Vladimir Jelinek, 75
Vladimir “Val” Jelinek, 75, of Grand View, WI, died Monday, April 1, 2013, in Grand View.
He was born April 27, 1937, in P r a g u e , C z e c h o - slovakia, a son of Vladimir and Marie (Snopova) Jelinek. Val left Czechoslovakia with his family after WWII. They moved to Canada, where they crop farmed for several years. He worked as an electrician in northern Illinois for 37 years, and was a member of the Local Union 134. Val married Karen “Kay” on March 24, 1984, in Antioch, IL. The couple moved to Grand View in 2002 following retirement. Val was an outdoorsman who loved anything that had a gas engine. He was an avid pilot and built two of his own airplanes and his own airport, which was called the Benoit International Airport by many of his friends and neighbors. He was a current member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, and was involved in the preparation for the air shows that were held in Ashland, WI. Val also enjoyed motorcycling, snowmobiling, building old Jeeps, cutting wood and being with friends and family.
He is survived by his wife; two sons Richard (Stacy) Jelinek, Richmond, IL, and Stephen Jelinek (Linda Lee & Squeeks), Burlington, WI; stepdaughter Amanda (Len) Tolonen, Downs, IL; two step-grandsons Jacob and Dylan; three sisters, Bela Juna, Marie Flicek, New Prague, and Margie Rentmeester; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral and graveside services will be held later this spring, with burial taking place in the Grand View Cemetery.
Visitation was held Friday, April 5, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Roberts Funeral Home in Ashland, WI.
