Leo Bialek, 102-Year-Old Veteran, Dies From Coronavirus
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ORLAND PARK, IL — World War II veteran and Orland Park resident Leo Bialek died from COVID-19 on Nov. 27, according to family. He was 102 years old.
Bialek was drafted at the age of 28. He was born in 1918 and grew up in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago. Bialek was married to his late wife Elizabeth Welsh for forty-nine years.
Early in his marriage, he was drafted into the Army during World War II. Bialek was a private in the second division under General George S. Patton. He was in a tank division that was known as "Hell on Wheels," and fought in Normandy, France to Germany.
According to a GoFundMe created in his memory, Bialek was an avid dancer at the Willowbrook ballroom and the Glendora. He and his wife used to go dancing every Sunday.
Bialek was the husband of the late Elizabeth R. (nee Walsh) Bialek. Loving father of the late Patricia Kyle and the late William Bialek. Cherished grandfather of Mary Beth (Thomas) Needham-Kyle, Thomas (Elaine) Kyle, Amanda (John) Vrbovski, and Becky (Brett) Viant. Adoring great-grandfather of Emily, Bridgette, Monique, Morgan, McKenna and Jory. Predeceased by many loving brothers and sisters. Fond uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Due to COVID-19, masks are required and no loitering is preferred. Visitation Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 3 to 7 p.m. Funeral Service is Thursday, Dec. 3, at 10:30 a.m. at the Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home, 9000 W. 151st Street in Orland Park.
Bialek will be buried at the Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 W. 111th St. in Alsip. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Memorial Fund for Leo Bialek are appreciated. Please leave a memory for the family on Leo’s Tribute Wall; your stories will bring comfort to his family.www.sheehyfh.com 708-857-7878.
This obituary comes from the Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home.
This article originally appeared on the Orland Park Patch
