Gary was born Dec. 9, 1943, in Lincoln, to Adolph and Eleanor (Pospichal) Jelinek.
He was baptized and confirmed at St. Wencelaus Catholic Church in Bee. He graduated from Seward High School in 1961. On Feb. 27, 1965, he was united in marriage to Sharon Beach, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, in Seward. To this union, two sons were born, Terry and Michael. The couple lived all their married life in the Seward area. Gary was employed at Hughes Brothers, Inc., in Seward for many years, and later at Tenneco Automotive at Seward.
Fishing was his greatest joy/hobby, and he planned to fish every day after his retirement. He had great accomplishments in that sport on large and small lakes, small ponds or even the rivers in the area. He was also an avid sports fan, enjoying all sports, but mostly admiring basketball.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; sisters-in-law, Jeanne Hagemoser and Rose Jelinek; and brother-in-law, Don Hagemoser. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Sharon; and his two sons, Terry and wife Tammy of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Mike and wife Tammy of Lincoln; brothers, DeRoyce (Loretta), Seward, Allan, Bee, and Dan (Peggy) Panama City Beach, Florida; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A signing of the remembrance book will be Friday, Feb. 21, from 3 – 8 p.m. at Volzke Funeral Home with a gathering of family and friends from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial is Saturday, Feb. 22, at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward with committal at the Seward Cemetery.
Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
