Wasko Funeral Home
Michael K. Kmetz, 54
Struthers: Michael Karl Kmetz, 54 of Struthers, passed away on the afternoon of Feb. 10, 2010 due to a sudden heart attack. Calling hours will be Mon., Feb. 15th from 5-8pm at the Wasko Funeral Home in Campbell. A funeral service will be held on Tues., Feb. 16th at 9:30am at the Wasko Funeral Home and 10am in St. Lucy Parish in Campbell.
Michael was born July 16, 1955 in Campbell. He was the son of Audrey and the late John Kmetz. He graduated from Campbell Memorial High School in 1973, and later married his high school sweetheart, Deborah Cunning Kmetz. Michael and his wife would have had their thirty-fourth wedding anniversary this July. Upon their marriage, they resided in Campbell. In 2001, they moved to Struthers.
Michael is a member of St. Lucy Roman Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He worked for over 25 years in the lawn-care
business, and owned his own lawn-care and snow-removal company,
ProGreen Lawn & Landscape; which he created and built alone, pouring his heart and soul into every aspect of the company. There were not many men as selfless and hardworking as he. Michael devoted all he had to his wife, daughters, and family. No matter how terribly long the hours in his workday, even if he was not feeling well, his family says he always went the “extra mile” to do anything and everything for them….no matter how tired he was. He truly was the glue that held his family together.
His interests included golf, travel (especially Disney World), Cleveland sports, and spending time with family. His favorite movie was the holiday classic, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, and this past year, he took great pleasure in cutting down his own fourteen foot Christmas tree with his family!
Michael is survived by his wife Deborah, 54 his two daughters, Melissa, 29 and Kristin, 24; his mother Audrey; his brothers, Ken and John; his sister Christine; his cousin Kim, and their spouses. In his death, through organ donation, he gave the gift of sight to two; he helped a child burn victim; a female needing reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy, and 50 to 60 cancer patients with his bone/connective tissue.
Michael truly gave meaning to the phrase, “It’s not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years.” In his short lifetime, Michael gave more to his family and all who knew him than most people give in an entire lifetime; and his memory will live on in the hearts of those who love him forever. His wife and daughters share, “he was the most loving husband, father and son anyone could dream of”, and his daughters explain that they hope to one day be even half the person he was.
The Kmetz family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home in Campbell, Ohio.
Guest Book
Melissa & Family,
I am sorry for your loss. Melissa, realize your school family is here and we help you in any way we can. May wonderful memories help you during these difficult days.
Scott Taylor
LES Principal
Aunt Debbie and family I am sorry to hear about Uncle Mike. You are in our thoughts and prayers!
Bill, Marlo and Kids!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May the words in Job 14:13-15 be of hope and comfort to you.
Debbie, I am sorry to hear of Mike’s passing, I always enjoyed chatting with him when I was in town. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Although these are difficult times you will always have the memories the two of you shared together.
Debbie, Melissa, Kristin, Aunt Audrey and Family,
We are so deeply saddened by the loss of Michael. He was a bright light in our family tree who led by example and his presence will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve his loss.
Aunt Betty, Pam, Joan and Families
Mike called to bid on our snow plowing job. I sensed he was a good person. When Deborah called to say that Mike was ill and could not plow the 20 inches of snow I knew these were special people. After reading this obituary and Mike’s final act of love for his fellow humans I was proud that we hired him. I felt sad all week about his illness but now feel the joy of knowing that God will bless this man and his family. Without our belief in God, life and death would not matter. Mike’s life mattered.
Sincerely, Tom Reedy less79
To the Kmetz Family,
I am truly sorry for you loss. I worked with Mike for 14 years at ChemLawn and I can’t think of a better person than him. He was always happy, always smiling and always willing to help anyone who needed it. He honestly made coming in to work a joy, and I was always happy to see him there. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
I am so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of working with Mike at Trugreen in Pittsburgh-he went out of his way to help me even if it meant his work or reports would be late.He was truly one of a kind and I feel lucky to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Aunt “Pudge”... I just learned of Michael’s passing and wanted to let you know that you and your Family are in my thoughts and prayers. Although I never really got to know Michael… I have no doubt he was a Special man. Marlene
We knew Michael long ago while we were attending Youngstown State University with his older brother, John.
Of course, he was just a teenager then, but a very pleasant and kind person. He always made a good impression from such an early age.
The Kmetz family have always been very special to us.
Mom Audrey is the best there is.
Our sincere condolences to the entire family.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Ken and Cheryl Booth
Republic of South Africa