Andy Pavlenda, 87, of Elyria passed away Monday August 13, 2012 at the Lifecare Center of Elyria following a brief illness. He was born January 9, 1925 in Arnold, PA. and was a Elyria resident for most of his life. Andy was a United States Postal Service letter carrier in downtown Elyria, from which he retired. He was a very active member of Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Lorain. He served in the United States Navy during W.W. II, serving as a aviation radioman 2/C in the Pacific. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 1079 and the American Legion Post 12. Other than his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Andy was most proud of his community and volunteered at every opportunity. He played a major role in bringing Little League programs to Elyria East and growing the programs at Elyria West. He served as a coach, umpire, and referee for countless youth sports games. Andy was instrumental in the development of the baseball program at Elyria Catholic High School, serving as the first coach for many years. He and his wife Mary transported student athletes, washed uniforms, provided meals, helped with studies, and gave encouragement to these young men. Andy was inducted into the Elyria Sports of Fame in 1984. The past several years Andy has been a resident in the independent living facility at the Abbewood. He enjoyed the residents and staff and kept everyone on their "A" game. Survivors include his daughter Bonnie (Don) Hobgood; son, John (Marsha nee-Oliver) Pavlenda; grandchildren, Allison Hobgood PhD. (husband, Fred Scnell), Sarah Hobgood MD. (husband, Kris Johnson), and Andrew R. Pavlenda; great grandchildren, Alexa, Harper, and Eli; sister, Anna Valach; brother-in law, John Vanco (wife, Claire). He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary (nee-Vanco) in 1993, and parents, John and Susan (nee-Hrevic) Pavlenda. The family will receive friends on Thursday 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Service 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. (at State Rt. 57), Elyria. Services will be Friday at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home. The Rev. Edgar Anthony will Officiate. Burial will be at Brookdale Cemetery, Elyria. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org) P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, KS. 66675 or to the World War II Honor Flight Network (honor flight.org) Attn: Dianne Gresse 300 E. Auburn Ave. Springfield, OH. Service: 10:00 AM Friday August 17, 2012 Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Service 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. Elyria, OH. Visitation: 4:00-7:00 PM Thursday August 16, 2012 Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Service 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. Elyria, OH.