Ben F. Welisek

Ben F. Welisek, age 94, lifelong resident of Fox River Grove, passed away October 12, 2017 at Good Shepherd Hospital.Ben was born September 6, 1923, the son of Ben F. and Anne M. Welisek. His family were among the earliest settlers in Fox River Grove and he was the 4th generation to reside on the original Welisek Farm property. He married Elizabeth "Betty" Long February 26, 1949 at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Cary. He is survived by his children, Kathleen (Michael) Hartke, William (Chris) Welisek and James Welisek, his grandchildren, Christopher (Rachel) Hartke, Jonathan (Liz) Hartke, Daniel (Sara) Hartke, Benjamin Hartke, Ryan (Kassidy) Welisek and Steven Welisek and 13 great grandchildren as well as his sister Terry (Chuck) James and brother-in-law William (Barbara) Long. Betty preceded him in deathBen became a licensed amateur radio operator in1938 (call sign W9DQX) and along with Betty (W9NVS) ran phone patches for servicemen overseas to talk with their families. He was a graduate of Crystal Lake High School and a World War II Veteran of the United States Navy 1942-1946. Ben was owner of Grove Electric Company, Inc. and a member of IBEW Local 117. He was a lifelong member of SS. Peter and Paul Church, a lifetime member of The American Legion and Friends of the Fox River Grove Memorial Library. Ben and Betty enjoyed swimming at the Sage YMCA for over 40 years and joined the Algonquin Township S.W.A.T. Team (Striders, Walkers and Talkers) where they made many good friends over the years. Ben enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing in Land O' Lakes, WI.. He loved to spend time with his family, always taking an interest in their activities.. He had a wonderful sense of humor and could fix anything. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.There will be a visitation for Ben on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 beginning at 2:00 PM and concluding with military honors at 4:00 PM at the Kahle-Moore Funeral Home, 403 Silver Lake Rd., Cary.In lieu of flowers memorials would be appreciated to the Friends of the Fox River Grove Memorial Library or the Fox River Grove Firefighters Ass. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ben F. Welisek please visit our Sympathy Store.

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