Carl B. Kurek, 96, former longtime resident of Mansfield, passed away Friday morning, Feb. 24, 2017, at Smithville Western Commons in Wooster, Ohio.
He was born on Oct. 30, 1920, in Mansfield, Ohio, to the late George and Mary Veronica (Cerneski) Kurek.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving during World War II. During his service he received many commendations and fought in numerous, gut-wrenching battles.
He came to Mansfield after the war and married Laurane Desterhaft, a marriage that would last 56 years until her passing.
Carl worked in Quality Control at Westinghouse Corp., retiring in 1982 after 41 years of service. Not content in retirement, Carl was a school bus driver for Madison schools for a number of years. He also worked at and was a member of the Mansfield Liederkranz. He was a member of Resurrection Parish for many years.
Carl is survived by his wife, Jeanette Swigart Kurek; two children, Larry T. (Carol) Kurek and Carl L. (Linda) Kurek; five grandchildren, Todd (Brenda) Kurek, Shannon (Jennifer) Kurek, Lisa (Trent) Cook, Kari (Matt) Fleming and Joel (Sharmin) Kurek; eight great-grandchildren, Henry, Madeline and Ezra Kurek, Sarah Cook (Tanner Neel), Tyler Cook (Nicole Smith), Daniel Erb, Hayley Fleming and Afton Kurek; and a sister.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Laurane Kurek; daughter, Charlene Gordon; and his parents.
The family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. Burial in Mansfield Memorial Park will be at a later date.
Words of comfort may be expressed at www.wappner.com.
