Edward Sedlak

I have sad news; we lost my dad, Edward F. Sedlak this past Monday, March 16, 2015. He was going to be 92 years old April 2nd. A memorial service will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2015 at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, Illinois.
Ed Sedlak had a full life. He was born on April 02, 1923 to Fred P. Sedlak and Louisa (Bejsovec) Sedlak in Yankton, SD. He grew up in a Bohemian family (grandparents’ and aunt’s birthplace now called Prague, Czechoslovakia). His family’s grandparents immigrated and all his aunts and uncles lived very close growing. He shared a story that, while in the Navy, his buddies looked forward to the weekend to go to the bars, but he looked forward to going home. There his family would be gathered, all playing different instruments, hosting a street dance! He served in the Navy through WWII on an LST. He was a Master Chief Mechanic.
After a few odd jobs, Ed began working for Massey (Harris) Ferguson farm implements. He spent years as a Service Manager with a wide territory covering most of Northwestern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.
He married my mom, Mary Lu, just before the war ended. He had 8 children total, but the first 2 were lost at birth or shortly after. The 6 of us that remained were raised to be people of integrity. (We do our best, Dad.) After 43 years of marriage, we lost mom when she was just 61 years old. After 3 years, he remarried his best friend's widow, Mary Cover. They have spent time together, but essentially continued to live separate lives.
Dad lived in a little house right on the banks of the Mississippi River. The communities of Savanna and Thomson were Dad's life blood these last 25 years. He was very active in the Savanna VFW, serving as part of their Honor Guard unit.
Ed enjoyed working outdoors, fishing, building and repairing anything that needed fixing and spending lots of time with his family and friends. Ed was always very proud of his wife and children. As Dad slowed down, his friends just picked up the slack. It took a village to keep the "old duffer" in his home these last 3 or 4 years, but they did it willingly and with great love and respect for my dad. I can't begin to thank them and words would never be enough!
Dad passed away very peaceful here, in our home, surrounded by all of his children. Survivors include his wife Mary, two sons: Rick (Mary Jo) Sedlak, Burlington, WI and Randy (Kim) Sedlak, Rockford, IL. Three daughters: Sally Curtis Zareie, Centennial, CO; Sherri (Kyle) Clardy, Rockford, IL; and Becca Sedlak, Littleton, CO. In addition, Ed is survived by ten grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Edward was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Lu, son, Joseph, brother, William Sedlak, sister, Emma (Sedlak) Luken, and grandsons, Mostaffa Zareie and Matthew Herbig.