WOJCIK, Edwin Stanislaus

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Sunday, December 22, 2013 Edwin Stanislaus Wojcik, 83, passed away Dec. 18, 2013, in Prescott, Ariz., with his family by his side. He was born in Chicago, Ill., Oct. 29, 1930, to John Anthony and Helen (Rifgon) Wojcik. Family and friends knew Edwin by "Corky" and "Ed." As a Chicago high school student, Edwin was hired at Sky Chefs at the Chicago Midway airport on March 30, 1948, as a part-time dishwasher and porter. It was here that he met, fell in love with and married Beverly Jean Schuch. Edwin was given and took the opportunity to move around the country with Sky Chefs living in Dallas, Texas, Phoenix, Ariz., Los Angeles, Calif. and El Paso, Texas. It was during his time in Phoenix that he and Beverly fell in love with Arizona and decided to return when he retired. Edwin and Beverly lived for some time in Payson, Ariz., before settling in Prescott. Edwin had many hobbies that included flying radio-controlled airplanes, hunting, fishing, and boating. He and Beverly are members of the Phoenix Power Squadron. Lake Powell will always be remembered as his favorite place to spend time on the water. The lake's beauty and magical powers drew him there often, and he shared many specials times at Lake Powell with Beverly and his family, including his niece, nephew and their families. Family was a very important part of Edwin's life. He treasured time with Beverly, his daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. It was imperative to Edwin that his daughters knew all the relatives in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, so he and his family traveled there often. His passion for family also included collecting family pictures and documenting his family tree. Being a Marine was an integral part of who Edwin was. He completed eight honorable years in the Marine Corps, and spent 1951 fighting the good fight in Korea. For him, it was a privilege to serve. Three of his grandsons honored him when they became part of the Marine Corps brotherhood. Edwin always carried the Marine Corps spirit with him, even to the end. Edwin is preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen Wojcik, and his brother, John (Wojcik) Warren. Edwin will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 59 years, Beverly; his daughters, Donna Wojcik, Diane Sheppard and her husband John, Lynn Mrowca and her husband Bruce, Lisa Alt and her husband Mark, Eileen Reifsnyder and her husband Greg, Elizabeth Schmidt and her husband Dave; eight grandchildren, Megan Kyle, Joshua Kyle, Daniel Sheppard, Stephen Sheppard, Eric Alt, Autumn Alt, John Schmidt and Jennifer Schmidt; one great-grandchild, Jackson Kyle Ragle; his brother, Richard Wojcik; and his sister Adrienne (Wojcik) Kadlec. Join us for visitation, tributes and rosary on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Heritage Memory Mortuary, 131 Grove Ave., Prescott, Ariz. Celebrate with us at a mass on Monday, Dec. 23, 2013, at 9 a.m., at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 150 Fleury St., Prescott, Ariz. Following the mass, honor him with us as we lay him to rest at 1:30 p.m., at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, Ariz. Memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Heritage Center in memory of Edwin S. Wojcik (www.usmcmuseum.org) or the James Family Heart Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center West (call the YRMC Foundation at 928-771-5686 and reference that your donation is in memory of Edwin S. Wojcik). Words cannot express how sincerely Edwin will be missed by all who knew him. He will remain in our hearts forever. Please visit www.heritagemortuary.com to sign Edwin's online guestbook. Services entrusted to Heritage Memory Mortuary. Information provided by survivors.