Paul Slezak Jr.

PAUL "PAULIE" SLEZAK JR.

Ely

Paul "Paulie" Ben Slezak Jr., 69, of Ely, died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Celebration of Life services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. Burial will follow in Rogers Grove Cemetery near Ely. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Brosh Chapel. The family requests casual attire in honor of Paulie.

Paul was born Nov. 7, 1945, in Ely, the son of Paul B. and Dorothy (Clark) Slezak Sr. He graduated from Cedar Rapids Prairie High School in 1963. Paul worked at Solon Implement, FMC Linkbelt Speeder, Reserve Supply Lumber Co. and the city of Cedar Rapids Bus Department as a mechanic until his retirement in 2011. He married Bonnie Zbanek Oct. 20, 2000, in Prairie du Chien, Wis.

Paul was an avid outdoorsman, hunting, fishing, trapping, watching wildlife, gardening and driving the area inspecting farming operations. He enjoyed helping area farmers with their tractor repairs at a moment's notice, and treating a child to their first bag of M&M's. The times spent having a cold one with his close friends at Odie's, as well as being around his family, were very important to him.

Paulie is survived by his wife, Bonnie; children, Steven (Michelle) Slezak of Ely, Dawn (Matt) Thomas of Minot, N.D., and Bret Voss of Ely; five grandchildren, Benjamin and Ryan Slezak, Khrissi Cooper and Kimberly and Bailey Voss; siblings, Dolores (Milton) Horak of Waterloo and Wayne (Judith) Slezak of Swisher; a brother-in-law, Hank Bendorf of Shawnee, Kan.; his many nieces and nephews; and his beloved cat, Feebee.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Amber Bendorf; and his nephew, Brian Bendorf.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.