Obit: Jelinek, Otto (1923 - 2007)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Jelinek, Flicek, Van Horn, Bohac, Milnthorpe, Kast, Sheffer, Matalas

----Sources: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) April 25, 2007

Jelinek, Otto (August 10, 1923 - April 19, 2007)

Otto Jelinek, age 83, of Black River Falls passed away April 19, 2007, at the Pine View Care Center, Black River Falls, under the care of Black River Hospice.

Otto was born Aug. 10, 1923, in the Town of Komensky, Jackson County, to Louis and Antonia (Flicek) Jelinek. He was raised in the Town of Komensky near Hatfield. He was a World War II Navy veteran. He had lived in the Hatfield area most of his life.

He married the former Corrine Van Horn Sept. 17, 1960, at the Alma Center Methodist Church. The couple lived in downtown Hatfield for over 45 years.

Otto was first employed as a driver for Janesville Auto Transport. After trying several other jobs, including managing the Thunderbird Roller Rink and helping construct the Black River Correctional center ("Boys Camp"), he opened Otto’s Mile Out Liquor Store of Black River Falls in 1965. He owned and operated the liquor store for 24 years.

In his early years, Otto enjoyed roller skating. He also enjoyed horseback riding. After his retirement, he and Corrine enjoyed polka dancing Sunday afternoons. Otto loved the Green Bay Packers and was a very avid Packer fan. He was also very well-known for deer lawn ornaments, which he made from birch trees and sold from his home in Hatfield.

He was a member of the WFLA - ZCBJ.

Survivors include his wife, Corrine; two daughters, Dale Ann (Jan) Bohac and Diane (Dan) Milnthorpe, both of Black River Falls; a step-daughter, Nicki (Steve) Kast of Tomah; a step-son, Jeffrey (Kim) Sheffer of Merrillan; three grand-children; six step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; a brother, Emil (Carol) Jelinek of Black River Falls; and numerous other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mildred Matalas.

Funeral services were held Monday, April 23, 2007, at 11:00 a.m., at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls. Hospice Chaplain Kevin Newell officiated. Burial with military honors followed in the Riverside Cemetery.

Casket bearers were Gary Shankey, Roger Johnson, Norman Roningen, James Blazejovsky, Virgil Bohac and James Gearing.

Family and friends were invited for visitation Sunday, April 22, 2007, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Buswell Funeral Home. Family and friends were also invited for visitation Monday, April 23, 2007, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Buswell Funeral Home (www.buswellfuneralhome.com ) assisted the family with arrangements.

*Note - Otto was born close to Clark County and had business ties with Hatfield; this is why it is being posted to the Clark County, Wis. Web Site.)