VONDRACEK, Charles J. 1927-2014

VONDRACEK, CHIZEK, PLUM, BRANDT, SCHWAKE, HARRIS, GATO, BRAVNER, DUNCALF

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 7/5/2014 at 01:44:17

[Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Sunday, February 23, 2014]

EVANSDALE -- Charles J. Vondracek, 87, of Evansdale, died at home Friday, Feb. 21, 2014.

He was born Jan. 16, 1927, in Toledo, son of Frank and Mary Chizek Vondracek. He married Julia Plum in 1951 at Little Brown Church, Nashua; they were later divorced. He married Hazel Brandt in 1961 in Waterloo. She died in 1995.

Charles graduated from Toledo High School in 1944 and took coursework at Hawkeye Technical College, Waterloo. He was a World War II Army veteran, serving for two years as a military policeman. His duty included escorting prisoners at the Nuremburg trials following the war. He worked for John Deere and Co. for 24 years, retiring in 1982. He served as mayor of Evansdale from 1989-1990 and had previously served as a city council member.

Charles was a member of the Evansdale Volunteer Fire Department for 13 years and served as the fire chief for five years. He was a Past State of Iowa Commander for AMVETS, served as AMVETS state quartermaster for 28 years, and was a life member of Evansdale AMVETS Post 31. Charles was a life member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. He volunteered for the veteran's honor guard detail, as a driver for the DAV, and at Iowa Veteran’s Home, Marshalltown.

Survived by his special companion, Lois Kirk-Schwake of Evansdale; a son, Melvin (Denise) Vondracek of Waterloo; a daughter, Toni Harris of Seattle, Wash.; two grandchildren, Chris Vondracek and Amy (Ryan) Junkins, both of Evansdale; and two great-grandchildren, Alyson and Declyn Junkins.

Preceded in death by his parents; his wives; a daughter, Vicki Jo Gato; three sisters, Marie Vondracek, Lillian Bravner and Blanche Duncalf; and two brothers, Frank and Edward Vondracek.

Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday at Kearns Funeral Service Kimball Chapel, with burial in Waterloo Cemetery. Full military honors will be accorded by Waterloo AMVETS Post 19, Evansdale AMVETS Post 31 and the Iowa Army National Guard Honors Detail. Visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, and for an hour before services at the chapel.

Memorials may be directed to the Iowa Veteran’s Home, 1301 Summit Street, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158.

Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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