Jack Arthur Zvolanek, 91, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2018, in Ellsworth. He was born in Ellsworth, Kansas on February 13, 1927, to Anton and Sophia (Hajny) Zvolanek and was raised on a farm east of Black Wolf, Kansas. He attended South Excelsior Elementary School south of Black Wolf, helped his dad as well as neighbors with farm work, and attended Ellsworth High School, where he played football every year.
During Jack’s senior year, he and several of his friends joined the U.S. Navy to serve in WWII. Jack’s tour of duty was on a troop carrying ship in the Pacific War Zone. After the war was over he and his buddies returned to Ellsworth to finish their senior year of high school and took classes to get their G.E.D. certificates.
In 1947 Jack was hired as a lineman by S.W. Bell Telephone Co. and worked 2 years as an unlocated lineman. On April 17, 1948, Jack and Pauline Marcotte were married in St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Ellsworth and soon after, moved to Abilene, Kansas where he was a central office repairman and toll transmission technician for S.W. Bell. He retired in 1985 after 39 years.
The couple had five children and raised them on a small farm between Abilene and Solomon, where they also raised melons and Christmas trees, and a few farm animals. Jack was an avid outdoorsman; loved game hunting, golfing, boating, and fishing, especially river fishing. Other hobbies were fossil hunting, hunting for Indian relics, and rock hounding.
When sons John, Neal, and Jim were growing up, Jack coached little league baseball until they were too old to play, but Jack umpired little league and men’s softball games for many more years.
After retirement Jack and Pauline bought a motorhome and started traveling, visiting most of the U.S., the North Eastern Canadian Provinces, and parts of Mexico.
In 1990 the couple moved back “home” to Ellsworth County, living for thirteen years in Wilson before moving to Ellsworth. He spent most of his spare time golfing or fishing, playing poker on Wednesday nights with his buddies, and volunteering for the senior center as a driver delivering meals. He served as the president of the Wilson Lions Club for many years.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Victor, and his sister, Helen Peppiatt. He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Pauline, five children, John (Berta) of Lincoln, California, Connie (Lynn) Graf, South Willmington, Illinois, Teresa (Dave) Secord, Galva, Kansas, Neal (Tina) of Abilene, Kansas, and Jim, Kanopolis, Kansas, thirteen grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren.
Cremation has been chosen and a Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018, 2:00 p.m., at the Ellsworth Senior Center 115 E. N. Main St.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Ellsworth Senior Center, Ellsworth County Historical Society, St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, or St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church.
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