John J Ptacek

John J. Ptacek, 87, of David City died Saturday, April 25 at the Butler County Heatlh Care Center in David City.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: Memorials towards Masses or Guardian Angel Fund.

John J. Ptacek was born on July 3, 1927 on the farm near Bruno to John A. and Tonie(Pratt)Ptacek. He attended local grade schools and graduated from David City High School in 1945. He served in the US Army from 1951-1953, and served as a corporal at Arlington Hall in Virginia. He married Helen Belovic on June 12, 1951 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Abie. Five children were born to this union.

John was a farmer for most of his life. He later worked in maintenance at the Butler County Hospital. He also volunteered in the Aquinas cafeteria helping to serve lunch and enjoyed working with the school kids. He was a County supervisor for many years and also was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. He was a member of Kregger Legion Post 125 of David City. He enjoyed baseball, a good joke and gardening. John also formed his own band, The Johnny Byrd Orchestra, playing many of the surrounding area dances in the late 1940's. He sang with the Knights of Columbus Choir for many years and also with the church choir in Bruno and David City.

John is survived by his wife: Helen; Sons: Steven(Diane), Mark(Kelly) and Patrick(Kelly) all of Omaha and daughter: Ann(Shane)Heermann of David City; 8 Grandsons: John, Matthew, Tyler, Gregory, Travis, Trenton, Ethan Heerman and Daniel Ptacek and 4 Granddaughters: Sarah Patras, Taylor L'Heureux, Toni Ptacek and Emily Heermann; 6 Great-grandchildren: Sydney and Wyatt Patras, Penelope, Rayne, Alexis and Crispin Ptacek, and three more arriving soon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son: Paul in 1999 and two brothers: Rudy and Vlad Ptacek.