Henry Joseph Koniarski was born 26 September 1919 in Kent, Portage County, Ohio, the 2nd son of Felix and Mary Rockwell Koniarski, and was raised in Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio, until the age of 15, when the family moved to Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio.

Henry was just 5 years old when his 3 year old Little Sister, Genevieve Anna, died in 1924. While their father was at work, their Mother went out to feed the chickens. Little Genevieve climbed up onto the cook stove and "caught on fire". The newspaper account says that she was playing with matches, & that her clothes caught on fire. Their Mother came in from doing the chores, and frantically tried to smother the flames. Neighbors heard their Mother screaming, and came running, but there was nothing any one could do, but to get the Little girl to the hospital as quickly as was possible. She died within 3 hours of the Severe Burns she sustained. Their older brother, Stanley was just 8 years old. Henry Never Forgot about his Little Sister, Genevieve Anna, even 75 PLUS years after the incident.

Henry enlisted in the U.S. Army on 11 April 1942, and he attained the Rank of Private First Class (PFC), and was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, months AFTER the devastating attack. He was an Army Cook.

On 28 November 1946, Henry married Gladys Mae Smith, and together, they had a son & a daughter, and made their home in Amherst. Henry worked at Bendix Corp in Elyria, for 12 years before it closed, and then went to work for Ford Motor Co. in Lorain, retiring in 1980, after 18 years. He enjoyed taking care of his garden & fruit trees and learned all sorts of tips and tricks to make fruits, vegetables, and flowers beautiful. Family & friends were the grateful recipients of the "fruits" of his labor.

It was RARE to find Henry without his Trademark Mustache, or when out of doors, his "cap". He had several colors of caps to choose from, but usually preferred his black ones.

After retring, Henry & Gladys moved to Wellington, Ohio. They enjoyed visiting family and friends, long country drives, and dining out. But Henry also enjoyed Cooking and too often made enough food to feed an ARMY. He also enjoyed baking cakes.

Henry had to be "Professional Wrestling's" BIGGEST Fan, as well as being a huge fan of the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Browns.

In 1994, Henry & Gladys got a Puppy, of Uncertain Parentage, which they named PORKY. It might be said that Porky was half Black Lab & Half Black Angus. Gladys often joked that Henry Cared MORE for the dog than he did for her. That wasn't quite true. Henry took very good care of Gladys during her illness in the last years of her life. Gladys preceded Henry in death on 05 August 1999. Henry died on 20 December 2003 in Wellington, Lorain Co. Ohio.

U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: Henry J Koniarski
Birth Year: 1919
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: Ohio
State of Residence: Ohio
County or City: Lorain
Enlistment Date: 11 Apr 1942
Enlistment State: Ohio
Enlistment City: Cleveland
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency,
plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source: Civil Life
Education: Grammar school
Civil Occupation: Semiskilled occupations in fabrication of metal products, n.e.c.
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 69

Weight: 162

From: The Morning Journal:
Sunday, December 21, 2003 3:00 AM EST

Henry J. Koniarski
WELLINGTON -- Henry J. Koniarski, 84, of Wellington, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2003,
at Elms Nursing Home following a brief illness.

He was born Sept. 26, 1919, in Kent and was a Wellington resident for the last 12 years, moving from Amherst.

Koniarski was a U.S. Army veteran.

He was employed for the Bendix Corporation for 12 years and retired from Ford Motor Co., Lorain, after 18 years.

He was a member of Park Avenue United Methodist Church, Amherst, and enjoyed bowling, gardening, wrestling, baseball, football and his dog.

Survivors include a daughter, Linda Phillips of Oberlin; son, Bruce Koniarski of Pittsfield; brothers Stanley of Richmond, N.Y., and Felix of Elyria; and five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys (nee Smith), in 1999; mother, Mary (nee Rockwell) Koniarski; and sister, Genevive Koniarski.

Friends may call Monday from 10 a.m. until time of service at noon at Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South St., Vermilion. The Rev. Karen Heyburn, pastor of Park Avenue United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will follow at Brownhelm Cemetery. The Amherst Veterans Military Honor Guard will conduct graveside services.

U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2006
Name: Henry J Koniarski
Service Info.: PFC US ARMY
Birth Date: 26 Sep 1919
Death Date: 20 Dec 2003
Cemetery: Brownhelm Cemetery
Cemetery Address: 1155 Reid Ave Vermilion, OH 44089

NOTE: The Cemetery is located at the intersection of North Ridge Road & Sunnyside Road, about two miles east of Baumhart Road; south of State Rt. 2, AKA Interststae 90, (NOT I-80--which is the turnpike) The grave is located at the NORTH/BACK end of the cemetery, close to the gravelled drive, closer to the exit than to the bend.
There is an upright "Koniarski" headstone as well as Henry's Military Marker.