Charles Pawlak, 09 May 1916 - 09 Nov. 2006

PAWLAK, BRINGMAN, BOTT, DAVIS

Posted By: Netha M Meyer (email)
Date: 11/12/2006 at 17:30:50

Charles was born on May 9, 1916, near Victor, Iowa, the third of five children of Anton and Augusta Bringman Pawlak. He graduated from Victor High School in 1932. Charles worked as a farm hand for Clarence Schultz and then as a mechanic for his cousin Rudy Meyer. In April of 1941, Charles entered military service in the Army. He completed aircraft maintenance training and spent more than 40 months deployed in the Pacific theatre of World War II as a Crew Chief maintaining B-25 bombers. He was proud of the fact that no aircraft he was responsible for was lost in action. In January 1942, Charles married Hilda Bott in Lincoln, Nebraska. To this union was born one son, Roger. Following discharge from service in 1945, Charles and his brother Johnny entered into partnership with Rudy Meyer in Meyer Tractor Service. He eventually became sole owner and changed the name of the business to Pawlak’s, Inc. in 1976. He enjoyed participating in the farm equipment business for over 60 years and cherished the acquaintances and friendships developed there. Charles was an active member of St. James Lutheran Church in Victor, serving in various posts. He was a veteran member of the Victor Volunteer Fire Department and served as Fire Chief. He was also a 60-year member of the Harold E. Smith American Legion Post #54. He enjoyed fishing and bowling in his younger years and repairing machines, gardening and building things. He really enjoyed working with his hands, especially on machinery.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Hilda Pawlak of Brooklyn; his son, Roger (Patricia) Pawlak of Victor; two brothers, Johnny (Elsie) Pawlak of Roanoke, Virginia and Henry Pawlak of Grinnell; and several nieces and nephews.
Charles was 90 years of age, and he was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Anton (Tony) Pawlak Jr; and one sister, Agnes (Menzo) Davis.

Smith Funeral Home, Victor