JILEK, Joseph L.

JILEK, LASSAHN, LEMON, EVANS, OLSON, MELLO, DONADIN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/22/2018 at 21:53:20

Obituary ~ Joseph L. Jilek
February 13, 1922 ~ December 13, 2000

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
December 15, 2000

MASON CITY -- Joseph L. Jilek, 78, of 2823 S. Jefferson Ave. , Mason City, died Wednesday (Dec. 13, 2000) from natural causes at Big Blue.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, 2000, at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E., with the Rev. Ernest T. Thompson officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood- St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2 until 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Joseph, the son of Joseph and Clara (Lassahn) Jilek was born Feb. 13, 1922, in Crystal Lake. He spent most of his childhood living in Crystal Lake where he obtained his education.

He was inducted into the United States Army on Dec. 28, 1942, as a section foreman in which his travels took him through Central Europe. He returned home Feb. 1, 1946, with the following decorations and citations: the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one Bronze Battle Star, World War II Victory Medal, one Service Stripe and two Overseas Service Bars.

He was united in marriage to Beverly Lemon on June 17, 1950, in Mason City where he continued to work for the railroad. Later on in life, Joseph worked for Midwest Roofing giving them thirty years until his retirement at the age of 62. Joseph was a life time member of the VFW Post 733.

He savored the quiet hours fishing, whether on the banks of Big Blue, in the state of Alaska or at Lake Okoboji. To family and friends he was known as "the fisherman". If Joseph wasn't fishing the waters he could be found tinkering in the garage or on his boat. He treasured the times spent with his grandchildren and great grandchild.

He's left to cherish his memories his two daughters, Robin and her husband, Mike Evans, of Mason City; their five children, Britani, Erin, Lisa and Travis, of Mason City and Jessica, of Ames, and Pam Olson, of Clear Lake and her daughter, Ashley; two sons, Chris and his wife, Deb Jilek, of Mason City and their three children, Chad and his wife, Angie, of Clinton, and Lacey Jilek, of Wichita, Kan, and Ryan Jilek, of Mason City, and Jerry Joe of Nevada; two brothers, Albert "Bud" and his wife, Henrietta Jilek, of Missouri; Fred and his wife Maxine Jilek, of Mason City; Ronnie and his wife, Gloria Jilek of Texas; two sisters, Shirley Mello, of Maryland, and AnnaMae Donadin, of Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Beverly; son, Dennis Joe; and his sister, Rosey.

Fullerton Family of Funeral Homes, (641) 423-8676.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2018