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James E. Stanek
1922-2013
james stanek
James E. Stanek, 1922-2013

James E. Stanek, age 91 years, of Hillsboro, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013 at his home with his family at his side.

He was born on Feb. 3, 1922 to Wencil and Helen (Benish) Stanek and raised in the Champion Valley and White City area.
He served in the 96 Infantry Division/96th Quartermaster Co. in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Philippines and Okinawa, receiving his honorable discharge Jan. 12, 1946 as Corporal.

James was united in marriage to Bernice (Gross) Cilley on Dec. 30, 1953.
He worked on construction driving gravel truck, later worked as a mechanic for Cepek Pontiac Garage and then owned and operated Stanek’s Garage and school buses as a contractor for the Hillsboro School District for 25 years, retiring Dec. 31, 1983.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 223 and went on the WWII Honor Flight in September of 2011.  He enjoyed fishing at Lake of the Woods with Orval, Larry and Jimmy Steinmetz and friends, Sunday morning breakfasts, trips to the casino, playing cribbage and the many travels and trips to Florida with his uncle, Edwin Benish.

Survivors include his sister, Bernice (Orval) Steinmetz of Harmony, MN; stepsons, Clifford Cilley of Elroy and Ron (Virginia) Cilley of Hillsboro; step grandchildren; step great grandchildren and step great great grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephew and a very special friend, Marcella Fronk.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice; Parents; step father, Jeffry Stanek; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Lil Stone, Mary (Don) Thomas, Adeline (Frank) Pacl and brother, Ray (Dorothy) Stanek.

Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013 at 11 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, with Father Don Bauer officiating.  Burial with military rites was in the Mount Vernon Cemetery in Hillsboro.  Friends called at the Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vernon Memorial Hospice or the St. Aloysius Catholic Church.  For online information go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com