John Hernikl, age 95, of the town of West Bend, passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at the Cedar Lake Health Care Center in the town of West Bend.
He was born on August 25, 1910 to the late Ignac and Katie (nee Agocs) Hernikl in Hant, Hungary. In 1912 his parents immigrated to the United States leaving John with relatives. At the age of 13 he began working in a coal mine. When he was 15 he apprenticed in upholstery and furniture design achieving the title of master upholsterer in 1928. During World War II he served in the Hungarian Army as a Communications Officer and translator of three languages. Due to involvement in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, John and his family were forced to escape from communist Hungary arriving in the United States on December 25, 1956. In January of 1957 he was reunited with his mother and met his brothers and sisters for the first time. Upon settling in West Bend, John and his wife began John's Decorators which is still in operation today. John continued helping his son, Alex, at the family business until 2003. In 1962 John became an American Citizen.
For many years he was an active member of Holy Angels Parish. He spent many enjoyable hours with the West Bend Chess Club. Until the age of 91 he was able to pursue one of his favorite activities which was hunting.
On November 3, 1935 he was united in marriage to Maria Varga. John is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Maria; his son, Alex Hernikl (Mary Sparks) of West Bend; a sister, Catherine (Walter) Dunst of Kingman, AZ; a brother, Andrew (Bernice) Hernikl of Tomahawk; a special friend of the family, Peter (Rose) Nemeth of Denver, CO; and many other relatives and friends in Hungary and the United States.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Theresa Weston; and two brothers, Joseph (Lillian) Hernickle, and Emil (Mildred) Hernikl.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2006 at 11:30 am at Holy Angels Catholic Church in West Bend. Father Jerry Brittain will be the celebrant. Visitation will be at the church only on Saturday from 9:30 am until the time of service. Burial of the cremated remains will take place in St. Mary's Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials to Holy Angels School Trust Fund or to The American Red Cross of West Bend would be appreciated by the family.