Louis John Jeselnik Sr.

Mr. Louis John Jeselnik, Sr., 97, entered into rest on August 1, 2018, after an extended illness. He had been under the care of the Georgia War Veterans Home since March 2018.

Mr. Jeselnik was born in Brooksville, Florida on June 21, 1921, to Anton and Frances Janes Jeselnik. He lived the majority of his life in Rocky Ford, GA, first on the "home place" and then on a small farm which he cherished.

He served in the United States Marine Corps during WWII with the Second Marine Division Pioneers and participated in Pacific Island invasions of Tarawa, Tenian, Saipan and Okinawa. He was briefly stationed in Nagasaki after the war ended, assisting with debris removal upon the occupation of Japan.

Mr. Jeselnik was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 58 years, Emily Sowell Jeselnik, brothers, Tony, Blas, John and Jim, and sisters, Alberta and Rose.

Survivors include, a son, John (Alison) Jeselnik of North Augusta, SC, a granddaughter, Lane (Ed) Goodwin and a grandson, Kevin (Brianna) Jesenik.

Mr. Jeselnik was an erstwhile farmer, an accomplished vegetable gardener, and an avid fisherman. His favorite fishing holes were in Englewood and New Smyrna Beach, Florida and the Ogeechee River. He retired at age 67 from BASF Corporation and worked for the next 28 years at Scarborough Bluff Plantation, which was a true labor of love.

Pallbearers will be nephews of Mr. Jeselnik. Honorary pallbearers will be Arthur and Carol Howard, and Cecil Howard, owners of Scarborough Bluff and Bob Dyer.

A special thank you is extended to caregivers and friends Jesse and Annie Watkins of Rocky Ford.

A funeral mass will be held Saturday, August 4, 2018, at 11:00 A.M. at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Sylvania with Father Louis Lussier officiating. Burial will be in the Screven County Memorial Cemetery.

A visitation will be held at Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home in Sylvania from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Friday evening.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Veterans Walk at Kelley Memorial Stadium, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7116, c/o Bill Ferguson, 1206 Ogeechee Road, Sylvania, GA 30467.

Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home of Sylvania is in charge of all arrangements. (912-564-2331)