SMOLIK, Emil C. of Elkhorn, NE, transferred from his earthly life to his heavenly home on July 1, 2009, at his home at the age of 94. He was born on June 24, 1915, to Lou J. and Emma Cernik Smolik. He and his wife Lillian Vincent Smolik were married on June 12, 1939 and celebrated their 70th anniversary. Lillian of their home survives him. Also surviving are their children: son, Dr. Vincent Smolik and wife Virgene of Broken Arrow, OK; daughter, Angeline Angie Smolik Marking of Elkhorn, NE; 7 grandchildren: Kevin and wife Donna, Kelly Marking, Connie Marking, Stacy Smolik Pearson, Kimberly Smolik Prescott and husband Brandon, Chad Smolik and wife Denise, Shawn Smolik; 15 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren. Other survivers include his brother, Emanuel Smolik and wife Clare, and sister, Edna Smolik Ptacik. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Ellen Smolik Bonne. Soon after their marriage they moved from the Ord area to Omaha, where Emil pursued a career as a welder. After the onset of WWII they returned to the Ord area and farming. Emil enjoyed flying, and in 1947 purchased an Aeronca Chief (one of his many aircraft). During the 1949 blizzard his plane was equipped with skis, allowing him to fly rescue missions for the Red Cross and to make mail drops. His airplane also permitted him quick access to maintain his harvesting crews as they worked the wheat harvest from Oklahoma to South Dakota. In 1987 he was inducted into the International Forest of Friendship in Atchison, KS, to commemorate his contribution to the field of aviation. His love of flying was passed down to his family, producing four more pilots. In 1951 he and his family moved to Schuyler, NE, where they established Schuyler Propane, the first propane/service plant in the area. That plant expanded into Propane Supply based in Columbus, NE, plus 7 other plants throughout Nebraska. In the late 1960s the company was purchased by Northern Propane, which allowed him and Lillian to return to the Omaha area. They settled south of Elkhorn near West Dodge Road in the Crest Mobile Home Park they had purchased. At that same location they established and built Camper City USA and West Dodge Storage. His final retirement came in 1999 at the age of 84. Emil was always a hard worker who enjoyed his work; he was an inventor and could fix anything. He lived an interesting life and could spend hour after hour sharing his successes and failures with family and friends. Emil and Lillian enjoyed touring and sight-seeing in America, Mexico and Canada in their motor home, as well as spending time visiting friends and family. To his family he will be remembered as a man of faith, a man who believed in God and prayer. No one can ever take his place in our lives, so we shall forever hold fast to our wonderful and priceless memories. SERVICES Tuesday, 2pm, West Center Chapel. GRAVESIDE SERVICE Wednesday, 11am, Evergreen Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Monday, 6pm-8pm at the West Center Chapel.
HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900
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