Vincent R. Dvorak

Vincent Robert Dvorak, 82, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 8.

He was born on Jan. 20, 1930, in Dickinson to parents Joseph and Anna “Splichal” Dvorak. He attended rural schools in Stark County while he helped his father work the family farm.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1949 and served in the Korean War. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal for his heroic achievements, along with the Purple Heart for a combat related injury.

In 1951, he married the love of his life, Lillian Tuhy from South Heart, where she then joined him at Fort Gordon, Ga., until his honorable discharge in 1952.

From 1953 to 1957, they rented and worked a farm near Dickinson. In 1957, they moved to Billings, Mont., where he worked several jobs, including putting his mechanical skills to work managing two service stations. In 1968, they moved to Whitefish, Mont., where he worked at the Anaconda Aluminum Company in Columbia Falls, Mont., and then for the Bonneville Power Administration’s Bureau of Reclamation project at the Hungry Horse Dam in Hungry Horse, Mont., as a maintenance man until his retirement in 1985.

In 1989, they moved to Apache Junction, Ariz., then on to Payson, Green Valley and then back to his final resting place of Apache Junction in 2004.

He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, dancing, playing cards and visiting with neighbors. He was a member of St. George’s Parish in Apache Junction, the Korean Veterans and the Disabled American Veterans.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, three sisters, one grandson, one granddaughter and one great-granddaughter.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, five children: Gary and Linda Dvorak of Barnegat, N.J., Daphne Kirkwood of Billings, Jeff and Darlene Dvorak of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Greg and Ronda Dvorak of Eureka, Mont., Donna and Chris Watson of Hamilton, Ohio, eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, one brother and one sister.

Vince was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service was held for Vince on Thursday, Nov. 15, at noon at St. George’s Parish in Apache Junction.

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