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Chmelicek, Leonard
Leonard Chmelicek, 89, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, at Linn Manor Care Center in Marion from complications of Alzheimer's disease. As per Leonard's wishes, there will be no services. Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids is handling arrangements.
Leonard was born July 26, 1923, at home in Cedar Rapids and delivered by his parents, Emil and Anna (Cerveny) Chmelicek. He attended McKinley High School until a teacher told him he might as well quit. He grew up during the Depression and related many interesting and humorous stories about the time. At age 18 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was accepted although he never learned to swim, a prerequisite. Leonard worked on several ships as a Pharmacist's Mate 1C, but spent most of his time on the USS Appling which immediately headed to Pearl Harbor following the bombing. He re-enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1947 and was discharged in 1951. He met his wife Lucille Tomkins while working at the Civilian Conservation Corps in Monticello, when one of her brothers, who also worked there, introduced them. They married April 5, 1946, in Iowa City.
Leonard often worked two jobs and kept a huge garden to support his family. He was a quiet and patient gentle soul who loved his family above all else. After holding a variety of jobs through the years he retired from Universal Engineering.
Leonard is survived by his children, Lynn (Steve) Pudil of Swisher, Len Chmelicek of Ely, and Mike Chmelicek of Marion; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Stanley and Freda Rabik, and a sister-in-law, Madeline Trpkosh, all of Cedar Rapids.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lucille; daughter, Patricia Harper Nicholson; sister, Alma Clymer; and brothers, George Trpkosh and Richard Chmelicek.
The family would like to thank nurses and staff at Meadowview and Linn Manor and doctors Mark Goedken, Holli Kautzman and Marc Wilkinson for the excellent care and compassion given to him during his final years.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family www.broshchapel.com
Published Feb. 14, 2013 in The Gazette
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