Gene Wawrzyniak, 67, of Silver Lake

Gene Edward Wawrzyniak, age 67, of Silver Lake passed away Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Cedar Crest.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, March 17, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Silver Lake.  Father Paul Schumacher will be the Celebrant.
A visitation will be held Thursday, March 16 from 4-8 p.m. at the Maresh Funeral Home in Silver Lake.  A Prayer Service will be held at 7:30 p.m.  Further visitation will be held Friday morning, March 17 from 9-10 a.m.  at the funeral home.
Interment with military rites will follow at Holy Family Cemetery.
Casket bearers will be JoDale Miska, Dale Kosek, Pete Swartzer, Frank Nowak, Lee Monahan and Larry Prochaska.
Gene Edward Wawrzyniak was born December 8, 1949, in Hutchinson, the son of Edward and Sophie (Millerbernd) Wawrzyniak.
Mr. Wawrzyniak graduated from Silver Lake High School in 1967.
He honorably served his Country in the United States Army.  Gene was a Vietnam Veteran.
On April 18, 1998, Gene was united in marriage to Burnett M. Chmielewski.
Mr. Wawrzyniak worked as a mechanic for local garages in Silver Lake. He also owned and operated Gene’s Towing. His towing business was his life! Gene enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s athletic events, making firewood with his sons and his morning coffee “clutch.”
Mr. Wawrzyniak was a fireman for over forty years.  He was Assistant Fire Chief for Silver Lake from 1986-1987 and he was the Fire Chief from 1988-2011.  He was also a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Silver Lake.
Mr. Wawrzyniak is survived by his loving wife: Burnett M. Wawrzyniak; children: Kyle (JoAnna) Wawrzyniak, Kelli (Jeff) Monahan, Kendra (Robby) Motzko and Karl Wawrzyniak (Megan Kleve), Gordon (DeAnn) Chmielewski, Cory  Chmielewski, Brenda Chmielewski (Bob Wraspir), Jeff Chmielewski; grandchildren: Justin (Brittney) Wawrzyniak, Brianna and Ashley; Maddie, McKenna, Miah and Mylea; Evan and Owen; Jack, Mya and Abby, Tanner, Morgan and Christian; Keijanna and Karsen; great grandchildren: Jeremiah, Macie, Dane, Bo and Luke; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents Edward, Sophie and Bernice, great aunt and uncle, Ernest and Delphine Mallak and a granddaughter, Mileka Sae Hall.
The Maresh Funeral Home in Silver Lake is serving the family.  Online condolences may be made to www.mareshfuneralhome.com [1].