John Chylek
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John Chylek, 89, of Escanaba, passed away early Thursday morning, March 12, 2009 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on December 20, 1919 in Sugarite, New Mexico to John and Agnes Chylek. At the age of one, he moved with his parents to Florence, Wisconsin, where he attended public schools thru to the 12th grade.
On June 28th, 1941, John married Marilyn Lou Newberg of Kingsford.
John worked for the Federal Public Housing Agency of the Federal Government from 1939 until 1948 in Washington D.C. and Chicago, Illinois.
He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S Markab during World War II. John was honorably discharged on April 28, 1946.
In 1948, John purchased Richers Market, a grocery and meat market in Escanaba. It was established as John’s Northland Market and was later owned by his son, Roger. John retired in 2006.Â
Since his retirement, he enjoyed his seven children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed numerous trips to Koslovice and Frydlant in the Czech Republic to visit numerous cousins.
He was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church, serving many terms on the church council and was the chairman of the fundraising committee for the new church which was built.
A baseball enthusiast, John was a Little League manager, coach, and board member from 1955 to 1985. In 1957, he managed the Escanaba Little League team to the fourth-place finish in the World-Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. In 1985, he was awarded the Jim Tretheway award from the Upper Peninsula Sports Writers Association. He was also honored by the Little League Baseball Inc. as the volunteer of the year, representing the north section of the United States in 1992. John was also inducted into the Gladstone Little League Hall of Fame in 1995.
Among the survivors include his children, Sherry (Donald Doxtator) Austin of Marshall, MI, John Chylak of Eugene, OR, Roger (Judy) Chylek and Lynn Chylek (Sharon Harr) both of Escanaba, Kris (Tim) Clemins of Marquette, MI, Denise Chylek of Aurora, CO, and Jackie (Ken) LaMarche of Escanaba; grandchildren, Erin Abraham, David Austin, Sarah Chylek, Levin Chylek, Nathan Chylek, Tara Bruce, Brian Harr, Denise Welch, Lyndsey LaMarche, and Sam LaMarche; 11 grandchildren; brother, Gus (Josie) Chylek of Chicago; two sisters, Betty Kron of Escanaba and Lil Sieh of West Branche, MI; and brother-in-law, Harry Bullington of Chicago.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marilyn; sisters, Rose and Carmen; brother, Willy; and son-in-law, Barry Austin.
Visitation will be on Sunday, March 15th from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home in Escanaba. The funeral service will follow at 4 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church with Rev. Peter Andersen officiating. A luncheon will be served in the church fellowship hall following the service.
October 9th, 2009 at 12:26 am
miss him
May 24th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
Betty Chylek Kron was my teacher in Fern School. I visited her in Florence, Wisconsin several years ago, and later sent her some pictures taken inside the school room where she taught.
I have never heard from her or learned whether she received the pictures. I see by the obit of brother John that she lives in Escanaba (if still living) She lived just a short distance from the Washburn family in Florence, Elmer and Mable, now deceased, who were my uncle and aunt. They always spoke highly of Betty.
Give her my regards if she is still here to receive them.
Doris