contributor: Mary Wilinski

JOHN C. WILINSKI JR, 88,
dies on Feb. 23, 2003
of Pulaski

John C. Wilinski Jr, died peacefully Sunday morning, Feb.23, 2003 at home with his daughter Anna, son Joseph and grandson Dewayne at his bedside.

The son of the late John Sr and Helen {Swiecihowski] Wilinski was born Oct. 17th, 1914 in Krakow. On Aug. 6, 1940 he married Helen Sophia Pawlak in Lena. Wis. He farmed in the Town of Maple Grove from 1942 until his retirement in 1982. John bought his first baler in 1969 and before that used a hay loader and pitched hay by hand. He also had threshed oats and filled silo the old fashioned way. John loved horses, tractors, cows, chickens, dogs and cats. He also loved gardening, too.

(Contibutor's note: John Wilinski even met with JOHN DILLINGER [famous 1930's ganster), when he was young . In the early years Dillinger had stayed in Krakow, Wis., near the train tracks .. and even had a place to stay in the old sheds. This was just a few months before Dillinger got shot, too. Dad talked about this alot so I wanted to include this.)

Survivors include seven sons and three daughters; Martin, Genoa City; Leonard [LaVerne], GreenBay; Richard [fiance Peggy] Freedom; Donald, Warren, Mich; James {Christine}, Green Bay; Joseph [Katey], Little Suamico; Mary, Green Bay; Paul, Oconto; Anna with whom he made his home, Pulaski; Josephine [Allen] Dollar, Green Bay; 25 grandchildren, 15 greatgranchildren; brothers and sister, Agnes Dolata of Krakow; Peter of Pulaski; Edward of Birnarmwood; Frank {Angeline] Wilinski of Green Bay; Walter [MaryAnn] Wilinski, Demark; his aunts Verna Jach, Green Bay; Elizabeth Klimaszewski, Sobieski.

He was preceded in death by his wife Helen S.{Pawlak] Wilinski on Dec 4, 1994. one grandson, Jason Hauschultz. one brother and sister in law, William and Helen {Wojkowicz] Wilinski; one sister Mary Smurawa and brother in law Joseph Smurawa; his parents, John Alex Wilinski,Sr. and Helena Swieicichowski Wilinski.

Friends may call at the Marnocha Funeral Home, Pulaski from 4 to9 pm. Tuesday with Wake Service 8:30 pm Tuesday. Visitation continues after 9:30 am Wednesday at Assumption BVM Church, Pulaski. Funeral Mass; 10:30 am Wednesday at the church FR. Brendan Wroblewski, OFM. presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery. A special thank you to Tri-Country Rescue Squad, County Rescue, the staff of St Mary's Hospital ER ; and to Fr. Brendan and to Fr. Patrick.

( Contributor's note: John C. Wilinski Jr's father, also named John, helped build the stone building in Oconto County near Krakow, Wi.)