Merrill D. Sylvester
Merrill D. Sylvester, age 68, of Colorado formerly of Columbus, Nebraska died Wednesday January 23, 2002 in Colorado. Services 1: 00 p.m. Thursday; January 31, 2002 at the McKown Funeral Home in Columbus. Burial will be at a later date in the Bellwood Cemetery.
Merrill D. Sylvester was born November 16, 1933 in Bellwood, Nebraska to Merrill Lee and Gertrude (Weyand) Sylvester. He received his education in Bellwood and graduated from Bellwood High School.
He was married to Christine Stegman. He worked at Becton-Dickinson for many years. Following his retirement he worked part time at Dale Electronics as a security guard.
He is survived by
DAUGHTER: MARIA (BILL) BECKIUS SCHUYLER, NE
DAUGHTER: WANDA KADLEC LEIGH, NE
DAUGHTER: SHERYL (TIM) WEMHOFF CRESTON, NE
SON: MORRIS SYLVESTER COLUMBUS, NE
SISTER: ETHEL REHA BELLWOOD, NE
He was preceded in death by
FATHER: MERRILL LEE SYLVESTER
MOTHER: GERTRUDE SYLVESTER
DAUGHTER: BRENDA SYLVESTER
Elaine Stopak
Elaine Stopak, age 58, of rural Columbus, Nebraska died Tuesday March 5, 2002 at the Life Care Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Funeral Services are 10: 30 a.m. Saturday March 9, 2002, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Duncan, Nebraska with Reverend Dave Korth officiating. Burial will be in the St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Visitation is Friday from 3: 00 p.m. - 5: 00 p.m. at McKown Funeral Home in Columbus and after 6: 00 p.m. Friday with a 7: 30 p.m. Vigil Service at St. Stanislaus Church in Duncan. Visitation will continue Saturday morning from 9: 30 a.m. until service time at the church.
Elaine Stopak was born July 28, 1943 in Polk County, Nebraska to Otto and Dorothy (Micek) Mueller. She grew up in Platte County and attended Duncan schools before graduating from St. Bonaventure High School in Columbus. On August 17, 1963 Elaine was united in marriage to Edward Stopak in Duncan. The couple lived on a farm near Duncan where she was a homemaker. Elaine was a member of St. Stanislaus Church and St. Ann's Society. She enjoyed playing cards and socializing with friends and family.
Elaine is survived by:
Twin Daughter: Katrina (John) Brandt of Omaha, NE
Daughter: Lynda (Brian) Hitz of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Brenda (Mike) Nehring of Ottawa, KS
Daughter: Mary (Art) Wiese of Omaha, NE
Son: Jon (Vicki) Stopak of Duncan, NE
Sister: Jean (Bill) Blocker-Lewis of Whittier, CA
Twelve Grandchildren
Elaine is preceded in death by:
Husband: Edward J. Stopak
Father: Otto Mueller
Mother: Dorothy Mueller
Twin Son: Kraig Stopak
Mark D. Romshek
Mark D. Romshek, age 19, of Bellwood, Nebraska died Saturday March 23, 2002 in a motor vehicle accident near McCook, Nebraska. Services are 10: 00 a.m. Tuesday March 26, 2002 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Bellwood with Reverend Jeremy Hazuka officiating. Burial will be in the Ss. Peter & Mary/Presentation Cemetery near Bellwood. Visitation is 3: 00 - 5: 00 p.m. Monday at McKown Funeral Home in Columbus and after 6: 00 p.m. Monday with a Vigil Service at 7: 30 p.m. at St. Peter Church in Bellwood. Visitation will continue Tuesday morning from 9: 00 a.m. until service time at the church.
