Nicholas J Bodnar

ATHENS—Nicholas J. Bodnar, formerly of Athens, passed away December 2, 2015, in Lansing, Michigan. He was 71. Nick was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1944. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Mary Bodnar, and his brother, First, Lt. Joseph A. Bodnar, who was killed in Vietnam. He is survived by his Columbus, Ohio family, including his sister, Irene (James) Heiberger, his nephews and niece, Christopher (Shana) Heiberger, Julia (Jeff) Mollett, James (Andrea) Heiberger, great nieces and nephews, Alex (Johanna) Heiberger, Allison Heiberger, Skylar Mollett, Emma Heiberger, Genevieve Heiberger, and great-grandniece Scout Heiberger. Nick and his parents began an amazing odyssey to America when Nick was six months old in 1945. It was more like the Great Escape, as the small family dodged bombs, ran for trains, slept in shelters and gradually left all possessions behind except what was needed by the baby. They made it to Germany and lived there for three years, where Mary and Joseph had two more children, Joe and Irene. The family came to America in 1950 via a US Army transport ship. Nick grew up in Athens, Ohio. He served in Vietnam, was honorably discharged and moved to Lansing, Michigan. He worked in the auto industry for over thirty years. Nick had a great thirst for knowledge and an amazing memory to go with it. His understanding of history, provided all of us with an enriched perspective about how events unfolded that went way beyond what we learned by rote. He was loved by everyone because he was kind, generous, had a good sense of humor, and was very interesting. He will be greatly missed. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Hughes-Moquin Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday December 12, at noon at Christ the King Catholic Church with Father Mark Moore officiating. Immediately after mass, there will be a graveside service at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, where Military Services will be conducted by the American Legion Post 21, Athens VFW Post 3477 and Albany VFW Post 9893. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors or to a Veteran of your choice. Friends and family may sign the online guestbook or leave a private message of sympathy at www.hughesmoquinfuneralhome.com.