Jelinek, Donald J.

Donald J. Jelinek, 78, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, at the Dennis & Donna Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha, from a short illness. Services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Burial: Fairfax Cemetery, Fairfax.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Elsie; uncle, Leonard Jelinek; brothers-in-law, Ted Bean and Joe (Mildred) Peshek; sisters-in-law, Ella Bangert and Doris Nevenhoven; nephew, Bryon (Dorothy) Bean; and niece, Pam (Randy) Buck.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Rosann Bean.

Don was born Sept. 1, 1933, the beloved son of Joseph and Adela (Polansky) Jelinek in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A graduate from Wilson High School in 1952, he served his country with the United States Army in Korea during the Korean conflict. After returning from the military, he started working at Collins Radio, now Rockwell Collins, retiring in 1988, after 34 years of service. On Sept. 9, 1956, Don was united in marriage to Elsie Mae Peshek in Walford, Iowa.

Don and Elsie enjoyed spending time together, fishing, traveling and antique hunting. They dealt in antiques for over 40 years. A man who had a fantastic sense of humor, Don also had a caring side in providing a home for his mother-in-law for 25 years and helping with her appointments.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Dennis & Donna Hospice House, 315 18th Ave., Hiawatha, IA 52233, in memory of Don.

Please sign the online guest book for Don at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 20, 2011.