Mark D Romshek was born March 27, 1982 in Butler County Hospital in David City, Nebraska to Doug and Mary (Humlicek) Romshek. He graduated for Aquinas High School in David City in 2000, and was currently a Sophomore, studying to be a Electrical Engineer at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Mark also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Mark is a member of St Peter Catholic Church in Bellwood, Nebraska
He is survived by:
Parents: Doug & Mary Romshek of Bellwood, NE
Brother: Dustin Romshek of Bellwood, NE
Maternal Grandparents: Richard & Betty Humlicek of David City, NE
Paternal Grandparents: Ralph & Betty Romshek of Bellwood, NE
Several Aunts & Uncles
Memorials may be directed to Donors Choice.
Michael T. Volnek
Michael Thomas Volnek, age 77, of Columbus, Nebraska died Saturday March 16, 2002 at Beverly Health Care. Services are 10: 00 am Wednesday March 20, 2002 at St. Anthony Catholic Church with Reverend Joseph A. Miksch officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 3-5 at McKown Funeral Home and after 6: 30 pm at St. Anthony Church. A Vigil Service will be held 8: 00 p.m. Tuesday at the Church. Visitation will continue on Wednesday morning from 8-9: 30 am at McKown Funeral Home. Burial will be in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery in Columbus.
Michael Volnek was born February 27, 1925 in Greeley County to Andrew and Clara (Niedbalski) Volnek, Sr. He lived on a farm near Cedar Rapids and attended school in Greeley and Boone Counties. He married Irene Vetick on October 5, 1955 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church at Krakow. He worked for Ewert Implement and Ewert Motors in sales and service. He was a manager at Super Jack and Jill in Columbus. Michael worked as a self-employed floor covering installer from 1962 until his retirement in 1997. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was very active in St. Anthony's Parish, including participating in the adoration hour program. He enjoyed his family and grandchildren. He also enjoyed doing yard work and watching sports, especially the New York Yankees and the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
He is survived by:
Wife: Irene Volnek of Columbus, NE
Son: Michael (Charlotte "Charlie") Volnek of Seward, NE
Son: Daniel (Tammy) Volnek of Lincoln, NE
Daughter: Norma (Gordon) Hardle of Lincoln, NE
Daughter: Deb (Scott) Woods of Omaha, NE
Daughter: Kimberly (Doug) Obal of Columbus, NE
Brother: Frank Volnek of Arlington, NE
Brother: Andrew (Phyllis) Volnek of Columbus, NE
Sister: Margaret Bosak of Genoa, NE
Sister: Patricia (Robert) Parry of Columbus, NE
Sister: Virginia (Frank) Konwinski of Silver Creek, NE
Nine Grandchildren
He was preceded by:
Father: Andrew Volnek, Sr.
Mother: Clara Volnek
Brother: Peter Volnek
Sister: Cecelia Volnek
Sister: Rita Ann Volnek
Sister: Della Bosak
Sister: Frances Czuba
Sister: Esther Lennan
Memorials are directed to St. Anthony Catholic Church or the American Cancer Society.
Mary Ann Pickhinke
Mary Ann Pickhinke, age 91, of Columbus, Nebraska died Saturday March 23, 2002 at Mory's Haven in Columbus. Funeral Services are 10: 00 a.m. Wednesday March 27, 2002 at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Columbus with Reverend Joseph A. Miksch officiating. Burial will be in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery in Columbus. Visitation is 3: 00 p.m. - 8: 00 p.m. Tuesday with at 7: 00 p.m. Vigil Service at McKown Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 8: 00 a.m. - 9: 30 a.m. at the funeral home.
Mary Pickhinke was born August 19, 1910 in Howells, Nebraska to John and Ann (Wegner) Gall. She attended St. Peter & St. Paul Parochial School in Howells. On August 11, 1931 Mary Ann was united in marriage to Anton Pickhinke at St. Peter & Paul Church in Howells, Nebraska. The couple lived in Howells until 1947 when they moved to Columbus. In 1955 they moved to Carroll, Iowa until 1979 when they returned to Columbus. Mary was a homemaker & loved baking which she enjoyed sharing with her neighbors and friends. She was a member of St. Isidore Church, Christian Mothers & Franciscan Missionary Union.
