James John (Jake) Maleski

Herrin- James John Jake Maleski, 94, of Herrin, died at 3:15 AM, Wednesday, October 29, 2003 at Fair Acres Nursing Home in DuQuoin. James was born on June 18, 1909 in St. Louis, MO to John & Antonia (Wisnewski) Maleski. He married Geraldine Gerry Garavalia-Lynn on September 5, 1959 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Royalton. Jake was a WWII Navy Veteran, having served his country aboard the US Naval Hospital, Farragut, Idaho. He formerly worked as a pipe fitter and then as a coal miner at the Jolianna Mine in Elkville and Ziegler Coal. At the same time; Mr. Maleski also performed custodial duties for the Herrin High School, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, First Presbyterian Church of Herrin, the Herrin City Library, and the former First Federal Savings & Loan in Herrin. Mr. Maleski was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church; the Herrin Knights of Columbus, and the Polish National Alliance #1745 in Chicago. In his spare time, Jake enjoyed fishing and hunting with his family in Florida or the former Blue Wing Lake. He was an excellent cook and his family looked forward to his personal chop suey recipe. He liked to spend time in his garden and was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. SURVIVORS: Wife- Gerry Maleski- Herrin Son & dtr in law- Gary Dale & Kathy Lynn- Houston, TX Son & dtr in law- Randy & Judy Lynn- Herrin Son & dtr in law- Dick & Vickie Lynn- Omaha, NE Son & dtr in law- Rick & Kathy Lynn- Herrin Son & fiance- Jon Maleski & Judith Lavender- Herrin Son & dtr in law- Jim A. & Alisa Maleski- Herrin Seventeen Grandchildren: Katie Patterson & husband David- Dallas, TX Jason Lynn & wife Amanda- Houston, TX Tommy Lynn & wife Tiffany- Dallas, TX Holly Lynn- Herrin Tara Brandon & husband Doug- Herrin Jon Brandon Maleski- Herrin Ryan Lynn & wife Brandi- Herrin Rajeana Maleski- Herrin Amy Starkweather & husband Jeremy- OFallon, IL Kimber Lentz & husband Joe- Herrin Sara Lynn- St. Louis, MO Angela Maleski- Herrin Rachel Lynn- St. Louis, MO Wendy Scheifele & husband Andrew Karis Beasley & husband Cameron Tod Maxwell Dustin Fleming- Herrin Six Great Grandchildren: Plus one on the way Ben & Kristin Patterson- Dallas, TX Jena & Matthew Brandon- Herrin Gavin Starkweather- OFallon Lilly Scheifele Brothers- Stanley & Wally Maleski- Royalton Sister- Maime Kasperski- St. Louis, MO Many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; including special niece- Denise Baker- Royalton Several cousins Close friend- Loretta Lukuc- Herrin He was preceded in death by his parents, one granddaughter; Kristin Lynn, and eight brothers & sisters. The funeral mass will be at 1:00 PM, Saturday, November 1, 2003 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin. Monsignor Ken Schaefer will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery in Royalton. The Herrin VFW & American Legion Posts will perform military rites at the graveside. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until time of procession to the church at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin. Memorial donations are suggested to the OLMC/ St, Marys Education foundation and will be accepted at the funeral home. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register; please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.