Obit: Skaleski, Sylvester “Ves” (1938- 2013)

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

Surnames: Skaleski, Sweeney, Duplantis

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co, WI) 2/19/2014

Skaleski, Sylvester “Ves” (5 October 1938 - 27 December 2013) With Flag

Sylvester (Ves) Skaleski, 75, Clermont, FL passed away peacefully on December 27, 2013, at Mike Conley Hospice House.

He was born Octob4er 5, 1938, in Owen, WI to parents Victor and Mary Skaleski. After graduating from Owen-Withee High School, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy, June 1957. He had a notable 21-year career in the navy, where he reached the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer and was awarded many commendations, including the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Lebanon), National Defense services Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and Navy Commendation Medal.

After his retirement from the Navy, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Western Illinois University and accepted the position as an instructor at the College of Lake County, lake County, IL. He then went on to become a supervisor, training coordinator and, finally, Director of Instruction.

His vacation time was always spent at his home on Lake Holcombe where crappie and musky fishing were his passions. In 1989, Ves and Phyllis moved full time to Holcombe where Ves drove bus for Holcombe Schools for two years to keep busy in the winters. In July 1991, he took on the position of Plant Manager for Rockwell Automation in Ladysmith, a position he held for six years. When he fully retired, he and Phyllis began spending the winters in Florida as ‘snowbirds’. In 2011, they moved to Florida full time.

Ves will be remembered as a wonderful husband dad, grandpa and friend. Besides his love for family, he was a devoted Packer fan and an avid fisherman and hunter. He never stopped learning and was always reading and keeping up with the latest technology. He loved spending time with his children and grandsons, who will continue his legacy of pursuing knowledge and love for the outdoors.

Ves is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Phyllis; son, David (Jacqueline) Skaleski, Algonquin, IL; daughter, Amy (Patrick) Sweeney, Clermont, FL; son-in-law, Mark Duplantis, Perl River, LA; grandsons, Stephen Duplantis, Slidell, LA; Nicholas and Eric Skaleski, both of Algonquin, IL; and Trent and Jack Sweeney, both of Clermont, FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a daughter, Gail Duplantis.

A memorial Mass was held Friday, January 3, 2014, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Green Bay, WI, with full military honors and interment at the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum, Green Bay, WI.

Online condolences may be expressed at Proko-Wall Funeral home (www.prokowall.com).