Obituary of John Salajka

Winter Haven - John Salajka passed away Thurs., 4/17/2014 of natural causes. He was born in Kuty, Czechoslovakia on 4/26/1921. He came to the United States at the age of 15 and met Mary Balis (his wife of 62 years). He was drafted into the army and served in Europe during WWII. After returning home, he worked several jobs before he and Mary settled into the restaurant business in NYC and Long Island. After retiring, in 1975, he and Mary moved to Winter Haven, where he spent countless hours in this garden and was an active member of VFW, Post 8. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary, brother Joe and sister Ann. He is survived by his sons, John Salajka (Inverness, IL), Bob Salajka (Carol) Lake Wales and daughter Joan Miller (Ed) Winter Haven. He has eleven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren with number fifteen due in May, in addition to his extended family. Visitation is Friday 4/25 from 6-8pm at Oakridge Funeral Home, Winter Haven. Funeral mass, Saturday 4/26 10:00am at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Winter Haven. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made, in his memory to: Good Shepard Hospice 320 West Main Street Lakeland, FL 33815