Leonard Chester Jankowiak

He was a member of St Paul the Apostle Church, past commander and newsletter editor for VFW Post # 3530, and longtime member of the Knights of Columbus.

Len had a passion for flying, sketching, detailed model crafting, cars, and playing and composing music. He enjoyed league bowling and loved animals. He was adept with the accordion and considered it his favorite musical instrument. He was an incredibly generous man both in time and spirit. He enjoyed setting up the equipment for the church choir every week until his recent illness. Additionally, he volunteered often, and frequently drove those in need to their doctor appointments and elsewhere. Len was also a devoted family man. He worked tirelessly to put five children through twelve years of Catholic school, and never complained about the sacrifices made to do so. Through the years he attended all of the local children’s' and grandchildren’s' birthdays, school, and team events. It was not all work and no play. Doing most of the work himself, he rebuilt and restored a 1968 Buick Riviera, a two door coupe with a 430 cubic inch “Wildcat” V8, variable pitch torque converter, and front wheel drive. It ran like a top and handled like the luxury sports car he'd made of it. He'd had other favorite cars but this was his pride and joy. His many successes were due to his habit of detailed forethought, and his way of carrying out his work duties with precision, and his family and community duties with a great deal of love and respect for others. Of course, his first love was always his wife, Shirley. He loved not only spending time with her but being able to do things for her. They had many adventures during his time in the air force before settling in Texas.

He is preceded in death by Parents Chester and Celia Jankowiak and his sister Rita and her husband Marty Griffin.

Survived by his wife, Shirley; children: Patrick, Richard and wife Cassey, Mary and husband Ted, Andrew and wife Tegist, and Stephen; grandchildren: Michael, Kyle, Nina, Jonathan, Sarah, Samrah, and Alison; great grandchildren: Jayden, Hailey, and Wyatt; Brother Henry Jankowiak and wife Dorothy.

Funeral arrangements will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at St. Paul the Apostle Church, with a rosary to precede at 6PM Monday, November 2.

To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit www.sparkmanrichardson.com