Vaclav K. Michalek

Vaclav K. Michalek, 95, of Rogers passed away August 25, 2018 in Bentonville. Vaclav Michalek lived a long fantastic life. He was born May 6, 1923 in Bela Pod Bezdem, Czech Republic, the son of Vaclav Michalek and Maria Michalek. His journey took him from his home country of the Czech Republic to Germany during the war, where he was forced labor. After the war, he went home to Czechoslovakia, only to escape to Germany, the night before an election that voted in the communist candidate. That decision caused him to be a displaced person, and he was shuffled, with many other people to Italy. After 18 months in an Italian DP camp, he made the decision to immigrate to Australia. He lived there 7 years and worked for an auto manufacturer and a large ranch in the northern territory. During this time, he learned to fly and became part of the Royal Air Force. In the late 50's he came to the United States where he found work in Chicago with an electrical company. He became a citizen, met his wife, Nancy on a blind date, and eventually had a daughter. The three of them lived in Illinois until he retired to Rogers, Arkansas in 1988. Val always worked on the yard and loved building garden walls and planters, out of native stone. In 2010, he was honored by his hometown in the Czech Republic and given the key to the city, at a ceremony that he attended. Anyone, who knew and visited my father was shown the key and heard the story of that event. Val or Jim as many of his friends called him will be dearly missed, not only by his family but friends and everyone that knew him. He was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Rogers, a generous person, and a great storyteller. Through all the trials and tribulations, he experienced, throughout his life, he never lost his faith or sense of humor. Cheerio dad, we will miss you! He is preceded in death by his wife Nancy Mae Michalek and two siblings Joseph Michalek and Ida Trojan. He is survived by his daughter Maria Akehurst and husband Jon of Rogers; two grandchildren; Clayton and Hannah. Visitation will be Thursday; August 30, 2018, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. and a funeral mass following at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Private interment at St. Vincent Cemetery, Avoca. Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.