Steven K. Molnar's Obituary
Steven K. Molnar, age 81, of North Ridgeville, entered the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, December 14, 2023. He tried his best to live the Christian life before others and was a resident of Danbury Assisted Living in N. Ridgeville and the Joshua Tree in North Olmsted.
Steve was born in Lorain on July 25, 1942, to Steve and Barbara Molnar, attending schools in Lorain and Elyria. He was also a graduate of the National Radio Institute, Cleveland Institute of Electronics, and received a B.S degree from John Brown University of Siloam Springs, Arkansas (N. W. Arkansas), in 1967.
After graduation he proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam conflict and was a First-Class Petty Officer, serving from 1967 to 1973. While in the Navy, he was stationed on Oahu, Hawaii, as an Satellite Maintenance Technician at the Satellite Communications facility for two years, and then spent two years aboard the WW 2 Destroyer, USS Leary, DD879, as the leading Electronics Technician, which had had the home port of Norfolk, Virginia. Aboard the Leary they visited countries in the Mediterranean with the Leary participating in NATO activities and received an Honorable Discharge.
After his discharge he returned to his occupation as a Broadcast Engineer for several area radio and television stations. His last place of employment was TV Station WEWS-TV, Channel 5, in Cleveland where he was employed for 20 years as an engineer at the transmitter and studio. He enjoyed meeting celebrities when they visited the station. He was one of the engineers able to operate the station’s Satellite truck for the News stories and events for the station and ABC Network.
He was also a licensed amateur radio operator for over sixty years and held an Extra Class amateur radio license of the call letters of W8ANJ. He also held a First Class Radiotelephone license with the Radar endorsement, and a repairman avionics certificate from the FAA. Hobbies included photography, model airplanes and trains and antique radios. He also enjoyed shortwave and AM stations along with reading.
He was a member of NOARS (Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society), ARRL, the Quarter Century Amateur Society, and a member of SBE, AES, and an antique radio club along with membership in the American Legion and the Black River Stamp Club, and liked the Cleveland Guardians and the Cavs.
Steve was a member of the Christian Heritage Church in Avon, Ohio, and served on the church board, was an usher, and assisted in the children’s nursery alongside his wife, Donna. He occasionally attended Sugar Ridge Baptist and Faith Baptist Churches in North Ridgeville.
He is survived by his wife Donna; daughter Elizabeth (Christopher) Tidwell of Cranberry Township, PA; grandchildren Brooklyn, London and Scarlett; their Puli, Sydney; nephew, Richard (Tonya) Stillwell of North Ridgeville; great nieces, great nephews, and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by parents Steve and Barbara Molnar; sister Nancy J. Stillwell.
Funeral Service Tuesday, December 19 at 11:00 a.m. at the Christian Heritage Assembly of God Church, 36465 Chester Rd., Avon 44011, where family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Rev. Jeffrey Phail will officiate. Memorial gifts may be given to the Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse, or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Steve would like to express a deep-felt appreciation for the assistance given him during the time spent in his later years in hospitals and nursing homes. The nurses, staff and others provided outstanding care while he was at their facilities. They were a real blessing to him, and he made many friends. May God bless each one. Hope to see each one in heaven.
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