Bernard “Bud” Jilka, 92, of Salina, passed away April 30, 2018, at Salina Regional Health Center. Mr. Jilka was best known locally as the owner of long-time downtown Salina business Jilka Furniture, the family business he ran from 1957 until his retirement in 2015.
Bud Jilka was born in Salina, Dec. 3, 1925 to Edward and Mary (Schwartz) Jilka. He graduated from Salina Sacred Heart High School in 1943, and then proceeded to Kansas State University where he played basketball for the Wildcats. Called away to military service after his freshman year, he served his country in the army in the Pacific theater for the duration of World War II. Afterwards he returned to Kansas State and graduated in 1949 with a degree in Business Administration.
After brief stints as a life insurance salesman, high school band and choir director, and work with an accounting firm he returned to Salina to take over the family furniture business.
Bud married Loretta Shank, June 24, 1961, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Niles. The couple had three children, Alan, Michael and Kathryn.
Bud and Loretta were parishioners of St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church in Salina for the entirety of their marriage. Bud was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, and Phi Theta Kappa fraternity. He also participated in many organizations throughout his community and church in roles that included stints as President of the Salina Downtown Merchants’ Association and service on the Salina Catholic School Board and St. Mary’s Parish Council. Music was also a major part of his life and he spent many years cantoring at St. Mary’s, singing in the church choir, and singing for many weddings and funerals. He was a long-time member of the Salina Barbershop Choir and played in the Salina Municipal Band.
Bud Jilka loved the retail business environment and the opportunities it provided for daily interaction with customers, many of whom became lifelong friends.
He is survived by: his wife of 56, Loretta, of the home; sons, Alan, of Salina, and Mike (Mary) of Lawrence; daughter, Kathy (Brian) Tempas of St. Paul, Minn.; grandchildren, Nicole, Sierra and Quinn Tempas; and foster grandson, Luis Moran.
Bud was preceded in death by: his parents; and his two siblings, Laurence “Larry” Jilka, and Marilyn Dobratz.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, with rosary service at 7 p.m. at Ryan Mortuary, Salina.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 3, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Rev. Kerry Ninemire officiating. Interment will be at Mount Cavalry Cemetery following the funeral mass.
The family suggests memorials to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Grade School, and Sacred Heart High School.
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