Obit: Sopiarz, John Frank (1927 - 2013)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Sopiarz, Biel, Valk, Tomkowiak, Jacks, Zell, Jensen, Zukowski, Maslowski, McHeffey, Lipinski, Meuret

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 2/13/2013

Sopiarz, John Frank (17 April 1927 - 10 February 2013)

John F. Sopiarz, age 85, of Thorp, passed away on February 10, 2013, at his home. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church, in Thorp, with Rev. Don Meuret officiating. Burial will take place in Old St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Visitation was held at the church, on Wednesday, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.

John Frank Sopiarz was born on April 17, 1927, in Thorp, the son of Joseph and Mary (Biel) Sopiarz. He was raised on the family farm, east of Thorp, and received his education at Posen Grade School and Thorp High School. He was united in marriage on August 26, 1952, to Carol Jean Valk at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church. In 1956, they moved to Iowa for one year and then moved back to Thorp and took over the operation of the Sopiarz farm. While farming, John also worked at Presto for 14 years as a machinist, and then for many years was the millwright for the Wisconsin Carpenters Union until his retirement.

John had many interests, but especially enjoyed “puttering” in his garage, working and making things out of metal, playing cards, polka dancing and deer hunting.

He was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church; the Wisconsin Carpenter Union; was on the board for the Township of Withee, where he had served as the town chairman and supervisor; and was a former member of the Thorp Moose Lodge and the Thorp Sportsman’s Club.

John is survived by his seven children: Joyce (Wayne) Tomkowiak of Milwaukee, Gloria Sopiarz of Thorp, Ron (Paula) Sopiarz of Mosinee, Bill Sopiarz of Thorp, Joanne (Ray) Jacks of Thorp, Janice (Marc) Zell of Thorp, and Gail Sopiarz of Thorp; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Dolores Jensen of Eau Claire; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carol, on October 8, 1998; four sisters: Matilda Zukowski, Betty Maslowski, Helen McHeffey, and Valeria Lipinski; and six brothers: Joe, Edward, Albin, Walter, Frankie and Leon Sopiarz.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.  Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.