Maria Erlacher

Maria Manko Erlacher, 92, long-time Rocky River resident peacefully passed away on June 8, 2015 in Lancaster, OH, where she lived for nine years. Born to Julia & Jozsef Manko in Nyirbogat, Hungary on September 5, 1922. In 1944 during WWII in Budapest, she met Alois, who helped her flee to Austria, where they married in 1946. In 1954, they moved to Montreal, Canada and immigrated to Cleveland, OH in 1960. They resided in Lakewood, OH for 15 years and in Rocky River 28 years. Their love of travel took them to 45 states and numerous family reunions in Europe.

Maria will be lovingly remembered by her devoted husband of 69 years, Alois; daughters Maria Parks (Lee) of Bay Village, OH, Margie Dudgeon (Bill) of Alexandria, OH and Evi Mathewson (Dr. Roger) of Lancaster, OH; grandchildren Ryan PhD (Birke), of Madison, WI and Lisa of Columbus, OH; and sister Juliska Biro of Hungary.

Maria’s Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) faith was most important to her. She was a long-time member of the Lakewood SDA Church and a founding member of the Westlake SDA Church. She sang in the church choir and was a Sabbath School teacher for more than 40 years. Speaking three languages (Hungarian, German, and English), she interpreted church sermons and helped many immigrants who escaped Communism.

Maria loved to sew, expertly creating and altering clothes. She worked as a seamstress at Pier W Restaurant and then became owner of Fashion Kare Valet in The Carlyle Apartments. She loved God, her church, family and friends and was a kind, caring, giving, generous person. She enjoyed gardening and was an outstanding cook. Her many talents were truly appreciated and will be greatly missed.

Calling hours will be 11:00 am, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 12:00 pm on Sunday, July 12 at the Westlake Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 2335 Columbia Road, Westlake, OH. Entombment was held in Sunset Memorial Park. Arrangements are being handled by the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 405 N. COLUMBUS ST., LANCASTER, OH 43130.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in memory of Maria to the Alzheimer’s Association,
P. O. Box 74924, Cleveland, OH 44194-4924
To send an online condolence, and , please visit www.funeralhome.com.