Gerald R. “Jerry” Cibulka, Sr., age 81 of Shawano, passed away early Wednesday
morning, November 18, 2020 at The Pines Nursing Home in Embarrass.
Gerald was born November 7, 1939 in Milwaukee, the son of the late Frank and Vivian
Cibulka. He attended Milwaukee public school, and graduated from West Division High
School in 1957. After high school, Jerry went on to work as a machine operator at
Inland Container Company in Milwaukee. On March 15, 1958, Jerry was united in
marriage to the former Lonnie Heidrich. The couple made their home on the north side
of Milwaukee, where they raised their family. In 2001 Jerry retired from the Mead Paper
Company, and he and Lonnie relocated to Shawano.
Jerry is a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Shawano. He is a former member
of the Eagles Club in Milwaukee where he spent many Saturday mornings playing
handball and developing numerous lifelong friends. He was also a member of Ducks
Unlimited of Wisconsin. Jerry was a lifelong softball player. He played for many years
in and around Milwaukee, and was a member of the 1970 United States Softball
Association World Championship softball team that he was very proud of. After retiring,
he continued playing on the over 65 league in Shawano. Jerry was an avid
outdoorsman, and during his retirement years he shot his biggest deer and caught his
largest Muskie. He also spent time on the golf course, and enjoyed handcrafting his
favorite fishing lure. Jerry treasured hunting with his children and grandchildren. He
was an avid Sheepshead player, and loved his Tuesday afternoon get togethers. Jerry
was an avid Packers, Brewers, and Badgers fan. Recently he was able to check off a
bucket list item by attending a taping of his favorite game show, The Price is Right.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Lonnie Cibulka, of Shawano; his sons, Timothy
Cibulka of Shawano, Danny (LouAnn) Cibulka of Gillett, Jerry Cibulka and his special
friend, Lara Lopez, of Pewaukee, and Donald (Sandy) Cibulka of West Bend; his
grandchildren, Brianna (John) Verhagen, Bryce Cibulka, Jeremy Cibulka, MaKayla
Cibulka, and Trenton Cibulka; his sister-in-law, Judy Cibulka of Rhinelander; and
several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Tom Cibulka.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, a private family funeral service for Jerry will be held.
Interment will be in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Milwaukee. Memorials are preferred
to the Parkinson’s Society or the Alzheimer’s Foundation in Jerry’s name.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with
arrangements.
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