Submitted by: Nadine A. Hardin
Name: Schmok, Zachary Steven
Names in Obituary: Katona, Peterson, Schmok
Submitted by: Nadine A. Hardin
Zachary Steven Schmok (
Zachary Steven Schmok, 4½ months,
passed away at
His life began with an airplane ride to
Zachary is survived by his loving parents Steve & Suzette (Katona) Schmok, his adoring sister Tiffany Schmok, and his big brothers Adam & Anthony Schmok. Also surviving are his grandparents, Charles & Kay Schmok and Don & Suzanne Katona; uncles & aunts, John Katona, Jeff Katona, Scott & Shari Schmok, Kevin & Amy Schmok, and Ken & Dorothy Schmok; cousins, Logan, Dane, Jessica, Alexa, Brandon, Connor, Erica, Dorothy, & Jacqueline Schmok; and great grandmother, Cletys Peterson. He was preceded in death by his uncle Brian Katona.
During Zachary’s short time with us, he literally touched the lives of and made friends with the hundreds of people who were involved in his recovery. He had a smile that would melt the soul of anyone, both men and women, who walked into his room.
Because of his heart defect, the odds were against Zachary since before he was born. He was, however, a fighter and repeatedly bounced back from the struggles that were thrown at him. Zachary survived open heart surgery, nine days on an ECMO machine, a blood clot near his heart, “wet” lungs, three months on a ventilator, and three code blue episodes. He was referred to as our 3% baby since he continually experienced things that only 3% of babies would exhibit.
His brothers and sister loved to go see “Baby Zach” to hold him and rub him and love him. Zachary was a very good boy and will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He was an inspiration to everyone who knew him.
A private family service will be held.
Zahoran Funeral Home,