Stanley Bezak

Stanley Bezak, 95, of New Athens, Ill. formerly of Lenzburg, Ill., and Poplar Bluff died Thursday, May 21, 2009 at The New Athens Nursing Home.

Mr. Bezak was born Jan. 16, 1914 in Thompsonville, Conn. He was a 20 year military veteran of the U.S. Army and Air Force. During WW2, from 1934 to 1937 he trained with US Army Field Artillery in Vermont and Hawaii and from 1938 to 1940 served with the U.S. Air Force in the China-Burma-India Theater. After retiring from the military he worked 20 years with MOPAC Railroad as a brakeman/conductor. He was a member of First Baptist Church in New Athens, Ill.; VFW Post #7710 in New Athens; RSVP Choral Group; Lenzburg Lions Club; Masonic Order; Scottish Rite Body of Illinois.; American Legion #154 Enfield, Conn.; and Ainad Temple Shriners.

In Oct. of 1944 he was married to Eunice Dicken in San Antonio, Tex. She preceded him in death on Nov. 30, 1992.

Mr. Besak is survived by sister, Annie LeGeyt of Milford, Conn.; 4 grandchildren: Harold H. Hicks, Renda K. Puckett and husband Mark, Stanna Gale Balestri, and Charles Lee Hicks; 16 great grandchildren, 19 great-great grandchildren, 1 great-great-great grandchild; and a very dear friend and caregiver, Reba Jones of New Athens.

His parents Stanislau ""Stanley"" and Mary (Motyka) Bezak, sisters: Helen Lesniak, Connie Mankus, Antoinette Yucha, Josephine Maguder, Wanda Fraska, and Mary Pratson, brother, Joseph Bezak and step-sons, Charles Melvin Hicks and Harold Ralph Hicks preceded Mr. Bezak in death.

Visitation will be from 1 - 2 p.m. Sunday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel. A graveside service with full military honors will follow at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Dicken Cemetery in Butler County with the Rev. Gary Wicks officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorials are encouraged to be sent to First Baptist Church of New Athens, Ill., or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.