James F. O'Cilka

James Francis O'Cilka, 76, of Petersburg, NE, died Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at his home.

Funeral services are 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 5, at Levander Funeral Home in Albion with the Rev. Mary Avidano officiating. Burial with military rites will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Petersburg.Visitation is 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. July 5 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Wounded Warrior Project.

James was born June 15, 1943, in Ehrenfeld, Cambria County, PA, to John Michael and Stella Catherine (Wilk) O'Cilka. He was raised in Cambria County near Johnstown, PA. He graduated from Adams-Somerville School. He served in the United State Air Force from 1961-65. He was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha. He worked as a mechanic for a time in Omaha.

He married Janet Jean Esau in Omaha on March 30, 1968. They lived in Omaha, later moving to Petersburg. James held a bachelor's degree in business with emphasis in engineering. He worked at Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, Lindsay Manufacturing Co. in Lindsay and Century Manufacturing in Aurora. He worked various other jobs until retirement, including miscellaneous work at Country Partners in Albion.

He was a member of the Petersburg America Legion Post #334, serving as commander from 1984-87.

James was tough on the outside, with a warm heart on the inside when it came to his family. He spent countless hours riding horses, playing baseball, riding bikes and playing tennis with his children. He loved to hunt and fish, and had a passion for fixing cars and guns. In his later years, he engineered many small projects, including building a cathedral out of matchsticks.

Survivors are his brother, John of Valencia, PA; son, John S. O'Cilka and wife, Lisa, of Rapid City, SD;
daughter, Jennifer Lyn Kalvelage and husband, Tim, of Hastings; son, Jason James O'Cilka and wife, Tonja, also of Rapid City; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and a grandson.