan G. Gutierrez; and his brother-in-law, Juanito and his wife, Sharyn Gutierrez.

Friends may call on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel.