Francis J. Wardega
Francis J. Wardega, age 79, passed away peacefully on Nov. 8, 2025, in hospice care at Burton Rehabilitation Center, surrounded by loved ones during his final days. He was well cared for by the VA hospital during his later years in life.
Francis was born on June 29, 1946.
He was an altar boy, seminarian, Army captain who served in Korea and a proud John Carroll University graduate. He was an advocate for renewal in the Catholic Church through Christ Renews His Parish, a priest in the Charismatic Episcopal Church and a missionary for Christ in Kenya and Tanzania.
Francis was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and a man who patiently tolerated the affection of his wife’s and children’s cats and dogs. He loved chatting with every grocery store checkout person he ever met and telling tall tales, some of which he called “true stories.”
Francis and his wife of 36 years, Patricia (nee Beaudry), loved camping, living in and visiting Michigan and visiting Georgia and Florida to spend time with their children and grandchildren there.
Francis was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Mary (nee Nagielski); and his sister Linda.
Survivors include brother, Robert (Patricia) Wardega; sisters Donne (Peter) Schmidt and Kathy (Edward) Medrick; his beloved wife, Patricia; the children they raised together in Russell Township, Frank (Natalie) Wardega, Jason Wardega, Mary (Jeff) Kolar, Anne (Joseph) Christensen, Elizabeth (Ryan) Palchik and Sara (Creighton) Kovacs; a blessed crop of grandchildren, Nicholas, Faith, Lauren, Jakob, Thomas Tobias, Thomas, Andrew, Noah, Gavin, Morgan, Kealyn, Emma, Lucas and Caiden; and great-grandchildren, James, Miles and Harrison.
A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at 10 a.m., at St. Anslem Catholic Church, 12969 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township, Ohio.
Private burial will be at Chester Township Cemetery.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, from 6-8 p.m., at Gattozzi and Sons Funeral Home, 12524 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland.
Memorial contributions may be made to the woundedwarriorproject.org. Share a fond memory or condolence at www.gattozziandson.com.
