June 3, 2017 – West Bend, WI – A memorial will be held today at 2 p.m. at the EAA building at the West Bend Airport in honor of Stanley Mierniczak Jr. who died on Saturday April 8, 2017 after a brief stay at Samaritan Health Center in West Bend.
He was born the youngest of three children on April 12, 1925 in Chicago, IL to the late Stanley Mierniczak and Katryn (nee Kanczuga) Mierniczak.
Stanley grew up in Chicago, attending Henry Clay School (Hegewisch area). He enlisted in the US Navy, completed his training at the Great Lakes Navel Training Center and served on the USS New Jersey battleship during WWII, spending time in Japan toward the conclusion of the war.
While on board, he was trained as an airplane mechanic, a profession that he further developed after his time in the service. He married his next door sweetheart, Loretta, on August 20, 1949 in Chicago. They visited Niagra Falls and attended the Cleveland Air Races as a part of their honeymoon, aviation was always a part of his life.
He was employed by Schneck Aviation in Lansing, IL and Hartzog Avialtion in Rockford, IL before moving his family to West Bend to work with Aerial Blight Control, finally opening his own shop, Stanley Aircraft and Engine Service on the West Bend Airport in 1968. Although he closed his shop in 2015, he could still be found tinkering about and enjoying time with his friends, colleagues and customers at the West Bend Airport.
Stanley had a creative, sharp and independent mind. As a master mechanic he had many admirers and served as a mentor to others, enjoying solving mechanical and engineering problems. He had a quick sense of humor and a humble presentation. Stan was generous with his time and valued his family and friends.
He was a loving husband to Loretta (who predeceased him in 2015) for 67 years, cherished father to Robert Mierniczak of Grafton, WI and Karen Palamos of San Francisco, CA and beloved grandfather to Jordan Palamos of Eugene, OR. He was preceded in death by his brother John (2016) and sister Stella (2011). He is survived by nephews Richard (Annette) of Illinois, Richard (Laura) of Rhode Island, James (Terry) of Indiana, niece Elaine of Indiana, cousin Jim in Minneapolis, and brother-in-law Paul of Rhode Island as well as other extended family members.
The family would like to extend a thank you to the staff of The Samaritan Health Center and Allay Hospice for caring for Stanley during his final days.