She is survived by:
Daughter: Lorraine (Jack) Bittner of Lincoln, NE
Daughter: Diane Chadwell of Farmington Hills, MI
Daughter: Gladys (Jerry) Collison of Edmond, OK
Daughter: Arlene (Edward) DeBoer of Hixon, TN
Daughter: Delores Kingston of Grand Rapids, MI
Daughter: Sister Rita Marie Pickhinke R.S.M. of Omaha, NE
Daughter: Agnes (Mike) Placzek of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Janet (Gordon) Welch of Omaha, NE
Sister: Catherine (George) Brester of Howells, NE
27 Grandchildren 42 Great Grandchildren 3 Great Great Grandchildren
She was preceded by:
Husband: Anton Pickhinke
Father: John Gall
Mother: Ann Gall
Brother: Fred Gall
Brother: Leonard Gall
Brother: William Gall
Grandson: James Christopher DeBoer
Grandson: Robert Luchtel
Three Great Grandchildren
Infant Son: Robert
Memorials may be directed to St. Isidore School Endowment Fund.
Thomas A. Reilly
Thomas A. Reilly, age 86, of Columbus, Nebraska died Thursday March 14, 2002 at the Columbus Community Hospital. Funeral Services are 10: 00 a.m. Monday March 18, 2002 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus with Rev. Tom Weisbecker officiating. Burial will be in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery with Military Honors by Hartman Post #84 American Legion Honor Guard. Visitation is after 3: 00 p.m. Sunday with a Vigil Service at 7: 00 p.m. at McKown Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Monday morning from 8: 00 a.m. - 9: 30 a.m. also at the funeral home.
Thomas A. Reilly was born June 21, 1915 in Platte Center, Nebraska to Frank G. and Kathryn (Cronin) Reilly. He attended public and parochial school in Platte Center. Tom served in the U.S. Army during WWII from 1941-1945 where he was stationed in the South Pacific Theater from 1943 - 1945. Tom attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star. On October 9, 1945 he was united in marriage to Valaria L. Pachunka at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus. The couple lived in Columbus where Tom owned and operated the Avenue Bar until his retirement in 1979. He owned and raced thoroughbred horses on the Nebraska Circuit and was a member of the Nebraska Thoroughbred Association. He was a member of St. Bonaventure Church, V.F.W. #3704, Hartman Post #84 American Legion and a former member of the Lions and Eagles Club. Tom was an avid hunter, fisherman and enjoyed gardening.
He is survived by: Wife: Valaria L. Reilly of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Judy (Richard) Fleischer of Columbus, NE
Son: Robert J. (Marcia) Reilly of Central City, NE
Son: Ron (Connie) Reilly of Columbus, NE
Son: Tom J. (Patty) Reilly of Valley, NE
Daughter: Sonja (Eloy) Trujillo of Denver, CO
Eight Grandchildren
Six Great Grandchildren
Three Nieces
He is preceded in death by:
Father: Frank G. Reilly
Mother: Kathryn Reilly
Sister: Maura Johnson
Sister: Catherine Reilly
Brother: Frank Reilly
Brother: Maurice Reilly
Great Grandson: Timothy
Sister: Margaret Hayes
Frank J. Zywiec
Frank J. Zywiec, age 83, of Columbus died Monday, October 22, 2001 at the Columbus Manor. Funeral Services are 10: 30 a.m. Thursday; October 25, 2001 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus. The Rev. Bill Whelan will officiate. Visitation is Wednesday 3-8 p.m. at the McKown Funeral Home. A Vigil will be held at 7: 00 p.m. Wednesday also at the McKown Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Thursday 8: 00 a.m. until 10: 00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the All Saints Cemetery in Columbus.
