Catherine "Katie" Vaculik

Name: Catherine "Katie" Vaculik

Calling Hours: Wednesday, December 9th from 2 to 8 pm at Weigel Funeral Home in Metamora

Service Hours: Thursday, December 10th at 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church Assumption

Catherine A. “Katie” Vaculik, age 100, of Metamora, Ohio, entered into eternal life, Saturday, December 5, 2009, surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 2, 1909 to John and Anna (Slovak) Hornacek. Katie loved the hillside and mountains where she was born in Velka, Czechslovakia.

She came to America in 1923 at age 13. Later on, she began working for a local attorney and his family cooking, cleaning, and babysitting. In April of 1928, she married Czech immigrant Joseph Vaculik and moved to Ohio, Michigan, and finally, rural Metamora, where she was a homemaker, helping her husband work on the farm and raising her family.

Katie enjoyed cooking and baking for family, as well as friends. At Eastertime, she baked and sold “Bunny” cakes and baked Czech goodies for priests and nuns at St. Mary’s Parish in Assumption, Ohio.

After her husband died in 1973, she eventually moved to Metamora, Ohio and kept busy making Czech outfits for dolls and making beaded baskets with friends. She enjoyed the friendship of the Czech Polka Club with their dances and cooking. Katie loved watching the sunsets, looking at flowers, polka dances, traveling, taking casino trips, and talking and laughing with her loving family and friends. The many trips to N. Carolina and Texas were among her favorite.

She will be remembered for many things including her infectious smile, her helping hands, and the care and compassion demonstrated in so many ways, including being a caregiver for the sick.

Katie was a life-member of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Ladies Auxiliary, and Czech Dancers Polka Club.

She is survived by her children, Frank (Barb) Vaculik, of Metamora, OH, Ed Vaculik of Toledo, OH, John Vaculik of Swanton, OH, Vivian Meleski of Chappell Hill, TX, Helen (Larry) Hesterman of Ridgeville Corners, OH, Lydia (Ken) Robertson of Jasper, MI; and Judy (Dave) Frey of Miamisburg, OH; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; sister, Ann Hmiel of Cranberry Twp., PA; special friends, Irene Warniment, Nancy Weigel, Brad Iffland, Eva Rosebrock; and caregivers, Sally Simon, Gail Gormley, Betty Kovar, and Tammy Peters.

Besides her husband Joe, Katie was preceded in death by her son, Joe; daughter, Bessie; daughters-in-law, Kathy and Donna; son-in-law, Florian; grandsons, Phil and Greg; and 4 great-great- grandchildren.

Friends and family may visit Wednesday, December 9th from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home in Metamora, where a Scripture service will be held at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Resurrection will be held Thursday, December 10th at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Assumption, where visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass. Fr. Ron Schock will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Metamora Fire & Rescue, Ridgeville Corners Fire & Rescue, Holy Trinity School, Hands of Grace, or Fairfield Fire Dept. in Weston, MI.

Residence: Metamora, Ohio

Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Assumption