Ralph M. Tajak, 83, of Natrona Heights passed away Saturday at the Concordia Lutheran Ministries, Cabot.

He was born Oct. 25, 1926, in Natrona, the son of the late Michael A. and Mary Ann Harenski Tajak.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Air Corps with the Headquarters Squadron, 313th Bombardment Wing.

Ralph retired as an examiner for the Pennsylvania Consumer Credit Bureau.

He was a member of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Parish, Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Natrona Heights, where he was a recent member of the finance council of the church and was an original member of the Christian Family movement of the church in the 1960s.

Ralph was a member of the Tarentum Elks, the VFW Post 894 in Natrona Heights and was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus in Oil City. He also was a volunteer at the food bank for the Alle Kiski Association of Churches.

Ralph enjoyed woodworking, his computer and was an avid Steelers fan.

He is survived by his children, the Rev. Ralph M. Tajak, OSB, St. Peters Church, Pittsburgh, North Side, and Tina Brown of Wichita, Kan., and her fiance, Jim Riggs; a sister, Patricia Smith of Natrona Heights; and a beloved friend, Dorothy Vojtko of Natrona Heights.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Cisek Tajak, on May 9, 2000; a brother, Andrew Tajak; and a sister, Joan Huth.

<B>TAJAK</B> — Friends of Ralph M. Tajak, who died Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the <B>CICHOLSKI-ZIDEK FUNERAL HOME</B>, 1522 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights, 724-224-8688, where a blessing service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 10 a.m. in the Most Blessed Sacrament Church with his son, the Rev. Ralph M. Tajak, OSB, as celebrant. Burial will be in the Mount Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights.Contributions in memory of Ralph may be made to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, 1526 Union Ave., Natrona Heights, PA 15065.To send an online condolence, please visit www.cicholski-zidekfh.com.