Edwin F. Jablonski

Edwin (Ed) F. Jablonski, 89, of Wausau passed away peacefully on October 17, 2014 under the care of St. Joseph Hospital Palliative Care in Marshfield. He was born January 18, 1925 in Mosinee to the late Frank and Lillian (Sheptoski) Jablonski. Ed, after graduating from Mosinee High School, attended the former Wausau Business Institute, North Central Technical College and graduated from the University-Madison with a business degree in 1951. Ed married the late Dorothy Ann Sobkowiak on October 29, 1955 and the celebrated 50 years of life together in 2005. They enjoyed traveling together in the United States and around the world, including 5 trips to Europe and adventures in 47 different states. He worked at various companies until settling in the architectural aluminum window business at the former Marmet Corporation and Wausau Metals Corp. through 1971. Prior to 1971 he was instrumental in forming 3 small businesses. The main one was Mid Wisconsin Mfg. Co. which eventually sold and became Schuette Metals. In 1972 Ed and 4 others formed the Modu-Line Window Company which is in existence today as a part of the Oldcastle Building Envelope group of companies. Ed remained president of Modu-Line from 1972 until 1975 when the company was sold to a Chicago group. In 1983 he formed an aluminum skylight company, Major Mfg., and remained as president until 1994 when the company was sold. The company remains a viable business today in the Wausau Industrial Park. Besides being involved in manufacturing companies, Ed was involved in commercial real estate and land development. He had the foresight to develop 33 acres on the east side of Rib Mountain Drive starting with the building for a garage he leased out to GMC Truck Sales. He was responsible for getting companies such as Yach Mfg., McDermott Pump, North Central leasing, Ryder Truck, G & R Transport and others to establish their businesses in that development area. In addition he created a residential subdivision, DuBay Heights, and was in the process of developing 2 additional commercial sites: Jablonski Center 1 at the junction of Interstate 39 and Highway 34, and Jablonski Center 2 at the Interstate 39 and Highway DB (DuBay Drive) interchange. Ed was interested in sports, having participated in both softball and bowling. He was the manager of teams in both fields. In his younger years, he managed a softball team which won 22 games in a row, having been the pitcher in 13 of those wins. He sponsored and participated in a bowling team for over 25 years and was president of a local bowling league for 7 years. After having sold Modu-Line Windows, Ed became semi-retired. He and Dorothy were snow birds and loved to spend the winter months in the Florida sunshine of the Orlando area, but not until after the Green Bay Packers played their last game of the season. Ed was an avid Packer fan, having been fortunate enough to secure season tickets in the early 1960's. One of Ed's favorite non-business achievements was being nominated and elected to the Packer Fan Hall of Fame during the 2000-2001 football season. Ed rarely missed a Packer home game and attended both the Ice Bowl in 1967 and the 1996 NFC Championship Game that preceded the Super Bowl XXXI Victory. Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; two brothers, Chester and Stanley, and two sisters; Virginia Wrycha and Phyllis Vitale. He is survived by 4 sisters-in-law, Betty Stepanik of Schofield, Helen Dreyer of Weston, Marian Pickarts of Phoenix, AZ and Bernice Jablonski of Marshfield and 2 brothers-in-law; Raymond (Mary Helen) Wrycha of Weston and John Vitale of Detroit, MI. In addition, there are 14 loving nephews and nieces; Dr. Daniel (Joan) Jablonski of Cedarburg, Denise (Dr. David) Davis of Detroit, MI, Ray (Patricia) Wrycha of Rhinelander, James (Jacquelyn) Wrycha of Menasha, David (Gloria) Wrycha of Sobieski, Sandra (Timothy) Kipp of Shorewood, Mary Kay (Thomas) McDermott of Janesville, Teresa Jablonski-Polk of Phoenix, Ariz., Cheryl (Lawrence) Krainz of Marshfield, Dennis Jablonski, Thomas Dreyer, Anchorage, Alaska, Kathryn Hedtke, Buffalo, Minn., John (Lisa) Vitale, Milford, Mich. and Michael (Sharon Williams) Vitale, Brighton, Mich. There are also a number of grand nephews and grandnieces who fondly remember times with Uncle Ed and Aunt Dorothy. A special recognition to Barb Wohlfart, Ed's longtime friend, confidant and business partner, and to Tammy Sinkula, a special friend and caregiver who supported Ed in his later years along with her husband Bruce, and her children Weston, Kylee and Shayla who became Ed's adopted grandchildren. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:30 a.m. Friday October 24, 2014 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. William Grevatch will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com