Stephen Daniel Brkljack

Stephen Daniel Brkljack, age 91, of Savanna, Illinois, died Sunday, September 21, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center North, Clinton Iowa. A funeral mass will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 25, 2014 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Savanna. A visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna. A memorial fund has been established in Stephen’s memory.
Stephen was born January 9, 1923, in Savanna, the son of Dan and Dorothy (Yakovich) Brkljack. He attended St. John’s grade school and Savanna High School, graduating with the Class of 1940. After graduation, Stephen worked at the Savanna Army Depot until he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 at Great Lakes, Illinois. He served his country in the Navy until 1946, when he returned to the Savanna Army Depot. In 1947, Stephen began working for the Milwaukee Railroad as a storeroom clerk and continued until his retirement in March of 1987. During his time with the Milwaukee Railroad, he worked in Bensenville, IL., Savanna, IL., Dubuque, IA., and Nahant, IA.
Stephen married Marie Johns on November 3, 1951 in Savanna. During their marriage, they lived in Dubuque, Iowa and Savanna. Steve loved to talk about the time he spent working for the railroad. He enjoyed football, basketball, and especially spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Stephen will be dearly missed by his wife, Marie; his three children, Lou Ann (Tom) Hoskins of Bettendorf, Iowa, David (Kathy) Brkljack of Fulton, Illinois, and Mary Kay (Steven) Maines of Downers Grove, Illinois; and five grandchildren, Nate Hoskins, Brandon Maines, Stephanie Hoskins, Ryan Maines and Stephanie (Steven) Phillips; one great-granddaughter, Alexus Phillips. Stephen is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Ann Decker.