Bill Svetlik, Sr.

Bill "Hippy" A. Svetlik Sr., 79 of Springfield, passed away peacefully at his home after a courageous fight, succumbed to pancreatic cancer on Saturday April 5, 2008 at 5:15 pm among family. Bill was born in Dorchester, IL on April 24, 1928, the son of John and Mary (Yanas) Svetlik, Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Gerald. He graduated from Staunton High School, Staunton, Illinois. After graduation in 1946 he enlisted in the US Navy. He was stationed in San Diego and served his country in Saipan, Tsinan, and Guam as a Seabee maintaining numerous Navy vehicles before receiving an honorable discharge in May 1948 with a World War II Victory Medal. Bill was employed at Pillsbury Mills in Springfield for 43 yrs, as a millwright. He retired in 1993. He was a life long member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4179, American Legion Post, of Worden, Illinois and St. Joseph Church. He married Joan (Joann) O'Brien, May 18, 1957, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Bill and Joann celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on May 20, 2007 with a special mass and luncheon at St. Joseph's Church with family and their friends. Bill was a hard working man and a jack of all trades who could fix anything. He was in constant motion never stopping, even till the end. He was easy going, friendly, hospitable and generous. He was always ready to help and had a solution for every problem and had a way of making things simple. He did not want to be acknowledged for anything he did; when he helped, he simply helped. He liked to have a few cold beers now and then with his buddies and have lively discussions about Ford being better than Chevy; Democrats better than Republicans; and how unions were a far better choice for our country than non-unions. Bill was a faithful and honorable man to his wife, family, relatives, friends, country and church. His favorite condiment was ketchup and liked it on everything! He was an avid newspaper reader every morning with his coffee. And he had a soft spot for his grandchildren, kittens, and for people less fortunate than himself. Bill enjoyed being outside fishing at the pond, boating at Lake Springfield, farming with the Bodner's, working on cars with his friends, swimming, bowling, baseball (and in 1954 he pitched a no hitter), visiting his sons in Arizona and Colorado and spending time at the junkyard. He loved big bonfires and burned everything: mattresses, tires, trees, and all kinds of junk. And he always had old motor oil and gas around to "Get 'er going"! There are a million things that Bill will always be remembered for and we could go on and on but we wanted to mention a few that really stand out: The time he thought he could ride a bike on the frozen pond and broke his leg, writing his name and date on everything and never forgetting his children's birthdays. Whether you remember him as William, Bill, Dad, Grandpa, Hippy, Willie, Frog he will be greatly missed. Survived by his loving wife Joan (Joann); sons; William (Teresa) Svetlik Jr. of Tucson, AZ., Mark (Patricia) Svetlik, Lafayette CO., daughters; Susan (Ed) Nance of Staunton, Therese Svetlik, Jeanie (Marc) Landers and Joanie (John) Weiss, all of Auburn. Grandchildren; Kasey Crisp, Edward Nance II, Chris Nance, Katie and Rachel Svetlik, Chaz, Camaren, Sydney, and Shelby Landers, Nicholas Geoghegan, Michelle Svetlik, and Peyton and Parker Weiss. Great Step Grandchildren; Logan, Dylan, Jordan and Sophie Nance. Siblings: John J. (Eleanor) Svetlik, from Springfield, and Charles Svetlik from Beavercreek, Oregon Family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday April 13, 2008 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday April 14, 2008 at St. Joseph Church, 1345 N. 6th St., Springfield, IL with Rev. Msgr. Thomas P. Holinga, V.F., celebrant. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery where the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph School, 1344 N. 5th St., Springfield, IL 62702.