Karol "Charlie" Dratwa

Karol "Charlie" Dratwa, age 82, of Mentor for the past 43 years, and formerly of Willowick and Pierpont, died Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at home surrounded by his family. He was born Nov. 11, 1929, in Cleveland.

Mr. Dratwa was a retired insurance inspector for Royal Insurance Company.
Karol was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War. He served on the USS Philippine Sea during the war. He was a lifetime member of V.F.W. Post 7754 in Fairport Harbor. Charlie loved to dance and especially loved the Slovenian Waltz. He also enjoyed gardening, traveling and sports.
Mr. Dratwa loved to spend time with his family especially his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Ruth M. (Simak) Dratwa; children, David K. Dratwa of Painesville, Kelly Schoenfeld of Painesville, Karen (Todd) Bruckman of Kingsville and Kym Rock of Ashtabula; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Campbell of Tennessee; and brother, John (Jessie) Dratwa of Ashtabula.

Karol was preceded in death by his first wife, Althea (Kendall) Dratwa; daughter, Karen Bolden; parents, Michael and Tilly Dratwa; three sisters; and four brothers.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, February 3, 2012 at Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor.
Online obituary at www.brunners.com.