Mark Robert Kraynak
Mark Robert Kraynak, 23, of Uniontown, Pa. Family and friends mourn the loss of Mark Robert Kraynak of Uniontown Pa. He was born on March 5, 1982, in Uniontown.
Leaving behind to cherish his memory are his parents, Frank Kraynak of Uniontown, Pa., and Janice Harshman Kraynak of Millville, N.J. Also very special friends, Betsy Hanzes and sons Michael and Steve Hanzes.
Mark was a decorated veteran with the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army and was awarded the Purple Heart in 2003 after being wounded in action while participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Mark will be remembered as a highly-motivated young man. At the age of 15, he began working after school and on weekends to achieve the goals he set for himself, while also maintaining his academic grades as a student-athlete and playing on the Laurel Highlands High School football and track teams. Mark graduated from Laurel Highlands High School in 2000 and after serving with the United States Army in Iraq, he completed his freshman year at Penn State. He was scheduled to begin his sophomore year at Penn State Fayette this fall. Mark was named to the Dean’s List his freshman year and was majoring in business administration determined to achieve his goal of starting his own business upon graduation from college.
Mark was a member of the American Legion of Uniontown, Pa., since August 2003.
Also surviving are his sister, Megan Pletcher, a nephew, “Little Willie”, a brother Matt Shirocky, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, his girlfriend Kayla Butorac, and many dear friends.
He was predeceased by a brother, Francis, grandparents, Robert and Gladys Harshman, John and Ruth Kraynak, and two uncles, John Kraynak III and William T. Neil.
Friends will be received in the RALPH E. GALLEY FUNERAL HOME, Dawson, Pa., Tuesday, September 13, 2005, from 2 to 9 p.m.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, September 14, 2005, at 11 a.m. in the Vanderbilt Church of Christ, Walnut Street, Vanderbilt, Pa., with the Rev. Richard Schimansky officiating. Interment will follow in Dickerson Run Cemetery. (Please go directly to the church.)
Military Rites will be held at the gravesite by the American Legion Post 51 and the V.F.W. Post 8543 of Uniontown, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to your favorite charity.