- Date Of Birth: November 20, 1926
- Date Of Death: May 3, 2019
- State: Illinois
Stanley Francis Ficek, 92, of LaSalle, passed away Friday, May 3, 2019, at Illinois Valley Community Hospital. Stanley was born November 20, 1926, in LaSalle, the 11th child and 10th son of John and Julia Gruszeczka Ficek.
Stanley married Carole Mochnik on June 15, 1957, at St. Roch’s Catholic Church in LaSalle. Carole passed away on October 31, 2011. Stanley’s family was his greatest treasure. Surviving are his four children, Julie (Jeff) Richards of Streator, Catherine (Michael) Grabowski of Peru, Michael (Judy) Ficek of Bloomington, and Jeffrey (Dena) Ficek of LaSalle; 10 grandchildren, Michael Grabowski, Angela Richards, Joelle Grabowski, Jon Richards, Liz Ficek, Jen Ficek, Annie Richards, Ben Ficek, Melissa (Caleb) Wells and Emily Ficek and a host of nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Julia, and his siblings Leo, Edward who died in infancy, Joseph, Roman “Ray,” Edward, John, Stephen, Theodore “Buddy,” Genevieve “Ginia” and Edmund “Doc”.
Stanley was educated at St. Hyacinth’s Grade School, St. Joseph’s Commercial School, LaSalle-Peru High School, and LPO Junior College. Stanley served in the Navy during World War II and was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago and Treasure Island in San Francisco. Stanley held several jobs as a bookkeeper before he joined Sundstrand Corporation, a job that he held for 26 years. He was also very proud of his job as the Sexton of St. Hyacinth’s Cemetery. Stanley was a member of St. Hyacinth’s Catholic Church and St. Stephen’s Men’s Club. During his retirement years, Stanley enjoyed helping his brother, Doc, at Ficek’s Lodge. He was also very proud to have had the opportunity to travel to his parent’s homeland in Zembrzyce, Poland, and to also travel to Washington, D.C., on an Honor Flight. Stanley was a long-time Red Cross blood donor. Stanley’s family wishes to thank Dr. Mario Cote and the staff at Illinois Valley Community Hospital for their excellent care of and compassion for Stanley in his final days. Stanley was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather and he will be greatly missed.
