John Steven Jelinek, 91, of Parkville, MO passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. John was born October 31, 1926 to Joseph Steven and Carol (Graff) Jelinek in Downers Grove, IL.
John was a veteran of the United States Army and served his country during WWII.
He was united in marriage with Angelin D’Amicone in July 1979 in Downers Grove, IL. John spent the first 30 years of his working career with General Electric. He was a McDonald’s owner operator for the last 36 years.
John always had a positive attitude, reminding you that the cup was always half full. He was very organized; never putting anything off and enjoyed sharing his motto – Do It Now. During his leisure time, John enjoyed playing tennis and snow skiing in his younger years and loved a good nonfiction book and history. John loved practical jokes and sharing his margarita recipe.
He was preceded in death by both parents and his first wife Lorraine Eastman. Survived by his loving wife, Angie Jelinek; five children: Steve Jelinek (Sharon) Kansas City, MO; Bill Jelinek (Jacqui) Foxboro, WI; John Jelinek (Sharon) Flossmoor, Il; Lori Zabler (Scott) Cedar Falls, IA; Lisa Manley (Alex Mard) Naples, FL; twelve grandchildren: Sarah Olmedo (Nick); Bryan Jelinek (Jenn); Joe Jelinek; Jeff Jelinek (Karla) Jenny Jelinek (Zoran); Dr. Michael Jelinek (Alyssa); Michelle Jelinek; Kate Zabler (Sachin Sugunan); Daniel Zabler (Emily); Amy Zabler; Douglas Zabler; Laura Manley; eleven great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, a brother, Walter Jelinek (late JoAnn) Lisle, IL; a sister, Carol Sprunger (Bob) Riverside, IL and sister- in- law Elaine Russell (Jack) Ravenna, OH.
The family will receive friends from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2018 at St. Therese Catholic Church 7207 Highway 9 Kansas City, MO. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to The Salvation Army or Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City. The Meyers Funeral Chapel in Parkville has been entrusted with the final arrangements. Memories and condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.
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Deepest sympathy to the
“real” John Jelinek & his family! He lived a long, productive life! God Bless!!
So sorry to have lost Uncle John. Am glad to know that he had such a rich and full life, and that he didn’t have to suffer long in the end! My arms reach out to hug my cousins in the loss of their father, never an easy time! Am happy to recall many wonderful memories of him and our families–many wonderful, loud and happy gatherings! Glad to call you all family!
Angie
You know that we will be there for you .
We already miss him !
Love Jane and Warren
Angie, we are so sorry to hear of John’s passing. You and the entire family will be in our thoughts and prayers in the days and weeks ahead.
Love,
David and Pennie
John will always be an inspiration
John and Sharon,
We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
God Bless, Linde and Debbie
For over 40 years John has been a force for good in Midtown, an exemplary businessman, and a friend. I will miss him and his uplifting spirit. Thanks John for the memories and our love and care to your family.
Angie I am so sorry for your loss. I am grateful that he did not suffer long. & led a full productive life as he wished.
Angie –
My Heart and Prayers go to you and the Family … such a Blessing to Kansas City and Parkville !!! A true Treasure to all who knew John ! A Prince of a Man !!!
xoxo
Candi Sweeney
My deepest sympathy to you Angie and John’s family. My prayers are with you.
I never knew John and am a friend of Lisa’s husband, Alex Mard, who I studied with Islamabad many years ago. I just discovered the sad news that Lisa’s father has passed away. My heart is with Lisa and her family because there is nothing harder than losing someone you love. I trust your wonderful and happy memories of him will sustain you through this difficult period. The picture of John tells me so much about this wonderful husband, father and friend who lived life to the fullest, with such a beautiful, positive attitude and the smile on his face warms my heart this morning. Our loving thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I am deeply saddened by the loss your family have encountered.
My most heartfelt condolences.
Emad Mir
Dearest Angie and family…my deepest condolences to you. John was such a terrific man…so upbeat. I’ll always remember the twinkle in his eyes when he smiled. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family. Love, Johnnie
Great sorrow to hear of John’s passing. He has been a friend and positive force in Midtown, and we will miss him. His enthusiasm never wavered nor his direct and fact-driven assessments striving to make Midtown better.
Debbie & I hated to hear the news! We love John J!
His memory will live on, because he’s not one you can forget! I had a great talk with John when I took him home from our Co-op meeting in St. Joe this past August. We talked about the the business, the future, and our FAITH. I think John is resting in the presence of the Lord, but knowing him, I bet he’s keeping really busy! John gave us all a lot of great memories and a lot of laughs! He was a character that will be missed!!!
Debbie & I are praying for the family!
iT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS TO HEAR OF JOHN’S PASSING. HE WILLL BE MISSED BY THE MANY
FRIENDS HE HAD IN MCDONALD’S. A GOOD FRIEND AND GREAT MCDONALD’S OPERATOR.
MIKE AND DEB KLAK
ST LOUIS COOP OPERATORS
We will never forget John. May God give him eternal rest.
