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Funeral services for John Blazek, 93, of Prescott will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 28, at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center. Rev. Mary O’Riley will officiate. John will be laid to rest in the Bohemian National Cemetery in Adams County with Military Honors by the US Army, Williamson American Legion Post #719 and the Creston VFW Post #1797. Visitation is open to the public 4-8 p.m., with family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 27.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Williamson Legion Hall, the Bohemian Cemetery or EveryStep Hospice. Memories and condolences can be shared online at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.
John Edward Blazek, was born Feb. 22, 1930, the son of Rudolph and Gladys (Coleman) Blazek, at the family farm north of Prescott in Adams County. John attended school at Union #3 until the eighth grade and graduated from Prescott High School with the class of 1948.
On Sept. 4, 1951, John was drafted into the Army where he was inducted at Omaha, Nebraska, and stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, for basic training. Following military training, he arrived in Korea, April 4, 1952, and was assigned to the 25th Division 14th Regiment Company G. His tour of duty took him to Punch Bowl, Heartbreak Ridge and Kum Hwa Valley. John left the front lines Jan. 9, 1953. After arriving back to the states, he was assigned to an anticraft division in Detroit, Michigan, to complete his tour of duty. On June 3, 1953, he was honorably discharged from Battle Creek, Michigan, and returned home to farm.
On Feb. 3, 1961, John was united in marriage to Margaret Ann “Bid” Garity in Creston. The couple moved to a farm northeast of Prescott known as the Keever farm. To this union five children were born: Deammie Jo, Gary Gene “Jake”, Tammy Ann, Patricia Lynn and Daniel Joseph “Boone”. John had a passion for farming.
He and Bid continued to farm with John’s dad, Rud. The family farm operation consisted of raising cows and various crops including corn, soybeans, and hay. John also raised purebred hogs for many years. John continued to be part of the family farming operation with his son Jake until the time of death.
When able to take a break from farming John and Bid enjoyed attending American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary events and playing golf with friends. One of John’s fondest memories was the trip he and Bid were able to take to Hawaii.
John was a member of the Williamson American Legion Post 719 and the Creston VFW Theodore J Martens Post 1797. He was involved with the Williamson American Legion Post 719 where he served as commander for three years and adjutant for over 30 years. He also served the American Legion District 7 as vice commander and adjutant.
Being a veteran, John faced many difficulties, but with those difficulties he also received some of his most treasured recognitions. In September 2014, John was able to take part in one of the Honor Flights which took him to the nation’s capital to see the memorials commemorating his services.
He was also honored with a Quilt of Valor, made by Marlene Mullin and made an honorary charter member of the Williamson American Legion.
John served Adams County as a Union Township trustee. After 44 years of service, he retired in 2022. John entered eternal rest June 22, 2023, at the family farm at the age of 93 years and four months.
John was preceded in death by his wife Margaret “Bid”; his parents Rudolph and Gladys; two daughters, Deammie Jo and Patricia Lynn Blazek; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and Wayne Kenfield and Daisy and Robert Brown; his brother, Louis Blazek; great-grandson, Brody and numerous Garity relatives.
Left to cherish John’s memory include his three children: Gary Blazek (friend Cherokie Davis) of Prescott, Tammy (Mark) Rychnovsky of Diagonal and Daniel (Angie) Blazek of Nevinville; seven grandchildren: Jocelyn Blazek, Robyn Blazek (friend Andy), Deirdre Blazek (friend Jimmy), Brook and Blake Rychnovsky and Nathaniel and Emma Blazek; four stepgrandchildren: Tya Wilson (friend Chris), Taryn Naill (friend Skeeter), Rusti (Andrew) Rhamy and Treyg (Ashlyn) Webb; four great-grandchildren: Gabe Blazek, Braxton Blazek, Joziah and Aliyah Kirk and eight great-stepgrandchildren: Makade and Liam Wilson, Skylar and Cameron Webb, Tylyn Hall, Nolan, Blaykelyn and Atlee Rhamy; sister-in-law Darlene Blazek, as well as numerous Garity relatives, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.