Obit: Szaflarski, Robert M. (1939 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Szaflarski, Wisniewski, Serafinowicz, Kurasz, Brekke, Peterson, Hart, Taterka, Resong, Gross, Follmar

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) February 9, 2011

Szaflarski, Robert M. (6 May 1939 - 6 February 2011)

Robert M. Szaflarski, 71, of Neillsville died Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, at his home.

Robert M. Szaflarski was born May 6, 1929, the son of George C. and Elizabeth (Wisniewski) Szaflarski, in Chicago, IL. After finishing his education he delivered cars for a Ford dealership in Chicago for three years.  Bob was united in marriage to Gwendolyn Serafinowicz Feb. 11, 1960, in Clinton, IA.  He owned an auto body shop in Chicago from 1962 to 1969 and then went to work for Tracor Data Center as a cost controller in Addison, IL, until 1972.  He then worked for Villa Park Ford as the body shop manager until they moved to Neillsville, in 1975.  Bob worked as the body shop manager for Gross Motors in Neillsville from June of 1975 to 1984.  He then owned his own body shop, Country Side Auto, for 24 years in Neillsville.  Bob was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville.

He is survived by his wife, Gwen; a son, Kenneth (Lori Kurasz) Szaflarski of Marshfield; a daughter, Lynn (Tim) Brekke of Neillsville; six grandchildren, Lana (Aaron) Peterson, Kenny Szaflarski, Eric Brekke, Brooke Brekke, Anna Brekke and Emily Brekke.  He is also survived by a brother, Richard Hart of Neillsville; a sister, Georgianna Taterka of Wood Dale, IL; and many nieces and nephews.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson Chad Szaflarski, in infancy; a brother, a brother, George Szaflarski; and a sister, Dorothy Peterson

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville.  The celebrant will be Father Joseph Follmar.  Providing music will be Ronald Resong, organist, and St. Mary’s Choir.  Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery.  Visitation was held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb, 8, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville.

Serving as Casketbearers for Robert will be Tim Brekke, Aaron Peterson, Kenneth Szaflarski, Jerry Gross and Kenny Szaflarski.

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

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Robert’s family with funeral arrangements.