John L. Murnen

August 16, 1928 - June 13, 2009

John L. "Jack" Murnen, of Toledo, the patriarch of a tight-knit family that includes seven children, 18 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and shimmering memories of his late, beloved wife, Rita, died Saturday, June 13, 2009, at Parkcliffe Alzheimers Community, at the age 80. He was born August 16, 1928, in Toledo, and was the son of Ray Sr. and Kathryn Murnen. Jack's life revolved around his family, Rosary Cathedral, which he opened for morning mass every day for more than 25 years; Murnen's Mortgage Investors, a family business he operated with his three brothers; and youth sports. He also was active in the Toledo Diocese, heading numerous sacrificial giving campaigns. Jack served as the athletic director at Christ the King and coached in Toledo for 35 years, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of hundreds of boys and girls who played in CYO and Trilby Baseball Association leagues. The sports he coached included; cross country, track, baseball and his first love, basketball. For years, the basketball court in Jack's backyard on Kingsmoor Dr. was a place where neighborhood children congregated for spirited games of three-on-three. Until he suffered a stroke at age 60, Jack could be found on that court every weekend, juking younger, more athletic players into the air with his favorite "fake underscoop" shot. Basketball was a year-round sport in the Murnen household, with Jack often directing his children in the winter to begin shoveling and deicing the court as soon as they returned from church. Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Rita, parents, his brother, Tom, and sister, Mary Alice and sister-in-law, Helen. Survivors include his children, Anne (George) Kasbek, Mary Barry, John (Donna), Joe (Kay), Jim, Margaret (Ted) and Beth; and his brothers, Ray Jr., Dick (Ann) and sister-in-law Mary (Tom); 18 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild Friends may visit from 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 17th, at the ANSBERG-WEST FUNERAL HOME, 3000 Sylvania Avenue, (between Douglas and Secor Roads). Friends are also invited to visit from 9 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., Thursday, in Rosary Cathedral. Father Charles Singler will officiate. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, in Jack's memory, may be made to Rosary Cathedral or Heartland Hospice. The family would like to extend a personal thank you to Parkcliffe and Heartland Hospice, for the fine care they provided to Jack.