Edwin Slesak Sr.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Edwin M. Slesak Sr., 92, of Perryville died Thursday, June 16, 2005, at his home.

He was born May 25, 1913, in Milwaukee, Wis., son of Frank and Anna Ruske Slesak. He first married Wilma Koenig, who died in January 1992. He and Hilda Steffens Brueckner were married Aug. 15, 1992.

Slesak was a sales manager with Heinz Corp. He bred, raised and sold Himalayan cats.

He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Farrar, Mo., and American Legion Post 133 in Perryville. He was a former volunteer fireman in Danville, Ohio, and former president of St. John's Lutheran Church in Garfield, Ohio.

Slesak was a T/4 interrogator with the U.S. Army during World War II. He received the Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Edwin Slesak Jr. of St. Clair Shores, Mich., Joel Slesak of Rochester, N.Y., Timothy Slesak of Houston, Texas; three stepdaughters, Janet Koenig of Farrar, Pat Petzoldt of Frohna, Mo., Elizabeth Crouch of Moodys, Okla.; two stepsons, Jerry Brueckner of Cape Girardeau, Stanley Brueckner of Farrar; a half sister, Wilma Emmerich of Milwaukee; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; 14 stepgrandchildren; and 10 great-stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister and two half brothers.

Friends may call at Young and Sons Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, and Monday from 6:30 to 8 a.m.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Salem Lutheran Church in Farrar, with the Rev. Wayne Palmer officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery, with graveside rites by American Legion Post 133.