LADDIE L. SLAVICEK

Whether he was tinkering around the house, helping others, or spending time with the family he loved, Ladd Slavicek sought perfection in everything he did. He was a hard working man with an exceptionally strong work ethic and lived with a faith all his own. Ladd had the integrity of a man his children looked up to, and they sought to make him proud. He considered himself blessed by his beloved grandchildren, and taught them many lessons. Although gone from love's embrace, the heart of Ladd lives on in those who knew and loved him.

Born on May 17, 1933 in St. Joseph, Michigan, Ladd was the son of Anton and Anna (Josek) Slavicek. With such a large family, hard times befell young Ladd and his family during the worst year of the Great Depression.
Nearly one in three people were unemployed, and the drought and following Dust Bowls in the Midwest didn't help matters. Amongst these trying times, Shirley Temple and King Kong lit up the movie screens in 1933, especially at the new drive-ins while the repeal of Prohibition brought welcome relief for many.

Along with his sisters, MaryAnn and Jenny, and brothers, Rudy, Tony, and Frederick, Ladd helped out on the family farm. Ladd was merely 14 when his father sadly died, so he and his siblings stepped in and did a majority of the farm work and taking care of their orchards. When his brothers left to serve during World War II, Ladd tended to the farm work in their absence. He continued on with his education and graduated from St.
Joseph High School with the Class of 1951, where he competed in football, basketball and track. Shortly thereafter, Ladd met a pretty girl named Jeannine Swank as he was picking his sister Jennie up from Murphy's Five and Dime.

From 1953 to 1955, Ladd served in the U.S. Marine Corp during the Korean War. After leaving Japan at the war's end, he had the opportunity to travel all over the world while in the reserves. He worked in private security for Nuclear Silos in Colorado and also on the Marshall Islands. After returning home to Michigan, he ran into Jeannine's parents at a bowling alley, and the two reunited. After dating for a time, he proposed to the woman who had come to take his breathe away. Ladd and Jeannine were married on March 26, 1966 at St. Joseph Trinity Lutheran Church before a congregation of family and friends.

To support his new bride, Ladd began working for several manufacturing companies in Michigan and Indiana.Ladd and Jeannine purchased a farm and moved to Baroda, Michigan. Ladd continued his tradition of hard work in order to fulfill his family's dreams.On rare days off he tended grapes which he sold to Welch's and local wineries. During this time in Ladd's life, he and Jeannine were blessed with two children, Ken and Lorinda. Ladd provided a good life for his family and taught his children responsibility in many ways, including the care of the large menagerie of animals - fulfilling his daughters dream of having horses, along with cows, pigs, chickens, pigeons, a huge array of cats and the family's beloved dog Lassie.It was a wonderful life.

In 1984, Ladd sold their farm and they moved to Bremen, Indiana. Having worked as a production manager at FlexSteel in New Paris, Indiana, Ladd went on to retire in 1998. After retiring, he and Jeannine spent the cold months of winter enjoying the Florida warmth in Naples each year. Their son lived in Columbia City, Indiana, and in 2003 they made that area their permanent home to be near him. Over the last ten years, Ladd was a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church and the American Legion Post #98 in Columbia City.

In his free time, Ladd liked " puttzing "around the house. He had many projects he worked on, and he loved spending time working in his many flower and vegetable gardens. When it came to entertainment, Ladd was fond of war movies and enjoyed reading about World War II. He was especially proud that he had finished reading the entire Bible this month. University of Michigan was his favorite college team due to the fact that his daughter and granddaughters graduated from there. Ladd was generouswith his time and skills and always went out of his way to assist others.

Ladd reveled becoming a grandfather. He was affectionately referred to as "PaPa" by Connor and Kennedy, while Chelsea and Paige called him, "Boppa." He loved telling them farfetched stories, like the story about how the mosquito's on the Marshall Islands were so big you could ride them!

Near and dear to those around him, Ladd was a well loved man who served and taught his family well. He leaves much to be remembered, and will be deeply missed.

Laddie L. "Ladd" Slavicek, age 80, died at 10:44 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at Parkview Whitley Hospital in Columbia City, Indiana after becoming suddenly ill at home. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jeannine J. Slavicek, Columbia City; daughter, Lorinda (Kevin) Anderson, Stevensville, MI; son, Ken (Michelle Martin) Slavicek, Columbia City; four grandchildren, Connor and Kennedy Slavicek; Chelsea and Paige Anderson; a sister, Jenny (Richard) Plawecki, Marco Island, FL. He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Rudy, Tony and Frederick Slavicek; and by his sister, MaryAnn Nernberg.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 10-Noon, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service will immediately follow at Noon on Saturday at the funeral home with Rev. Phil Rittner officiating. Memorial bequests in Ladd's memory may be given to Zion Lutheran Church, Columbia City.