So calm and strong was Benjamin D. Jansky that even a man of the cloth took to calling him Gentle Ben.
Jansky, 28, of Oshkosh, Wis., died July 27 in Taqaddum when his vehicle was accidentally struck by another military vehicle. He was assigned to Monclova.
“He placed a high value on why he was in Iraq and believed in it very strongly, yet he had torn feelings,” said Joe Grier, the pastor of Grace Chapel who gave Jansky his nickname. “He really didn”t like being away from his family, and he didn”t like being in unfamiliar territory. But he never complained about the sacrifice.”
Jansky was a stay-at-home dad while his wife taught special education at a middle school. The couple met while both attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. They were married in 1998.
He is survived by his wife, Kate, and two daughters, Emma, 3, and Reyna, just shy of 1 year old.
Jansky was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan who loved baseball and reading. He and his wife worked to establish a ministry program for college students.
“Kids knew they could stop at Ben and Kate”s house anytime, and eat or study,” Grier said. “They were just fantastic for those kids.”
Capt. Benjamin D. Jansky, 28, of Oshkosh died Wednesday July 27, 2005 in Al Taqqaddum, Iraq.
Ben was born September 11, 1976 in Waukegan, IL a son of Donald Jansky and Judith Finch. He married Kate Wieczorek on August 22, 1998 in Oshkosh.
Ben was a member of Grace Chapel and the Army Reserves.
Captain Jansky served in the 521st Maintenance Battalion and then deployed with the 983rd Engineering Battalion to Iraq, where he paid the ultimate price for freedom.
Ben’s survivors include his wife Kate, two daughters Emma and Rayna all of Oshkosh; father and step-mother Donald (Kathleen) Jansky of Fox Lake, IL; father and mother-in-law David (Maureen) Wieczorek of Ridgeway, WI; grandfather Richard Finch of Florida; a brother Jerry (Paula)Beasley of Plainfield, IL; sisters Maria (Tony) Fricano of Mundelein,IL and Amber Meltzer of Lake Villa, IL; five nieces and three nephews; brothers-in-law Matt Wieczorek of Houston, TX, Eli Wieczorek of Madison, and Nathan Wieczorek of Madison. Ben was preceded in death by his mother Judith Finch, and grandparents Kathryn Finch, Kenneth Jansky, and Ruth Jansky.
Funeral services for Ben will be held Friday August 5, 2005 at noon at Community Church (2351 Ryf Road, Oshkosh), Rev. Joe Grier officiating. Family and friends may call at the church on Friday from 9 AM until the service time. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Jansky Children’s Fund at UW-Oshkosh Credit Union, 90 Wisconsin St., Oshkosh, WI 54901 attn: Jansky Children’s Fund.
Ben had a great love for his Lord. He was a devoted husband, father, son, and brother. Ben lived a full life and we will see him in Glory.
Capt. Jansky was killed in a military vehicle accident in Al Taqqaddum, Iraq. He was the son of Donald Jansky & Judith Finch. He married Kate Wieczorek on August 22, 1998 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Ben was a member of Grace Chapel and the Army Reserves. Captain Jansky served in the 521st Maintenance Battalion and then deployed with the 983rd Engineering Battalion to Iraq, where he paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
He is survived by his parents, his wife, Kate, and two daughters, all from Oshkosh, among numerous of other family members.
Funeral services were held August 5, 2005 at the Community Church in Oshkosh, the Rev. Joe Grier officiating. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Jansky Children’s Fund at UW-Oshkosh Credit Union.
If anyone would like to feel generous, please contribute to this fund for Ben’s kid’s!! Please send it to: UW-Oshkosh Credit Union, 90 Wisconsin Street, Oshkosh, WI 54901 attn: Jansky Children’s Fund.
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