Carol Jon Silhacek

Carol Jon Silhacek was born Sept. 25, 1939, southwest of Pierce on the family homestead to John and Helen (Kouba) Silhacek Jr. He was baptized March 17, 1940. He was received as a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Pierce, on March 26, 1961. He attended Pierce Public Schools and graduated from Pierce High School in 1957. He enlisted Nov. 13, 1957, to Aug. 12, 1960, in the United States Army. He attended basic training at Ft. Carson, Colo. He served at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland where he successfully completed training as a welder blacksmith. He was then assigned to an Army ordnance unit in West Germany where he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. He was released from active service and returned to Pierce where he continued to serve in the Army Reserve until his honorable discharge in October 1963. On Sept. 18, 1960, he married Mardell May at Zion Lutheran Church, Pierce. They lived and farmed southwest of Pierce on the John Silhacek homestead. They had three children, Debra, Clay and Brian, and five grandchildren. Carol began work at Nucor Steel in 1973. He retired after 34 years in 2007 as a welder. In addition to working for Nucor, Carol farmed full time and raised Charolais cattle for 50 years. Carol enjoyed attending his grandchildrens' sporting and musical events and traveling with his wife. Carol was a member of the Pierce County Agricultural Society, a member of the Norfolk American Legion and a member of Zion Lutheran Church and a past member of the Pierce Jaycees. Survivors include his wife, Mardell, of 50 years; daughter Debra Fox and husband Mark and children Eric and Morgan of Smithville, Mo.; son Clay and wife Leanne of Pierce; son Brian of Norfolk and children Cody, Kenley and Sydney of Pierce. He is also survived by a sister, Jean Jindra of Clarkson. He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents, John and Mary (Pospisil) Silhacek Sr. and Anton and Mary (Jenista) Kouba Sr. Music will be by organist Mrs. Dottie Ahlers and congregational hymns "What A Friend We Have In Jesus," "Old Rugged Cross," "Nearer My God To Thee." Casket bearers will be Cody Silhacek, Kenley Silhacek, Eric Fox, Mark May, Dustin May, Craig May. Honorary casket bearers will be Mark Fox, Keith May, David May, Sydney Silhacek, Morgan Fox, Roger Jindra. Graveside services for Carol Jon Silhacek, 71, of Pierce will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Norfolk with military rites by American Legion Post 16 , VFW Post 1644 and United States Army Honors Guard. The Rev. Chip Winter will officiate.Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Zion Lutheran Church at Pierce. Visitation will be 3-6 p.m. Sunday at Stonacek Memorial Chapel at Pierce. He died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at Pierce Manor.

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Carol Jon Silhacek

September 25, 1939 - December 22, 2010