Obit: Cernik, Jerry J. #2 (1919 - 2010)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Cernik, Drazdil, Fitzmaurice, Hawley, Kozik, Kahn, Roden, Arienkiel, Sexton, Wentz

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) September 8, 2010

Cernik, Jerry J. #2 (14 October 1919 - 3 September 2010) With Flag

Jerry Cernik, 90, of Neillsville died Friday, Sept. 3, 2010, at the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center in Neillsville.

Jerry J. Cernik was born Oct. 14, 1919, in Levis Township, Clark County, Wisconsin, the son of Joseph Anton and Anna (Drazdil) Cernik.  He attended Meadow View School and then went to a CCC Camp in Perkinstown from 1936 - 1939 where he was a truck driver and later a foreman for two years.  Jerry served in the United States Army from July 22, 1941 to Oct. 17, 1945.  He spent almost a year serving in France and Germany as an 8078 Tank Commander and was awarded two Bronze Stars.  When he returned from serving his country, he farmed in the Town of Levis.  Jerry was united in marriage to Velva Fitzmaurice April 9, 1950, in Humbird.  He retired from farming in 1982 and then enjoyed his time hunting and fishing with family and friends, especially on his annual trip to Canada.

Jerry was a member of the Haugen-Richmond American Legion Post #73 in Neillsville and he and Velva attended the Living Hope Evangelical Free Church in Neillsville.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Velva; three children, Linda (Clayton) Hawley of Merrillan, Sandra (Conrad) Kozik of Spencer and Jerry (Suzy) Cernik of Neillsville; four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Marie Cernik of Eugene, OR, and a brother/sister-in-law, Larry (Sharon) Fitzmaurice of Neillsville.  Jerry is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Charles and Joseph Cernik, and four sisters, Mary Kahn, Sadie Roden, Tillie Arienkiel and Rose Sexton.

Funeral services for Jerry will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, at the Gesche Funeral home in Neillsville.  Pastor Steven Wentz of the Living Hope Evangelical Free Church in Neillsville will officiate.  Interment will be in the Dells Dam Cemetery at a later date.  Visitation was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and will be again from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Gesche Funeral Home.  Military Honors will be accorded by the Neillsville Veterans Council.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

The Gesche Funeral home is assisting Jerry’s family with funeral arrangements.