Joseph P. Velek's Obituary
Oakley-Dr. Joseph P. Velek, 81, of Oakley, passed away early Saturday morning, June 28, 2014 in his home with his family by his side.
Dr. Velek was born February 11, 1933 in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of Joseph and Mildred (Trealeven) Velek. He attended Northern Illinois University from 1951-1955 where he received his B.S. He then attended the University of Illinois Medical School from 1955-1959 where he received his M.D. He completed his residency at the University of Illinois ENT from 1960-1964. Dr. Velek then went on to serve with the U.S. Public Health Service as Lt. Commander at the USPHS Hospital in Staten Island, New York from 1964-1966. He began his practice as a ENT Physician & Surgeon in Decatur in 1966 and retired in 1998 with over thirty-two years of service. He was a member of Cross Pointe Community Church, American Medical Association, American Academy of ENT Allergy, American Academy of Head & Neck Surgery, and the American College of Surgeons. To make women more aware of ovarian cancer and its symptoms, he was involved with starting a chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition in Central Illinois. Dr. Velek married Mildred Wray in 1955, and had three sons. Dr. Velek married Diane (Johnson) Robinson June 3, 1993 in Decatur. She preceded him in death September 14, 2003.
Dr. Velek leaves behind his sons Paul Velek of Lynchburg, Virginia, and Thomas Velek and wife Cindy of Columbus, Mississippi, stepchildren Shane Robinson and wife Kristin of Cerro Gordo and Brook Warnhoff and husband Kale of St. Louis, Missouri, and eight grandchildren.
Dr. Velek was reunited in Heaven with his parents, wife, sister, son David, and granddaughter Jennifer.
Services to celebrate Dr. Velek’s life will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the funeral home. Entombment will be in the Star of Hope Mausoleum at Graceland Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the wishes of the family in c/o Paul Velek.
The family of Dr. Joseph P. Velek is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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