May 19, 1955 - February 7, 2018

Thomas John Jilek Age 62, of Birchwood, WI died Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, WI. He was born on May 19, 1955 in Rice Lake to Charley and Louise (Klossner) Jilek. Tom graduated from the Birchwood High School in 1974, he then entered the United States Army and served for 4 years and was Honorably Discharged. He then attended UW River Falls and received a Bachelors Degree in Art. Tom worked for over 30 years for the American Excelsior in Rice Lake as a knife grinder and was a substitute teacher for a few years. He loved hunting, fishing, being on the 4-wheeler with his dog, did a lot of drawing, painting signs and painting saw blades and hanging out with his friends trap shooting. He is survived by his mother, Louise Jilek of Birchwood; 7 brothers, David and Mary Jilek of Indian Mounds, Tennessee, Raymond and Diane Jilek of Birchwood, Christopher Jilek of Birchwood, Brian Jilek of Birchwood, Bruce Jilek (Lisa Jewell) of Birchwood, Timothy and Karen Jilek of Minooka, WI and Mark and Shelley Jilek Birchwood; 2 sisters, Linda and Ken Wood of Weyerhaeuser and Stephanie Jilek of Fairbanks, Alaska; many nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Charley Jilek. A Prayer Service will be held at 7PM Monday, February 12, 2018 at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, with Father Ed Anderson officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7PM Monday at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to your local Humane Society.

Last Update: Dec 16, 2018 5:44 pm CST