Vaclav, Florian John

Florian John Vaclav, 92, of Ames, passed away April 14, 2011. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 18, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Ames. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Stevens Memorial Chapel in Ames, with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be at Ames Municipal Cemetery.

John was born in Cedar Rapids on May 2, 1918, to William and Josephine (Porebna) Vaclav. He graduated from high school in Cedar Rapids and attended Coe College for two years before joining the United States Army in July 1941. He served in World War II as a staff sergeant in Company A of the 713th MP Battalion until he was honorably discharged in 1945. He married Mary K. Hassett on June 20, 1950. They lived in Nevada, Iowa before moving to Ames in 1957.

John worked as a sales representative for Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance. After retiring from Blue Cross Blue Shield, he worked for Orkin Pest Control and later KD Amusement. He also served as “Mayor” of Glendale Avenue.

He was an avid golfer and a member of American Legion Post 37, the Ames Moose Lodge and the Ames Elks Lodge 1626. He served on the American Legion Honor Guard for many years.

John is survived by his son, Mike, his daughter-in-law, Connie, and his grandson, Michael.

He was preceded in death by his wife, two sisters and one brother.

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