Irene D. "Inkie" Hornyak

YOUNGSTOWN - Irene D. “Inkie” Hornyak, 82, of the city’s west side, went home to be with the Lord late Thanksgiving afternoon, Nov. 23, 2017, at her home with her family by her side.

Irene was born Feb. 3, 1935, in Youngstown, the daughter of the late Andrew and Anna Benya Bush, and was a lifelong area resident.

She was a 1952 graduate of East High School, and was a loving and beloved homemaker, mother, grandmother, and wife. Irene also worked outside the home for Mahoning Bank as a bookkeeper and for Mr. Paul’s Bakery from 1980 to 2000, when she retired.

Irene was a faithful member of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, and belonged to the church choir, the Altar and Rosary Society, the Infant Jesus of Prague Guild, and the Our Lady of Sorrows Senior group. Mrs. Hornyak also cooked for the parish clergy during 40 Hours Devotions.
                    
A member of the Baker’s Union, Irene along with her husband established Hornyak's Milkshakes, beginning in 1988, which is to this day a fairgoer’s favorite for its ice cream delicacies and old-fashioned milkshakes.

Irene, affectionately known as “Bubby” to her grandchildren, leaves to cherish her precious memory a son, Richard Hornyak (Paula Phelps) of Coitsville; two daughters, Christine Hornyak (Hobie Butcher) of Salem and Carolyn Kirchner of Youngstown; five grandchildren, Nicholas Bryan of Salem, Christopher Bryan of Canfield, Erin (Adam) Coppock of Canfield, and Tristan and Trenton Kirchner of Youngstown; two sisters, Margaret Franklin of Girard and Kathy (Donald) Coppola of Struthers; and many nieces and nephews.

Irene’s beloved husband of 58 years, Edward C. Hornyak, whom she married May 21, 1955, passed away Jan. 15, 2014. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Edward Jr.; a daughter, Cynthia Hornyak; a grandson, Richard Jr.; a granddaughter by marriage, Bergen Bryan; and three sisters, Mary Ann Higgins, Sophie Gavozzi, and Eleanor Premec.

Irene’s family will receive friends on Monday, Nov. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown.

Prayers will begin at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at the funeral home, and will continue at 11 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, 252 E. Wood St., Youngstown, with the Rev. Gregory Fedor officiating.

Interment will follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, where Irene will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Ed.

“God saw she was getting tired,
and the cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around her
and whispered "Come with me."
With tearful hearts we watched
her fade away.
Although we loved her dearly,
we could not make her stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to
prove to us,
He only takes the best.”