Frank J. Zywiec was born June 1, 1918 in Duncan, Nebraska to Joseph and Pauline (Mostek) Zywiec. He received his education at St. Stanislaus Parochial School in Duncan. He married Frances V. Wrubel on November 29, 1939 in Fullerton, Nebraska. He farmed in the Fullerton area for a short time. Frank operated the Phillips 66 Station in Columbus for 13 years before selling cars at Rogers-Riley. He then worked as a security guard at Dale Electronics. He also operated a carpet cleaning business at this time. He was a member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church and past member of the Eagles Club
Following the interment a lunch will be held at the Eagles Club
Frank is survived by:
Wife: Frances Zywiec Columbus, NE
Daughter: Delores (Charles Sr.) Case Columbus, NE
Son: Larry (Joyce) Zywiec Columbus, NE
Brother: Leo (Ruth) Zywiec Fullerton, NE
Brother: Dick (Mary Ann) Zywiec Central City, NE
Sister: Dorothy Fendrich Gold Beach, OR
Sister: Frances Beck Central City, NE
Sister: Cecila Szelag Columbus, NE
Sister: Mary Ann (Leonard) Dufek Columbus, NE
Sister: Theresa Henry Omaha, NE
He was preceded in death by:
Father: Joseph Zywiec
Mother: Pauline Zywiec
Daughter: Angeline Zywiec
Sister: Stella Kowalski
Brother: Johnny Zywiec
Brother: Louie Zywiec
Monica Teresa Wandro Peterson
December 20, 1905 - September 25, 2001
Monica Wandro was born on a farm in Polk County, Nebraska on Dec. 20, 1905. She was the second oldest of a family of twelve. Two members of her family, Josephine Taylor and Joseph Wandro survive her. Her mother, Sophia Iwan, of Polish descent was born in this country. Her father Joseph Wandro of Bohemian descent was also born in America.
Monica was raised as a devout Catholic by her parents. Because she was the second eldest of a large family, many of the responsibilities of the family fell to her. Education, and especially Catholic education, was always a priority for her. She received an education through eighth grade. Part of her education was in a Catholic Boarding School especially in preparation to receive the sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist. She always had a great desire to be a teacher. Because of the many needs of her family, she was unable to pursue such a career, however, she did teach CCD classes. Before her marriage, she worked for some time as a domestic to help her family financially. Also, just prior to her marriage she almost died due to a hemorrhage after a tonsillectomy.
She married Edward Peterson at St. Peter and Paul Church in Krakow Nebraska on Sept. 28, 1927. Together they had eight children. They are Dorothy, now Sr. Mary Monica, Jerome, who passed away at age three, Doloris Vasquez, Monica Everling, Rita Stransky, who passed away in 1999, Edward, Norbert, and Bernadette Cinadr. She has 19 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1989.
Prior to her husband's death she lived with her husband and family on a farm near Monroe, Nebraska, and Adams, Minnesota. They lived for some time near Norfolk, Nebraska and for many years in Platte Center, Nebraska. After her husband's death she has been living with her daughter, Monica, in Orange, California.
Monica lived through many trials both in her own personal life and in the country. She lived through the great depression, the great flu of the early part of the century and all of the wars of the 20th century. She lived through the death of her three year old son, her daughter, and her husband, as well as her parents and nine of her brothers and sisters.
Monica was a very talented woman. She came from a musically talented family and although she had minimal musical training she was able to play the piano without reading notes. She was a wonderful homemaker and a great cook. She was a very socially minded person and always looked after the needs of the community, but most especially those of her own family.
Monica's Catholic faith and her love of God and family were her great trademarks by which I'm sure she would want to be remembered.
A vigil service was held on Sept. 28th in Orange, California.
A viewing at 9: 30 a.m. and a funeral Mass at 10: 30 a.m. will be held on Friday, October 5, 2001, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Platte Center, Nebraska. Her final resting place will be at Valley View Cemetery in Genoa, Nebraska.
