Stephen Joseph Straka

In Loving Memory

Stephen J. “Bud” Straka

October 30, 1942 – October 17, 2026

Life Sketch

Stephen J. “Bud” Straka, 83, of Grafton, passed away at home on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with his wife by his side. Stephen was born on October 30, 1942, on Cleveland's East Side, to Steven and Carmella (Ragusa) Straka.

Steve completed the twelfth grade and joined the Army at 17, serving from October 30, 1959, to 1962. During his service, he went to Japan, and he was honorably discharged.

Steve was a retired machinist. He worked as a supervisor at Hy-Level Industries in Strongsville for over 30 years.

Stephen is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Florence Naomi Straka of Grafton; his son, Rich Straka of Columbus; his sisters, Susan Villwock, Esther Scanlon (the late Dennis), and Norma "Cookie" Myers (the late William); his brother, William Straka (Lynn); eight grandchildren (three grandsons and five granddaughters); one great-grandson and one great-granddaughter; and his nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Tom and Steven Jr.; his parents, Steven and Carmella (Ragusa) Straka; and his sisters, Elayne Baum and Barbara Straka.

Tribute from His Wife

The Life We Shared

Steve “Bud” and I met online in 2005 and talked for over a year before he came to Ghana. We were married on December 19, 2006, and I came to the States in 2008. My biggest challenge when I got to the States was the food. Steve had me try almost every food, but I couldn’t eat anything except his homemade mashed potatoes with pork chops and his pot roast.

For six months, that was all I could eat, and I got tired of it until we found Ghanaian stores in Columbus. We went to Columbus two to three times a year just to buy Ghanaian food.

After that, I said, “Steve, I don’t want to see or smell mashed potatoes and pork chops again!” He loved home cooking, so he cooked American food, and I cooked my Ghanaian food. Though he wasn’t used to Ghanaian food, he still tasted it. That’s how amazing and loving Steve was to me.

Steve was a handy, skilled man whose favorite hobbies were fixing and building things around the house. He built our front porch and back deck. He taught me how to drive, paint, put air in a car tire, lay tiles in our bathroom, and much more. He was an incredible man, and he will be dearly missed.

Steve, as I called him, was a lovely husband and a hardheaded man. When he set his mind on something, nothing could change it, so I let him have his way until his idea didn’t work; then we came back and tried mine.

Our years together have been a blessing from God. I can say that because even when we disagreed, we never insulted, yelled at, degraded, or shamed one another; instead, we compromised and apologized when we realized our own mistakes and offenses. We were blessed to grow and to live in harmony and peace, with humility and respect for one another.

Our life together was simple but full of contentment, and I thank the Lord for giving me a husband like Steve, who changed my life in ways I never thought possible.

Steve, thank you for the care, love, freedom, peace, support, and so much more that you showed me every day. I have no regrets, only peace; you did everything you could. The house is quiet without you, but you are in a better place with the Lord, and you can finally “get your new body,” as you always asked!

The Last Dinner Steve Prepared

Steve could cook. The last meal he prepared for us was pot roast, because he knew how much I loved it. After spending the whole month of March in the hospital and rehab, we came home. Around May, he gave me a list of pot roast ingredients to buy and asked me to prep them for him. I prepped them and went to bed, and when I got up the next morning, dinner was cooking in the crockpot. Even with his health, he was determined to make us dinner.

The Joke We Shared

Every day, whether I was leaving the house or coming home from work, I asked Steve if he needed anything, and he said, “Get me a new body.” That became our everyday joke.

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory.” — Philippians 3:20–21

A Message from the Family

The family of Stephen “Bud” Straka wishes to express heartfelt appreciation for your prayers, love, support, and presence during this difficult time.

May God richly bless you.

Funeral Service

Friday, October 30, 2026—what would have been Steve’s 84th birthday.

The family will receive friends 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home 38475 Chestnut Ridge Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035 where funeral services will be at 12:30PM immediately following visitation.

Officiating: Dr. Pastor Elijah Wreh, Senior Pastor, The Anointed Church of Jesus Christ

Interment: Brookdale Cemetery  Elyria, Ohio 

Refreshments After Burial: Refreshments will be served after the burial at The Anointed Church of Jesus Christ, 6119 West River Road South, Elyria, Ohio 44035.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to The Anointed Church of Jesus Christ, 6119 West River Road South, Elyria, Ohio 44035.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.laubenthalmercado.com.