Dr. Gerhard Malcharek

Dr. Gerhard Malcharek, age 91, of Fairview Heights, IL, passed away on Monday, May 1, 2023. Gerhard was born June 22, 1931, in Ottise, Czechoslovakia to the late Ernst and Hedwig (Peterek) Malcharek. He married Aileen (nee Sandberg) Malcharek on December 19, 1964 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Chicago, IL. They resided in Irvington, Illinois from 1967 through 2017 when they relocated to Fairview Heights, IL.

He is survived by his wife, Aileen; daughter, Dr. Marianne (Ray) McDaniel of O’Fallon, IL; son Dr. Paul (JoAnne) Malcharek of Edwardsville, IL; and grandchildren Jessica (Tyler) Mode, Mark (Amanda) Manera, Kyle Manera, Abby McDaniel, Lily McDaniel, Katie Malcharek, Amy Malcharek, Nicholas McDaniel, Jacob McDaniel; Sisters Adela Crusco, Viki Haflova and Elly Matyaskova. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ernst Malcharek; sister Hedwig Malcharek.

He served in the German Army during World War II after being drafted at age 13. He was a Russian POW and was awarded the German Wound Badge (equivalent to the American Purple Heart). He immigrated to the United States in 1951, sponsored by Dr. Clarence Field. He joined the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War as an engineer. He was wounded in Korea, earning him 2 Purple Hearts.

After Korea, he returned to Chicago and attended North Park College (now University). He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University. He taught in the Chicago Public School system until he attended the University of Illinois Dental School in Chicago, where he graduated with a D.D.S. in 1966.

He worked as a dentist at Murray Center in Centralia, IL as their first dentist. He had a private dental practice in Irvington, IL in his “spare time”. He also served 31 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as Colonel from the 5506 Dental Service Detachment. After retirement, he drove veterans from Marion County, IL to their appointments at the VA Hospital in Marion, IL.

A visitation for Gerhard will be held Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Lake View Funeral Home, 5000 North Illinois Street, Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208. A funeral service will occur Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 3:00 PM, 5000 North Illinois Street, Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208. An interment with military honors will occur Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 12:30 PM at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, MO 63125. Memorial contributions can be made to Zion Lutheran Church, Mascoutah, IL or HSHS Hospice.