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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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John Petrzelka
JOHN HENRY "JACK" PETRZELKA
Cedar Rapids
John Henry "Jack" Petrzelka, 87, of Cedar Rapids, passed peacefully on Thursday, June 8, 2017. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Monday at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church by Father Christopher Podhajsky. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 Second St. SE, where a rosary begins at 4 p.m. Burial will take place at a later date at Ss Patrick and Paul Cemetery, rural Watkins.
Survivors include his wife, Jean; son, Tom (Jill) Petrzelka; daughter, Evie (Joel) Wood; grandson, Clayton (Jaimie) Kahle, and their daughters, Taylor, Makenna and Bristol; sisters-in-law, Doris Milane, Gertrude Boddicker, Billie Rushek, Arlene Boddicker, Carole Boddicker, Kathy Boddicker and Marillis Boddicker Brockles; along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Frank Earl; brothers-in-law, Kenny, David, Jerry, Matt, Jim and Jack; sisters-in-law, Arlene and Delores; and nephews, Gregory and Doug.
Born July 13, 1929, in Cook County, Ill., Jack spent many years of his childhood with his aunts, Rose and Tillie. Throughout his life, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, dancing and visits from his great-granddaughter, Bristol. Jack always was ready for a friendly game of euchre. Jack attended Newhall High School and enlisted in the Navy, where he was based in Alaska and Hawaii.
Jean Boddicker became his wife 66 years ago on April 10, 1951.
Owning an auto body shop, manufacturing work, and employment at Pioneer Seed, Schall and Ullerich Body Shop and First Presbyterian Church rounded out his working years. After retirement, he tried his hand as a bank courier, and worked for the city of Marion, where he would remain until hip surgery forced him to resign.
Military honors will be conducted at the church by Blairstown American Legion Post 0170.
Many thanks to the caring staff at RidgeView Senior Living, Dr. Ghosh and his crew of angels, Dr. Campbell, Dr. Yacoub, Stephanie Vogeler P.A. and Care Initiative Hospice.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.papich-kubafs.com under obituaries.
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