Jelinek, Sam C.

Sam C. Jelinek, 23, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, March 22, 2013. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Parlor City Pub and Eatery, Cedar Rapids. Private graveside services will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Survivors include his parents, Jon and Valerie Jelinek of Cedar Rapids; his brothers, Nick (Steph) Jelinek and niece, Camilla, and Ben Jelinek; his sister, Madison Jelinek; his grandparents, Judy Chalupsky and Charles and Norine Jelinek; and his best friend, Zach Becker, all of Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Clay Chalupsky; and his uncle, Kevin Jelinek.

Sam was born May 23, 1989, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Jon and Valerie (Chalupsky) Jelinek. He graduated from Xavier High School in 2007. He worked for the family business of Jelinek Companies.

Sam was a kind and thoughtful person whose family was very important to him. Quiet and reserved, he would let his wry sense of humor show with a twinkle in his eye. He was an avid sports fan, with the Chicago Bears, Iowa Hawkeyes and Chelsea soccer team among his favorites. He loved watching ultimate fighting, “It's always sunny in Philadelphia” and Stephen Colbert, with his good friend, Zach.

Sam was a skilled writer, uniquely able to express his inner thoughts. To read him was to know him. Sam was deeply loved by his parents and family. He left us too soon.

Memorials may be made to Jon and Valerie.

Please leave a message for the family on the Web page www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Published March 25, 2013 in The Gazette