Henry “Hank” Svitak

Funeral services for Henry “Hank” Svitak were held Monday afternoon at the Herald Mennonite Church with burial following at the Herald Mennonite Cemetery.

Svitak died at the age of 91 in Cordell. He was born Feb. 14, 1924 in Washita, the son of Frank and Millie (Roller) Svitak. Svitak was born on the family farm in Washita in Caddo County and attended school there.

After high school, Svitak joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1941, and he also served in World War II with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific.

After the war, Svitak moved to Western Oklahoma where he worked for Bill Gover Chrystler/Ford in Clinton for more than 40 years.

He also owned and operated Hank’s Auto Repair in Bessie for more than 35 years. In addition to being a mechanic, he was the local furniture repair man and bicycle repair man for the children in the area.

He enjoyed farming and tending to his cattle. Svitak attended church at the Herald Mennonite Church in Bessie.

Preceding him in death were his parents; three brothers; and four sisters.

Survivors include a friend, Lorene Regier of Cordell; one sister, Lucy Horon, of Fort Smith, Ark.; and a host of nieces and nephews.