MARK A. TAKATS

January 18, 1960 - February 7, 2021

Your passing at the age of 61, has left us all with heavy hearts. Mark was born on January 18, 1960, in Toledo, Ohio, to Elmer and Sylvia J. Takats.

He graduated from Rossford High School in 1978, where he excelled in football and track, and went on to the state level in track. In 1982, he graduated from Bowling Green State University with a BSBA.

He developed a love for bodybuilding at a young age and placed fourth in the Mr. Ohio contest and continued to lift weights until his passing.

He continued his schooling in Oklahoma, where he became an air traffic controller for the next 25 years, retiring in 2015. Mark was always called upon to work the days when the President of the United States flew into Toledo Express Airport, because he always guided them to a safe landing.

He followed college football and was a true Penn State fan. Riding his Harley Davidson was his relaxation. He always talked about getting a tattoo. His kids, sons-in-law, father and sister have them but we could never talk Mark, the muscle man, into one; we think he was scared.

He married Janelle (Lucio) on July 28, 1990, and she survives, along with their four children, whom Mark loved and cherished dearly, Hayley (Isaiah) Bevier of Toledo, Jordan Takats (Hannah Saba) of Toledo, Emily (Joshua) Bartlett of Colorado and Alayna (Eric) Luce of Japan; grandson, Braden and granddaughter, Lily, who was the apple of his eye and could not stand to be a day without her. He loved his big, furry dog, Bear, who could not stand to be without Mark. Also surviving is his father, Elmer Takats; sister, Shelley (John) Lawniczak; godparents, aunt Pat Malohn and cousin, Fred Janiszewski.

Mark was preceded in death by his mother, Sylvia Takats in 2015. Funeral services were held February 14 and 15, at Walker Funeral Home on Airport Highway, and Mark was laid to rest at Springfield Township Cemetery, under a blanket of freshly fallen snow.

Mark, your passing has left us all with tears, but in time, we know those tears will turn into smiles of memories of you.