Obit: Shefchik, Edward William (1931- 2021)

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

Surnames: Shefchik, Domine, Dobson, Siebert, Gregory, Menehan, Abbot, Melnick, Martinez, Welch

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 7/05/2021

Shefchik, Edward William (5 September 1931 - 12 June 2021)

Edward W. Shefchik, age 89, Retired Milwaukee Police Officer, was born into Eternal Life at 12:45 a.m. Saturday morning, June 12, 2021, at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center (Elkhorn) from complications following a stroke in January.

Born at home on a dairy farm in Clark County near Loyal, on September 5, 1931, Edward was the second oldest of ten children. He was no stranger to hard work and discipline driving tractors, riding horses, baling hay and milking cows from a young age. He attended Loyal High School. From 1951-1975 he was married to Shirley Domine; they had 6 children together. Losing his fourth child Debbie at just 7 weeks, and youngest son Dale at 49 years was devastating.

After moving to Milwaukee, Ed began work as a lift truck operator for a canning factory. With precision driving skills honed from driving tractors on the farm, he could easily maneuver big loads of pallets into tight spaces and soon became the “go-to” guy for difficult lifts. But a better opportunity awaited him. While shopping for a suit one day, a customer noticed Ed’s tall, strong stature and suggested he would be a good fit as a police officer.

After some thought, Ed attended the Police Academy and in April 1955 he was accepted into the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) as a second shift patrolman. To the amazement of his superiors, he arrested a burglar his first week on the job. He had a sharp eye for inconsistencies and details. At the MPD he was also called to serve for several years at the detective bureau and as an undercover cop. To cap his career, he returned to the streets as a first shift patrolman, retiring in 1988 at 57 yrs. young.

After 33 years of service with the MPD and many stories to tell, retirement allowed him to pursue his passion for golf, travel, and time with his family. He loved to play the North Carolina greens, or any green for that matter. With diligent practice he became a scratch golfer and achieved four holes-in-one and placed in several senior golf tournaments.

Meticulous & disciplined, Ed kept his body fit, his mind sharp and his finances balanced. He enjoyed being active outdoors and when he was not on the green he would walk or run, bike, play racquetball, tennis, hunt, etc. He had a regular routine at the gym and occasionally could be spied relaxing at the beach or pool. In the evening, he would play Sudoku, crossword and jumble type word puzzles to keep his mind sharp.

Affectionately referred to as “Mr. Ed” by family and friends, he was a witty wordsmith and punster who enjoyed making others laugh with a play on words or rhymes. Ed was thoughtful, fun and funny, loving his family generously and unconditionally. He attended graduations, marriages, birthday parties, and various celebrations all over the country to show his support and be near the friends and family he so loved. Sought after as the “baby whisperer” he could calm a fussy baby in his strong, secure arms in minutes. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all.

Survivors include his children, Dennis (Jean) Shefchik of Lander, WY, Kay (Patrick) Dobson of Brown Deer, Carol (Terry) Seibert of Salem Lakes, Gary (Katie) Shefchik of Mukwonago; siblings Angie Gregory of Loyal, Raymond Shefchik of Racine, Jean Menehan of Kenosha, Joan (Dave) Abbot of Lanark, IL, Emil/JR (Sue) Shefchik of Cedarburg; sisters in law, Diann Shefchik of Marshfield, Mary Shefchik of Kenosha,; five grandchildren: Jenny Melnick, Shawn (Shelly) Dobson, Amy (Hernan) Martinez, Aaron (Erica) Dobson and Owen Shefchik, eight great grandchildren, Rianne, Aiden, Jessie, Carson, Jenna, Jasmine, Matthew, Maya; and many nieces and nephews.

Edward was predeceased by his parents, Emil and Hildegard Shefchik; children, Debbie and Dale; siblings Lawrence Shefchik, Eleanor Welch, Richard Shefchik and Elmer Shefchik.

His internment will be at St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish Cemetery in Loyal, WI.