Frederick Lloyd Slavicek

Frederick Lloyd Slavicek was born January 12, 1929 in St. Joseph to Anton and Anna (Josek) Slavicek, both of whom preceded him in death. He passed away Saturday, March 15, 2008, at Royalton Manor in St. Joseph, at the age of 79. Fred was a 1947 graduate of St. Joseph High School and served 2 years in the Navy. He received his discharge 2 months after the start of the Korean War in order to help his mother on the farm. On May 1, 1954, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, he was united in marriage to the former Margaret Runge, who survives him. Fred retired from LECO Corporation in 1991, after 40 years of employment. He enjoyed farming, gardening, and puttering around in the shed. His hobbies were reading, watching John Wayne movies, collecting stamps, working on family genealogy, and taking lots of pictures. He was active for many years with Troop 624, BSA, of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was a greeter at the church, and had served on the Parish Council for one year. Fred is survived by his wife of nearly 54 years, Maggie, and by their 5 children; three sons, David (Deborah) Slavicek of Benton Harbor, Steven (Mary) Slavicek of Stevensville, and Richard (Debra) Slavicek of St. Joseph; two daughters, Ann (John) Correll of Stevensville and Nancy (Robert) Pringle, of Hanover, MI. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, Laura Slavicek (Casey) Alford, Matthew (Nina) Slavicek, Mark Slavicek, Sarah Slavicek (Adam) Tate, Emily, Elizabeth, and Eric Slavicek, Holly Slavicek (Timothy) Evans, Michelle Correll, Jennifer Correll (Robert) Freridge, and Jacob and Isaac Pringle; and great-granddaughter, Alexis Slavicek. Fred is also survived by a brother, Ladd (Jeannine) Slavicek of Columbia City, IN; and by his sister, Jennie (Richard) Plawecki of Marco Island, FL. In addition to his parents, Fred was preceded in death by his brother, Tony Slavicek; sister, Mary Ann Nernberg; half-brother, Rudy Bohm; half-sisters, Mollye Hasse, Rose Myers, Georgia Hellwig, Eleanora Mathews, and Emma (Jean) Knuppel. Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., with a Prayer Service at 7:30 P.M., Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, March 19, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St. in St. Joseph, with Msgr. Michael A. Osborn officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery with military rites conducted. Memorial donation may be made to Lake Michigan Catholic School. Friends wishing to send a condolences may do so at the guest book at www.starks-menchinger.com