COLUMBUS
Anthony “Tony” Joseph Moravec, 72, of Columbus, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Tony was born October 3, 1950, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Frank Joseph and Evelyn Ruth Howard Moravec, Jr. Tony Moravec was Chairman of Blairex Laboratories, Inc. in Columbus, Indiana and the co-founder of Applied Laboratories, Inc. In addition, Mr. Moravec also owned Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum, and was a principal in the Upland Brewing Company of Bloomington, Indiana.
Originally from Illinois, Mr. Moravec earned his Bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University and received an honorary degree from Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana in 2012. In 1990, he and his company received the Entrepreneur of the Year award from the state of Indiana as an emerging Entrepreneur. In 2009, he received the Company of the Year award from the Columbus Chamber of Commerce for his renovation and restoration of Zaharakos. In 2011, Tony received the Indiana University Bloomington Provost’s Medal. In 2016, he received an award from Indiana Landmarks for the restoration of the Columbus Pump House. Also in 2016, Tony was honored by receiving the Presidents Circle Laurel Pin and the Partners in Philanthropy Cornerstone Award from Indiana University.
Tony donated his personal collection of the works of Old Master drawings, including a series of scenes from the New Testament, to the IU Eskenazi Art Museum, making it the third largest repository of such drawings in the world. In addition to supporting the museum’s collections, Tony’s generosity led to the IU Eskenazi Art Museum becoming the first university museum in the Big Ten to receive an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation endowment for a senior academic officer position in 2012.
Tony established scholarships at the Heritage Fund of Bartholomew County, Inc., Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College. He was a board member of the National Advisory Board of the IU Eskenazi Art Museum and past State Trustee for Ivy Tech Community College.
Survivors include his children, Amanda (Craig) Skelton of Indianapolis, Ryan (Annette) Moravec of Columbus, Matthew (Elena) Moravec of Utah, Christina (Brian) Ventura of Bloomington, Dr. Katherine (Warren Allen) Moravec of North Carolina, Dr. Leah (Thomas Teney) Moravec of Indianapolis, Dr. Patricia (Hamish) Moravec Cuthbertson of Bloomington; siblings, Evelyn Moravec of Colorado, Joseph Moravec of Illinois, Frank (Sue) Moravec of Missouri, John (Jeannie) Moravec of Illinois, Michael (Alice) Moravec also of Colorado, Rebecca (Steve) Richter of Illinois, Rick (Pam) Moravec of Missouri, Steve Moravec of Illinois, Regina Moravec of Missouri; grandchildren, Andrew, Samuel, Gavin, Harper and John Henry Skelton, Zane, Van and Guy Moravec, Freya Cuthbertson, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law, Gina Moravec and granddaughter, Faith Ventura.
The funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, November 19, 2022 at Mill Race Center with Pastor Chris Quick officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service Saturday at Mill Race Center. In keeping with the family’s request, cremation will take place after the funeral service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Heritage Fund, 538 Franklin Street, Columbus, Indiana 47201. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home.
