Joseph Charles Halovanic, chemist by profession, foodie by nature, and husband to Patricia Makuta Halovanic (Sept 1, 1942 - Feb 12, 2003) passed away on February 26th, 2020 after being told last April that he had just days to live. He spent those 330 days to the fullest and out of stubbornness. He often said he would live forever, and Joe proved that sheer force of will could overcome almost anything. His family, Kristina and Charles Vos, Joseph and Erin Halovanic, Maria Halovanic and David Zeller, Alexander Halovanic and Brittnay Peters, and Katherine and Kyle Robertson; his grandchildren, Natasha and Danny Halovanic, Audrey and Greta Zeller; and his siblings, Ronald Halovanic and Lorraine Wolf, are grateful for the extra time spent with him.
Joe, who was born June 1, 1942 was a colorful figure, a loud singer, and a friend to cats. He also loved a good joke, which he would tell often. He was known for ripping phone books in half with his bare hands and his fabulous Easter feasts. He had a severe sweet tooth, and he shared his candy by the bucketful with his grandchildren. In the latter part of his life he traveled the world with his friend Beverly O'Donnell, enjoying world cuisines and sharing obscure pictures without context of the things he had seen.
Joe was an amateur astronomer, and while he chose to major in Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh, he still attended lectures at the planetarium in Cleveland where he lived, and instilled in his children a love for Nova, cooking shows and all things PBS.
Joe passed peacefully on his own terms, in Columbus, Ohio, after enjoying a glass of whiskey and his favorite treat of peanut M&Ms. We believe he's now touring an even larger and more amazing world than the one we know, and that he's telling his favorite jokes to old and new friends alike. We lift our glasses to you, Dad.
Interment Lake View Cemtery. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 a.m. Monday at Church of The Gesu.
FRIENDS MAY CALL AT THE MAHER MELBOURNE FUNERAL HOME, 5236 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst, OH (East of Richmond Rd.)
on Monday Morning from 9-10 a.m.
Donations can be made in Joe's name to WVIZ, his favorite PBS station,or Hospice of Central Ohio and the Hospice of the Western Reserve.