Howard "Bill" Bratka, 83, of 731 Forest Ave. McConnelsville, passed away 4:40 p.m. Thursday, May 6, 2010 at the Genesis Good Samaritan Hospital in Zanesville.

He was born February 5, 1927 in Jacksonville, Ohio, to the late Julius Bratka and Lena Hartman Bratka. Bill owned and operated the Chatterbox Restaurant in McConnelsville from 1949 to 1993. He was an Army veteran of WWII and was a member of the American Legion Post #24 of McConnelsville and the V.F.W. Post #4713 of Malta.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Vera Fluharty Bratka; two great great nephews, Marcus and Kraig Davis of McConnelsville.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Hazel Bratka Evey; and three brothers, Elmer, Fred, and Vern Bratka.

Calling Hours will be held Sunday May 9, 2010 from 2:00-4:00 & 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Miller-Huck Funeral Home in McConnelsville. A funeral service will be Monday May 10, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Galen Finley officiating. Burial will be in McConnelsville Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the Morgan County Veterans Group. Memorial contributions may be made to the M.& M. Fire Dept. and E.M.S. 77 S. 4th St. McConnelsville. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.miller-huck.com