JOHN LAWRENCE SHIMANEK

(NO GRAVESTONE)

B. July 22, 1930 in Chicago, Cook County, IL
D. June 18, 1945 in Round Lake, Lake County, IL
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  • Father: John G. Shimanek born September 14, 1908 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; John died in January 1965; buried in the Ridgewood Cemetery, Des Plaines, Cook County, IL

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940 – 1947:

“Name: John Shimanek; Address: 2504 Seminary Ave, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Telephone: none; Age in Years: 32; Date of Birth: Sept. 14, 1908; Place of Birth: Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.; Name of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mrs. Johanna Shimanek; Relationship of That Person: Wife; Address of That Person: 2504 Seminary Ave, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Employer’s Name: Advertising Metal Displays; Place of Employment: 113 N. Green St., Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Race: White; Height: 5′ 7″; Weight: 135; Eyes: Brown; Hair: Brown; Complexion: Ruddy; Signed: Oct. 16, 1940”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Sunday, January 31, 1965, page 27:

“Shimanek
John G. Shimanek, beloved husband of Johanna, nee Voelkner; loving father of Sheldon, Vernon, Sharon Anthony, and Jacqueline; grandfather of eight; dear brother of Henry, Clara Kupka, Shirley Wiegman, and Ruth Davidson. Services Monday, February 1, at 3 p. m., at the M. J. Suerth Funeral Home, 6754 Northwest highway. Interment Ridgewood cemetery. NE 1-1240.”

  • Mother: Johanna (Voelkner) Shimanek born January 18, 1910 in Illinois, daughter of Catherine (Voelkner) Phoehls (1878-1966); Johanna died June 24, 1989; last residence: 28560, New Bern, Craven, North Carolina
  • Silblings:
    • Sheldon Shimanek born about 1934 in Illinois
    • Vernon E. Shimanek born July 10, 1935 in Chicago, Cook County, IN; married Anita C. Povlock (1929-2005); Vernon died October 6, 2008 in La Porte, La Porte County, IN; buried in Springville Cemetery, La Porte, La Porte County, IN
    • Sharon (Shimanek) Anthony born about 1936 in Illinois
    • Jacqueline Shimanek

Additional Information:

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Chicago, Cook County, IL living at 2504 Seminary Ave, the household members were:

“John Shimanek, head, age 31, married, highest grade completed: 8, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935; Occupation: Screen Processer – Advertising; Johanna Shimanek, wife, age 30, married, highest grade completed: H2, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935; John Shimanek Jr, son, age 9, single, highest grade completed: 3, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935; Sheldon Shimanek, son, age 6, single, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935; Vernon Shimanek, son, age 4, single, born in Illinois; Sharon Shimanek, daughter, age 10/12, single, born in Illinois”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Thursday, June 21, 1945, page 18:

“Boy Drowns in Round Lake
as Pal Attempts Rescue

   The drowning Monday in Round lake of John Shimanek, Jr., 15, of Round Lake beach, was reported last night to the Lake county sheriff’s office in Waukegan. The body has not been recovered. Shimanek and Thomas Grogan, 15, also of Round Lake beach, were diving from a canoe when Shimanek apparently was seized by a cramp. Grogan tried unsuccessfully to rescue Simanke.”

According to the Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947:

“Name: John Lawrence Shimanek; Birth Date: 22 Jul 1930; Birth Place: Chicago, Ill; Death Date: 18 Jun 1945; Death Place: Round Lake, Lake, Illinois; Burial Date: 25 Jun 1945; Burial Place: Avon Twp., Lake, Ill.; Cemetery Name: Fort Hill; Death Age: 14; Occupation: Student (High School); Race: White: Marital status: S; Gender: Male; Residence: Round Lake Beach, Lake, Ill; Father Name: John Shimanek; Father Birth Place: Chicago, Ill; Mother Name: Johanna Voelkner; Mother Birth Place: Chicago, Ill; FHL Film Number: 1984188”

According to the Lake County Illinois Genealogical Society. “Strang Funeral Home – Grayslake, Illinois – 1908-1964”. Mundelein IL. 2015:

“Surname: SHIMANEK; Name: John Lawrence; Birth Date/Place: 22 Jul 1930, Chicago; Death Date/Place: 18 Jun 1945, Round Lake; Cause of Death: Drowning; Single; Occupation: Student; Minister – Funeral Home: Chapel; Burial Place – Next of Kin: Fort Hill, John SHIMANEK (Chicago)-Father, Johanna VOELKNER (Chicago)-Mother”