Obituary of John Svehlak

SVEHLAK-John E. Svehlak, age 74, beloved husband of Olga Popowchak Svehlak of Oxford, died December 20, 2008 in the West Haven VA Medical Center. Born in Derby on June 19, 1934, he was the son of the late John J. and Genevieve Plsek Svehlak. Mr. Svehlak was a US Army Veteran of the Korean War and Graduate of Bullard Havens High School and the Bridgeport Engineering School. He worked as a self employed carpenter in the building and remodeling business for many years until his retirement. Mr. Svehlak served as Chief of the Oxford Center Fire Dept. and was a committee member of the new firehouse building committee. He was the Town of Oxford, Burning Official, member of the Building Code Board of Appeals, and Clerk of Works, for the Oxford Senior Center Building. He was a longtime Communicant of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Seymour, as well as its men's club and member of the David S. Miles Post #174, Oxford, American Legion and the St. Michael's CWV Post 1562, Derby. In addition to his wife of 46 years, he is survived by his devoted children, John S. Svehlak and his wife, Karin of Seymour, Dr. Stephen A. Svehlak of Los Angeles, CA, Daniel J. Svehlak and Cynthia A, Svehlak, both of Oxford; sister, Mildred Higgins and her husband, Connie of WV, a brother Henry Svehlak and his wife Suzie of TX and a cherished grandson, John S. Svehlak of Seymour, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Genevieve "Sonia" Schenck. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 9:15 AM from the Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Ave., Ansonia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Church of the Good Shepherd, 135 Mountain Rd., Seymour at 10:30 AM. Springtime interment will take place with Military Honors in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Derby. Family and friends may call on Friday, December 26, 2008 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Oxford Center Fire Dept., 462 Oxford Rd., Oxford, CT 06478-1233 or to the Church of the Good Shepherd. On line condolences may made at www.wakeleememorial.com.