Surnames: Horban, Figura, Czernecky, Ogurek, Winch, Tomczak, Davis, Smith, Greenawalt, Lockhart, Pawelko, Manickam, Golden

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) April 15, 2009

Horban, Walter C. (31 December 1917 - 8 April 2009) With Flag

Walter C. Horban, 91, of Marshfield, formerly of Pittsville, died on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at his home under the care of Ministry Home Hospice.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Peter Manickam. Suzanne Golden was the organist along with Sacred Heart Choir. Burial was in Holy Family Cemetery in Stanley. Military rites were conducted at the cemetery by the VFW Post #2711 of Stanley.

Visitations were from 4 - 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2009 at Rembs Funeral Home and again on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of the services.

Walter was born on December 31, 1917 in Thorp to Harasin and Celia (Figura) Horban. He attended Yaeger School in Thorp. After his education, Walter moved to Chicago and married Lillian P. Czernecky at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thorp on May 4, 1940. He joined the United States Navy during World War II serving from February 9, 1944 until his honorable discharge on January 14, 1946. He was a motor machinist mate second class.

He returned to Chicago after his military duty and opened an auto body repair shop and lived there until 1970 when they moved to Marshfield.

He then married Mona C. Ogurek on June 7, 1967 in Chicago, and she died in December of 2005.

Walter purchased and operated Hoban’s Happy Acres in Klondike Corners for five years. He then moved to Pittsville and established Horban Auto Body retiring in 2003 and returning to Marshfield.

While in Chicago, Walter belonged to the Wisconsin Polka Club of Chicago of which he was president, member of the Navy Golden Gloves for six years, member of the Oklahoma Ranch Boys Band from 1939 until entering the service, American Legion Post 153 of Pittsville and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Marshfield.

Walter is survived by three children: Ron (Jane) Ogurek of Nekoosa, Dean (Christy) Ogurek of Pittsville, and Sandy (Mike) Winch of Marshfield; eight grandchildren: Donald (Natalie) Tomczak, Jamie Horban, Nikki (Kelly) Davis, Ryan, Marissa and Cali Ogurek, and Nikki and Ashley Winch; one great-grandson, Brandon Smith-Tomczak. He is further survived by two brothers: Pete (Rose) Horban of Pittsville and Mike (Heather) Horban of Grants Pass, Oregon; and one sister, Mary Pawelko of Marshfield.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; his wives; son, Walter Jr.; daughter, Charlene Tomczak, three brothers: Joe, Sam and John Horban; two sisters: Catherine Greenawalt and Sophie Lockhart and two siblings in infancy.

Those who knew Walter knew his strong commitment to family and his love of fishing and gardening. He always gave his heart or help to any member of his family who needed it.

A memorial will be designated at a latter date.

Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com