Alvin R. Spilinek

Alvin R. Spilinek, 91, of Elba, died Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, at Edgewood Vista in Grand Island. Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul. The Rev. Thomas Clark will officiate. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul, with graveside military honors by Carl Mogensen American Legion Post 119 of St. Paul. Visitation will be held one hour before time of services at the church. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family. Alvin was born on Aug. 13, 1927, on a farm east of Elba, the son of George D. and Martha J. (Novotny) Spilinek. He attended Howard County rural schools in the Elba area and graduated from Elba High School in 1945. He then farmed with his parents. He was united in marriage to Ellen A. Teng on Jan. 20, 1951, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Grand Island. He entered the United States Army during the Korean War and served from Nov. 15, 1951 until Mar. 31, 1953. He then returned to the farm east of Elba, where he and Ellen raised their family and farmed the rest of his life. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Carl Mogensen American Legion Post 119 of St. Paul and the Howard County Farm Bureau. Alvin enjoyed polka music and dancing with Ellen and he loved to farm and raise his Hereford cattle. He is survived by his wife, Ellen Spilinek of Grand Island; two daughters and son-in-law, Cynthia Klinginsmith of Tampa, FL and Twyla and Jim Martin of St. Libory; two sons and daughter-in-law, Terry and Diane Spilinek of Elba and Larry Spilinek of Elba; nine grandchildren, Elizabeth Klinginsmith, Christopher Martin, Mary Martin, Bradley Martin, Justin Spilinek, Eric Spilinek, Shari Spilinek, Tyler and Michelle Spilinek and Ashley and Tommy Safarik. He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Don Klinginsmith; infant grandson; and three brothers, Raymond, Clayton and George Spilinek. Memorials are suggested to Christ Lutheran Church or the Elba Fire Department & EMT's.