Robert "Bob" Blahnik

Robert J. (Bob) Blahnik, 87, DeKalb, Illinois, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 5, 2014. He was born on November 24, 1927 in Alaska, WI, son of the late Leander and Agnes (Blahnik) Blahnik. Bob was born at home on Thanksgiving day in 1927. After attending local country schools, he graduated from Brussels High School. He was drafted and served in the Army Air Corps at the end of WWII and served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was discharged in September of 1951. October 1, 2014 he went on the Veteran’s Honor flight to Washington, DC. He married Glenna Mary Cardin on September 8, 1951 at St. Phillip the Apostle Catholic Church in Green Bay, WI. She preceded him in death on July 25, 2012. The family grew as they traveled for Bob’s work for the telephone industry. First as a Telephone Office Equipment Installer, then as an Equipment Engineer, and retired as Director of Purchasing. They settled in Virgil, IL, to raise the family and after 17 years moved to Pleasant Lake, MI. Upon Bob’s retirement, they moved to Dixon, IL and eventually to DeKalb, IL, to be closer to family when Glenna’s health began to decline. There Bob was a devoted husband and took loving care of Glenna his wife of 60 plus years. All who knew Bob could tell you of his passion to research and share the Blahnik family tree. Bob was an avid Packer fan who would often tell the story of the construction of Lambeau Field and his parents home across the street that began simultaneously, and how Lambeau Field being completed first always amazed him. Bob would gladly tell anyone who would listen how proud he was that all his children and their families would gather twice a year at his home. He will be deeply missed by his loving children: Thomas, Frostproof, FL, Richard (Lola), DeKalb, IL, Harry (Renee), Burnsville, MN, Sharon Cox (John Tice), DeKalb, IL, Margaret (Rich) Govea, Rochelle, IL, James (Debra) Sycamore, IL, Robert (Cheryl), Golden, CO, Denise (Tim) Berkshire, Sycamore, IL, Terry (Tom) Meeusen, Jenison, MI, Glenn (Jennifer) Lafayette, IN, Renee (Tom) Comeford, DeKalb, IL; daughter-in-law, Barbara Blahnik, Auburndale, FL; 27 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and one on the way; other survivors include sisters, Ruby (Ralph) Kottke, Rosemary Younger; sister-in-law, Marie Blahnik; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents and wife, Bob was preceded in death by his brothers: Ralph (Allyn, Mercedes), Leander Russell (Lucy), Roland, Randolph, and Royal; sister, Rosalie Blahnik; brothers and sister-in-law: John Younger, John (Phyllis) Cardin, Robert Cardin, along with one grandson, Michael Blahnik. Family and friends may call Wednesday, December 10, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of Mass at 11:30 a.m. at St. Phillip the Apostle Catholic Church, 312 Victoria St., Green Bay, with Fr. David Koch officiating. Entombment will be in Allouez Catholic Mausoleum. Cotter Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com.