IN MEMORIAM

EXPANDED EULOGIES

“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.

Jerome Hajek

Services for Jerome Ernest Hajek, 73, who passed away surrounded by his family Aug. 28, 2024, at his home in Marion, were 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at Marion Presbyterian Church.

Visitation was 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, at the church. Burial was in Marion Cemetery.

Jerome, who gallantly battled cancer, was born Dec. 8, 1950, in Marion, the sixth child of Albert and Mildred (Bina) Hajek.

He was raised on the family’s farm near Lost Springs, attended kindergarten through eighth grade at Lost Springs Elementary, and graduated from Centre High School with the class of 1969.

After graduation, he served his country in the U.S. Air Force National Guard until his honorable discharge in August, 1975.

He was united in marriage to Donna Kay Ewert on Sept. 25, 1971, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pilsen. They were blessed with two loving daughters, Kelli and Kimberly.

Before serving his country, Jerome worked for Slusser Drilling. After his service, he worked for a while at Hesston Corporation. He and his brother, Gary, then operated Tampa Lumber Yard, owned by him and all his brothers, until the late 1970s.

After they sold the lumberyard, he worked for Oursler Brothers for a short time. He then would spend the next 33 years at Johns Manville Corp., where he worked as a servicer. He retired in 2014.

His loving family surviving him includes his wife, Donna of Marion; his daughters, Kelli (and husband Dennis) Kerschen of Wichita and Kimberly Helmer of Marion; and his five grandchildren, Drew Helmer of Thornton, Colorado; Hunter Helmer of Overland Park; William Kerschen of Fort Liberty, North Carolina; Matthew Kerschen of Wichita, and Ella Kerschen of Wichita.

Also surviving are his sister, Irene (and husband Eugene) Waylan of Miami, Oklahoma; his brothers, Paul, Ronnie (and wife Leona), and Gary (and wife Vickie), all of Lost Springs; and his loving brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Francis; his sister-in-law, RaeLene Hajek; and his brothers-in-law, Wayne Ewert and Max Ewert.

Memorial funds have been established with Marion Presbyterian Church and St. Luke Hospital.

Online condolences may be left at www.jostfuneralhome.com.