DeRoyce J. Jelinek was born June 8, 1942, to Adolph “Murph” and Eleanor (Pospichal) Jelinek in San Diego, California.
He attended high school at Northeast in Lincoln then graduated from Ulysses in 1960. On Sept. 7, 1963, DeRoyce was united in marriage to Loretta Janak at St. Francis Catholic Church in David City. He worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber before retiring in 1996.
In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards and most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. DeRoyce passed away March 7, 2026, in Seward, at the age of 83.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Loretta Jelinek of Seward; children, Barb (Brad) Tesch of Fountain Hills, Arizona, Brenda (Jay) Hartman of Seward, and Bonnie (Jamie) Knisley of Goehner; grandchildren, Drew (Amber) Wieseman, Allison (Jess) Reed, Travis Tesch, Jacob (Allison) Christian, Colton Hartman, Carley (Broc) LaVelle, and Gabe Knisley; great-grandchildren, Teagan, Kaysen and Tripp Wieseman, Cove and Banks Christian, Tenley and Tanner Reed, Lainey LaVelle; brother, Allan "Buzz" Jelinek and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph "Murph" and Eleanor Jelinek; parents-in-law, Ernest and Olga Janak; brother, Gary Jelinek; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Marion Janak, Larry Janak, Bernedette (Janak) and William Froehner, John Hladky and Rose Jelinek.
A memorial mass is Friday, March 13, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with committal at a later date in the Seward Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Jelinek family.
Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
