Obit: Smoczyk, Leon Peter (1952 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Smoczyk, Mendalski, Meyer, Kirschner, Weis, Johnson, Beaufeaux, Pletka, Apfelbeck

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) January 19, 2011

Smoczyk, Leon Peter (19 June 1952 - 16 January 2011) With flag

Leon P. Smoczyk age 58, of Chippewa Falls (formerly of Thorp), passed away on Sunday, January 16, 2011, at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 21, 2011, at Thorp Funeral Home in Thorp.   Burial will follow in St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home on Friday, from 9:00 a.m. until time of service.

Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) January 26, 2011

Leon P. Smoczyk, age 58, of Chippewa Falls, formerly of Thorp, passed away on January 16, 2011 at Luther Hospital, in Eau Claire.  Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 21, 2011 at Thorp Funeral Home with Rev. Keith Apfelbeck officiating. Burial followed in St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery in Thorp.  Visitation was held on Friday, at Thorp Funeral Home, from 9:00 a.m. until time of service.  Pallbearers were: Charlie Weis, Justin Johnson, Travis Johnson, Jesse Smoczyk, Kevin Beaufeaux and Joe Pletka, Jr. 

Leon Peter Smoczyk was born on June 19, 1952 at Victory Memorial Hospital in Stanley, WI, to Frank and Frances (Mendalski) Smoczyk.  He received his elementary education at the Yaeger School and at Thorp Elementary School, and graduated from Thorp High School in 1970.  He enlisted into the U. S. Army on September 14, 1972 and served until September 12, 1975. After his discharge from the military, Leon worked as a security guard in Chicago, IL.  He returned to Thorp for a short time before moving to Chippewa Falls.  He worked as a janitor at Cray Research and then later at the Chippewa County Courthouse before joining Presto Absorbents where he worked until the time of his death.

In his spare time, Leon loved listening to country music, watching football games and NASCAR racing.

He is survived by one sister, Rose Meyer of Stanley; two brothers: Ed Smoczyk of Arcadia and Henry Smoczyk of Thorp; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Benedict and Ernest, and one sister, Mary Kirschner.

Online condolences may be directed to www.cuddiefh.com.

Thorp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.