Obit: Sliwinski, Walter J. (1923? - 2011)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt

E-mail: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Korinek, Kyanko, Peck, Rockenbauer, Schwan, Sliwinski, Van Tuinen

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, August 25, 2011, online edition

Sliwinski, Walter J. (1923? - August 15, 2011)

Walter J. Sliwinski, age 88, died on Monday, Aug. 15, 2011.

Walter was born in Neffs, Ohio. In his later teen years, he became a serious baseball player, playing for the Stewartsville Merchants, United Mine Workers and Wheeling Intelligencer League, during which time he had been recruited by the St. Louis Browns, a team that was later moved and became the Baltimore Orioles. Walter earned the nickname "Cannonball" for his blazing fastball when pitching and was also an excellent hitter. Roger Berrick from St. Clairsville, Ohio, remembers Walter as a legend of baseball in the area. He told of a time when the Merchants were losing badly to Shadyside, a city about 20 times larger. After the coach asked "Where's Cannonball?," and was told he was "up on the hill making hay," someone was sent to get him. Walter brushed off the hay and proceeded to strike out the remaining batters, allowing Stewartsville to win the game. There are many similar stories of his baseball achievements. His baseball career was interrupted when Walter volunteered and was inducted into the United States Navy during World War II, where he served as a signalman in the Pacific.


He married Joyce Korinek on September 2, 1950. He was a dairy farmer for most of his working life, an avid gardener, and loved to read.

Walter moved his family to the Peter Janda dairy farm near Medford in 1973 where he excelled in growing crops. He also had time to make an outstanding name for himself in the surrounding bowling communities.

He retired to Robertsdale, Ala., in 1997. He is survived by his wife, Joyce M. Sliwinski of Robertsdale; six daughters, Amelia Sliwinski of Robertsdale, Stasia Sliwinski of Edgar, Carol (Ray) Van Tuinen of Billings, Mont., Samantha (Helmut) Sliwinski Rockenbauer of Robertsdale, Julianne Sliwinski of Cleveland, Ohio, and Tanya Sliwinski of Merrill; one son, Steven (Grace) Sliwinski of Plano, Texas; a brother, John of Brookfield, Ohio; three sisters, Blanche Kyanko of McDonald, Ohio, Stella Schwan of Grand Rapids, Ohio, and Stephanie Peck of Cleveland, Ohio; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Anne, Josephine and Mary.


Funeral services were held on Friday, Aug. 19 at Mack Funeral Home in Robertsdale, with burial in Silverhill Cemetery. Condolences may still be sent to the funeral home. He touched the lives of many, especially with his sense of humor, and will be truly missed.

Note: Birth information was not published with obituary.

 

 


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