Obit: Gabrys, Alex Joseph (1918 - 2006)

Contact:  Shari Hahn

Surnames: Gabrys, Kowalczyk, Olejniczak, Zaborowski, Rogers, Casper

----Sources: Marshfield News-Herald, August 7, 2006

-Gabrys, Alex Joseph (13 July 1918 - 4 Aug. 2006)

Alex J. Gabrys

Alex J. Gabrys, 88, of Thorp, formerly of Gilman, died Friday, Aug. 4, 2006, at Oakbrook Health and Rehabilitation Center, Thorp.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2006, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church, Thorp. Burial will follow in New St. Hedwig's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be at Thorp Funeral Home from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, 2006, with a 6 p.m. rosary service, and Tuesday at the church from 1 p.m. until time of the service.

Alex Joseph Gabrys was born July 13, 1918, in Lublin to Bartholomew and Anna (Kowalczyk) Gabrys. He was raised on the family farm and educated in the Lublin area. He completed his GED at the age of 60. Alex served in World War II and was twice awarded the Purple Heart. Alex married Josephine Olejniczak on June 17, 1948, in Chicago. In 1951, they moved to Gilman, where he farmed and drove a mail truck until retiring in 1980. He lived in Gilman until moving to Thorp in the 1990s.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Josephine; four children, Margie Gabrys, Eau Claire, Leonard Gabrys, Balko, Okla., Bob Gabrys, Gilman, Bruce (Theresa) Gabrys, Eagle River, Ark.; five grandchildren; four sisters, Kay Gabrys, Kirksville, Mo., Mary Zaborowski, Gilman, Lottie Rogers, Dwyer, Ind., Ann (Harold) Casper, Kirksville, Mo., and two brothers, John Gabrys, Manhattan, Ill., and Stanley Gabrys, Milwaukee.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Ann.