William J. Balusek, Sr.

William J. Balusek, Sr., 85, of Topeka, passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2006 at his home. He was born July 19, 1920 in Holland, TX, the son of Karol and Annie J. Kovanec Balusek. He was an Army Air Corp veteran of WWII, serving in Europe four years and also served in the Korean War. He resided in Dallas, TX before moving his family to Topeka in the mid 1950's. He was employed by Whelans Lumber Company for twenty-eight years before retiring in November of 1981. He was a member of the Topeka Seventh-Day Adventist Church. William married Maxine R. Mix on December 24, 1946 in Topeka. She survives. Other survivors include one son, William J. Balusek, Jr. and wife, Donita, four daughters, Marion M. Kieffer and husband, Gale, Anne Dinger and husband, Chuck all of Topeka, Rose Puff and husband, Jon of Springfield, MO, and Judy Coffey and husband, Scott of Little Elm, TX, ten grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, one brother, Ligie Balusek of Mesquite, TX and one sister, Lillie Martinets of Temple, TX. William was preceded in death by one grandson, one great-grandson, two brothers and two sisters. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Topeka Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Burial will follow in Topeka Cemetery where military honors will be presented by a burial detail from Fort Riley, KS. William will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Thursday evening. Memorial contributions may be given to the organization of the donor's choice.