Otto Jerry Banchak

RAPID RIVER, Mich. – Otto Jerry Banchak, 93, of Rapid River, Mich., died Friday May 13, 2011, at Christian Park Village in Escanaba, Mich.
He was born March 23, 1918, in Algonquin, to Paul and Katryn (Maitan) Banchak. He attended grade school in Algonquin and graduated from Dundee High School in 1936, and was a star football player.
He joined the U.S. Navy on Jan. 9, 1942, serving as an aviation machinist, stationed at U.S. bases in Illinois, Michigan and Florida. He then served on the USS Rendova in Europe, Africa and the Philippines. He was proud of his "five years, 10 months and 11 days" of military service.
He married Dorothy Girard Hyland on May 14, 1965, in Algonquin. He was a member of the Bricklayers Local 21 Union of Illinois for more than 50 years. He and his wife, Dorothy, moved from Illinois to Rapid River in 1991. They enjoyed their retirement years fishing and meeting new friends. He was a proud member of the American Legion, and on his 90th birthday, he received an "over 60 year membership" accommodation from the American Legion in Rapid River.
He especially will be remembered for his love of nature. He was a serious fisherman, an avid gardener, a football enthusiast and most of all, a loving grandfather.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Banchak of Rapid River, Mich.; his children, Paula Banchak of Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada; Kristine (David) Beach of Harvard; Kevin (Karen) Hyland of Penn Valley, Calif.; Carolyn Hyland of Mishawaka, Ind.; and Patti Hyland of Berkeley, Calif.; his grandchildren, Kelly Banchak, Todd Hyland, Heather (Mike) Maisen, Piper Hyland, Joseph L. (Staci) Rybacek, Cynthia Beach, Ryan Hyland, Jonathan Hyland and Nicholas Hyland; and two nephews, Paul (Joyce) Banchak of Spring Grove, and Alvin (Patricia) Banchak of Prairie du Chien, Wis.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Katryn and Paul Banchak; his stepfather, Frank Kovar; his brother, Paul Banchak; his sons, Richard C. Hyland and Timothy G. Hyland; and his grandson, Derrick Banchak.
His family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, at Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military rites will be conducted at 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home by the Rapid River American Legion Post No. 301. The funeral will follow military rites at the funeral home. The Rev. Emmett Norden will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Rapid River American Legion. Envelopes will be available at the Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County.
Online condolences may be made at www.skradski-boycefuneralhomes.com.