Shimak, Edward W.

Edward W. Shimak, 80, of Gilbertville, died Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013, at his home of lung cancer.

He was born Nov. 1, 1932, in Protivin, son of John F. and Anastasia “Stella” Polashek Shimak, and graduated from Rudolphinum High School in Protivin in 1951. Edward married Phyllis Rathjens on April 27, 1957, in Cedar Rapids.

He was employed with Rath Packing Co., Waterloo, retiring after 32 years of service. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and served in the Korean War aboard the USS Bryce Canyon.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; three sons, Martin (Sandra) of Cedar Rapids, Michael (Carolyn) of Cresco and Matthew (Janel) of Cedar Rapids; three daughters, Monica (Michael) Stanley of Janesville, Wis., Maureen Meade of Cedar Rapids and Michelle Shimak of Gilbertville; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Adella (Donald) Laue of Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond and Clarence in infancy; and two sisters, Valaria Shimak and Helen (Edward) Balik.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Gilbertville, where military rites will be conducted by Nugent-Demuth American Legion Post 714. Graveside services will be 3 p.m. Monday at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Protivin. Public visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on West Ridgeway in Waterloo, where there will be a 4 p.m. rosary and a 7 p.m. vigil service. Visitation also held for an hour before services at the church on Monday.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Condolences may be left at www.hagartywaychoffgrarup.com.

Published Oct. 25, 2013 in The Gazette