Elli and Pete VanDeMark
So sorry to hear of John’s passing Angie. He definately loved life! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
We join you and your family in mourning this incredible man who was so honest, witty and positive in everything he did. He always stood up for what he believed in but in a very classy manner. He was such a positive force in the Kansas City community. He will leave a major void. Please accept our deepest condolences for your loss.
Love,
Ginny & Gary
Our heartfelt condolences. Love, Blas and Silvia Tortes
Deepest condolences to Angie and all the family of John Jelinek on your loss.
I was welcomed by John and Lorraine into their family for a year as an exchange student, and knew John as a generous, warm and outgoing man, whose positive attitude and highly organized, “can-do” and hands-on approach to life set a great example and inspired admiration and attempted emulation.
8 years later, John and Angie, too, welcomed my wife Janet and me to join in the celebration of their wedding in 1979.
John holds a special place in our affections and we join you in mourning his loss; but also in celebrating his life and example.
Farewell Uncle John – you are and will be sorely missed. I still remember how you flew me around the yard and into the bushes! Best vacations of all were spending time with our families together and you all letting us kids be KIDS! I’m sure Grandma and Grandpa Eastman wondered if we’d ever grow up, or at least grow quiet! Cousin John, you gotta keep up with your brothers and visit out here sooner or later, Steve’s been out and Bill is out frequently. Know that I keep you all in my heart and in my prayers. Hugs and kisses, Jan & Mike Montag
Dearest Angie and family – so glad that I got to meet and spend time with your great husband of over 38 years! Always found him to love life and live it to the fullest. Our love and prayers to you dear cousin. Perry and Jean Martini
My condolences to the family. He was a great man with a wonderful sense of humor! He will be missed.
Angie please know you are in my thoughts and prayers as you deal with the loss of your dear John. Sending my love to you and your family.
Dear Angie and family,
We were saddened to learn of John’s passing. We have so many fond memories of the great times we had together as neighbors in KC , now over 30 years ago. We had such a great “Group” in that neighborhood. John was always ready to make the “best margaritas” and flash that great smile. He is now in God’s hands and we send our heartfelt condolences and prayers to you all.
So sorry to learn of John’s passing. Just days ago we were together at the year-end meeting, enjoying his wit, wisdom and marketing genius and planning next year. John’s friends and admirers in Midtown will miss his positive energy, quiet enthusiasm and contribution to the good of his community-but most of all his warm and generous friendship.
May John rest in peace. Angie
We will always miss John. He was a gentleman, always positive. His smile was outstanding.
I feel John realized how much we cared for both of you.
Gone, but he will never be forgotten.
We send our thoughts and prayers to the entire Jelinek family. God Bless you at this time of sadness.
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
What a full and productive life John led! He certainly left a mark on so many people. We hope that brings you and the family comfort and peace.
Mona and Rob Gauer
My thoughts and prayers are with John and the family. He was a “McDonald’s Streetfighter” and I admired his tenacious manner. I always appreciated the newspaper clippings from the Star that would intermittently appear in my mail slot on topics that were relevant and interesting. RIP
My condolences to the family on the sudden passing of this special person. I have been John’s accountant for over 20 years and I can say that in all those years, John was always positive about everything – the cup was always half full. He lived his life to the fullest and never gave up what he loved doing – operating his business. If there is a McDonald’s restaurant in heaven, you can be sure that John will be running the show!
Dear Angie, A great man with great integrity! He will be missed.
Marc and Marianne Sportsman
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers that you may have peace.
Love,
Linda
I remember the first time I met John 20 years ago when I first started working with McDonalds and he had as much energy and love for the business now as he did then. I will miss him and always remember his smile and positive attitude. He will be missed by so many. My prayers are with you all.
Jeff and I would like to share our condolence. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Blessings to you and yours.
Jefffrey and Nina Jelinek
Ginny and I have fond memories of John who was a colorful character with bundles of energy despite his age. Only John could plan to invite the neighborhood gourmet group to his house to have a limo pick us all up to be delivered to his secret destination, his beloved McDonalds where everyone was treated like royalty. He will be missed but not forgotten.
So sorry, Angie. He sounds like a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.
Angie (Lori and Lisa) and families: I am very sorry for your loss. I met John on a few occasions at family functions and he was always so kind and gentle. My father also sends his condolences to you as well. We are thinking of you in sympathy. May he Rest In Peace.
Angie and Family,
So sorry to hear of Johns passing. He was so active and a sweet man, with wonderful stories. May God hold you and your family in his hands. 🙏🙏
Three important keys to success that I learned from Dad which I passed along to my own kids, and soon I’ll start working on the 4-year old grandson:
1. Be an hour early rather than a minute late.
2. Work hard at whatever you do; hard work will be recognized and rewarded.
3. Everything in moderation.
Thanks, Dad.
Just found out that my Idol, John Jelinek was called back to the Lord’s presence in January 2018.
John is responsible for my long career in McDonald’s. He convinced me to stay with McDonald’s at a time I was unsure of what career path to follow. He sent me to all the available classes at the time; from B. O. C to HU.
I learned tenacity, organization, and hard work eventually pays off. I will ever be grateful to him for teaching me those qualities.
I am pretty sure he in God’s glory. My family and I wish his wife, Angie comfort during this time of loss.
God bless the entire John Jelinek family.