Michael Andrew Slezak

Michael Andrew Slezak, beloved father, grandfather, uncle and friend, died in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5, 2024, at the age of 101. Michael was born Christmas Eve 1922, the sixth of eight children, at the family home in Wegee Creek, Ohio, to parents Sylvester (Silver) Slezak and Tereza Valentovic Slezak. Michael overcame the hardships of the Great Depression as a child, sharing what little he had with his siblings and classmates. He was the first in his family to graduate high school. He then graduated from Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy, where he learned skills that would serve him a lifetime. He survived military service in World War II, having sailed merchant vessels five times to Aruba and ten times to Europe. He put himself through college, graduating from Ohio University in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in geology. He loved his work and was a recognized expert in his field of solution mining of salt. He married a beautiful, young teacher in 1953-Wilma Mazoch. Together they raised their 5 mostly wonderful children and celebrated 47 years of marriage until Wilma's death in 2000. Michael often stated he lived the Perfect Life. Well, if not the Perfect Life, a life full of excitement and adventure. The numerous adventures and exploits of Michael are recounted in his book, Incidents, which Michael penned in the late 1980s. Incidents and the Slezak genealogy may be read online by going to: https://shorturl.at/xEj55. Michael was predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Syl and Steve;
and his sisters, Mary Krupa, Agnes Snyder, Julia Kipp, Theresa Manley, and Katherine Sabatina. His survivors include his daughter, Wilma (Willie) Yantis and husband Phil; sons, Michael Steven and wife, Dawn; Mark Edward and wife, Sheila; Matthew Thomas and wife, Karen; and Samuel Martin and wife, Cheryl. He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren (another one due in October), and 2 step great grandsons. A private graveside service at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery will
be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 22, 2024, followed by a Celebration of Life reception at the Charter Oaks Clubhouse, 3031 Oneida Street, San Antonio, Texas.