Obit: Babka, John J. (1875 - 1964)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Babka, Klement, Kumbera, Krauter, Kamke, Delvaux, Kugher, Smoot, Heiser, Farrell, DeMuth, Klahnik, Houlton, Brabinder, Hussey, Dersch, Kelly

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) August 6, 1964

Babka, John J. (11 November 1875 - 29 July 1964)

Funeral services were conducted Saturday from St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville for John J. Babka, 88, of Neillsville, who died here July 29.  The Rev. Fr. Bernard T. Kelly officiated.  Burial was made in the parish cemetery.

Mr. Babka was born November 11, 1875, in Oconto County.  His parents were the late Wolfgang and Anna (Klement) Babka.  He received his education there and as a young man worked in lumber camps.  On July 13, 1909, he was married to the former Mary Kumbera in Oconto Falls.  Mr. and Mrs. Babka celebrated their 55^th wedding anniversary July 13.  Following their marriage they farmed until retirement in 1954.  They moved to Neillsville to be with their son, Larry.  Mr. Babka was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

He is survived by his wife; and four children, William of Green Bay, Mrs. Maureen Krauter of Zion, Ill., Miss Violet Babka of West Allis, and Lawrence (Larry) of Black River Falls.  Other survivors include 13 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. Dora Kamke of Oconto Falls.

A general rosary service was said Friday evening at the Georgas Funeral Home, which had charge of funeral arrangements.

Pallbearers were: Edward J. Kumbera, Jerry J. Delvaux, Fred Kamke, Leonard J. Kumbera, Anthony J. Klahnik and Albert L. Heiser, Jr.  Hymns were sung by the children’s choir of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, accompanied at the organ by Mrs. Glenn Short.

People from out of town attending the service were: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Babka of Black River Falls; Mr. and Mrs. William Babka, Mr. and Mrs. Rolland Babka and Charles Delvaux, of Green Bay; Mrs. Maureen Krauter, Ruth and Rose Mary Krauter of Zion, Ill.; Miss Violet Babka, Mrs. Frieda Kumbera, Leonard J. Kumbera, Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Kumbera, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Kumbera and son, Rose Kumbera and family, and Mrs. Ellen Kugher, all of Milwaukee; Mrs. Dora Kamke and Fred Kamke of Oconto Falls; Alice F. Olson, Joyce Smoot, Barbara Krauter, Mr. and Mrs. Al Heiser, Jr., all of Waukegan, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Delvaux of Jackson; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Krauter of Racine; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kumbera, Jr., and Miss Betty Farrell of West Allis; Mr. and Mrs. George DeMuth and Roger of Merrill; Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Klahnik of Algoma; Jerry Houlton of Black River Falls; Clifford Brabinder of Peshtigo; Mr. and Mrs. George Brabinder of Appleton; Clarence Hussey, Dr. Clara Hussey and Betty Dersch, all of Brookfield.