Marie Vlaiku

Marie O. Vlaiku age 87, of Beloit, died at 8:57 PM, surrounded by her loving family, at Alliance Community Hospital,after a brief illness. She was born in Alliance on Jan. 30, 1921 to William F. and Ida M.. (Ehrlenspiel) Welsh and was a 1939 graduate of Alliance High School. Marie was a member of Regina Coeli Catholic Church in Alliance. She was employed by B&W in Alliance during WW 11 as a welder of gun turrets for the U.S.Navy, and later by Strong Enamel Co. in Sebring. Marie, along with her three sisters, Ruth, Frances and Bernadette performed as the Welsh Sisters singing group during the 1940s, and more recently was a member of the Alliance Chapter of the Sweet Adelines. She also played the piano, guitar, Hawaiian guitar, and accordion. Painting, ceramics and making crafts were some of her previous hobbies. After the death of her father in 1950, Marie, her husband and many other family members selflessly donated much of their time to help their mother operate the former Welsh’s Greenhouse in Beloit until it closed in 1967. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Ruth Ondreko, a brother William F. Welsh Jr., and 3 infant brothers, Robert, Samuel and Patrick and a grandson Robert J. Stowe. She is survived by her husband John N. Vlaiku whom she married Oct. 30,1948, children John W. (Carole) Vlaiku of Columbiana, Michael N. (Linda) Vlaiku of North Jackson, Anita M (David) Hicks of Leetonia, Timothy J. (Mary Ann) Vlaiku of Alliance, Richard D. Vlaiku of Beloit, 8 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and her two sisters Frances (William) Mooney of North Canton, and Bernadette (Thomas) Wilson of Beloit. She will be sadly missed by all. Services will be held at Regina Coeli Catholic Church, in Alliance on, Monday, January 5, 2009 at 11:00 AM, with Father Mike Seifert officiating. Friends may call Sunday at Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home in Sebring from 2 to 8 PM with the family present from 6 to 8. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital in Marie’s memory. Arrangements are by Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home. Friends may view the obituary and sign the guest register on line at www.grfuneralhome.com.

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