Msgr. Michael E. Ronik

AUSTINTOWN - Monsignor Michael E. Ronik, 89, a resident of Humility House, passed away peacefully Friday evening, Feb. 5, 2016, at Hospice House in Poland.

Michael was born Sept. 6, 1926, a son of the late Michael and Mary Basista Ronik, and was a native of Newton Falls. 

He graduated from Newton Falls Elementary School and Newton Falls High School, and attended the University of Dayton and Indiana University at Bloomington before serving in the U.S Army Air Corps. In 1948 he entered St. Mary’s Seminary, St. Mary, Kentucky and concluded his seminary studies at Mount St. Mary of the West in Cincinnati.

He was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1957, by Bishop Emmet Walsh at St. Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral in Youngstown during the reconstruction of St Columba Cathedral. He was elevated to Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II in 2000 and received the title of Monsignor.

Following ordination, Monsignor Ronik served as assistant pastor at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Youngstown from 1957 to 1966, and at St. Matthias Parish from 1966 to 1970. He also served as pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Struthers from 1970 to 1989, and as pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Youngstown from 1989 until his retirement in 2001.

Monsignor Ronik also served as an advocate on the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal in 1970, served on the Diocesan School Board from 1970 to 1973, and was a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council from 1997 to 2001.

Monsignor is survived by his nieces and nephews, Pat Nadasky-Brown of Boardman, Kathy (Leon) Wedding-Ponikvar of Aurora, Thomas (Alice) Nadasky of Berlin Center, Jim (Marsha) Nadasky of Canfield, and Gregg (Lois) Wedding of Mentor; and his cousins Helen Kuhar of Austintown and Mike (June) Valko of Noblesville, Indiana.

Two sisters, Mary Ann Nadasky and Pauline Wedding, preceded him in death

Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at Holy Name of Jesus Church (Our Lady of Sorrows Parish), 613 North Lakeview Avenue, Youngstown, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated at 11 a.m., Thursday, with Most Reverend George V. Murry, Bishop of Youngstown.

Entombment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, 915 Cornell Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44507, in memory of Monsignor Michael Ronik.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown, Ohio.

"Zbohom," Dear Monsignor! (Go with God).