Walter B. Cieslak, 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 19, 2010 in Kenosha, WI. Walter was born in East Chicago, IN and was a graduate of East Chicago Roosevelt High School. He was a U. S. Navy veteran and served during WWII. He married Irene Joan Koziol on May 1, 1942 and spent 68 wonderful years together until Irene's death on June 27, 2010.

They lived in the Hessville section of Hammond for many years before moving to Prairie Ridge Sr. Campus in Pleasant Prairie, WI in 1998. Walter is survived by his children Robert (Kathleen) Cieslak of Lincolnshire, IL, Fr. William Cieslak O.F.M. Cap. Of Chicago, IL, and Mary (James) Bandura of Pleasant Prairie, WI; three grandchildren: Christine (Michael) Wolf of Evanston, IL, Dr. Elizabeth (Scott) Jennings of Madison, WI, and Mary Dietrich of Chicago, IL; five great-grandchildren: Henry, Maggie, and Nathan Wolf, and Simon and Tate Jennings. He is further survived by his brother, Chester (Dolores) Cieslak of Griffith, IN, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents, one sister; Helen Jesuwit, and brothers; Peter Cieslak, Andrew Miskowski, William Miskosky, Vincent Miskosky and Frank Miskosky.

Walter was a kind and loving husband and father who always put the needs of others before his own. He was a lifelong White Sox fan and a man of faith, following the principles of St. Francis of Assisi. Walter was a member of St. Anne's Catholic Church in Pleasant Prairie, WI and a former member of St. Catherine of Siena Church and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. until the time of Mass at 5:00p.m. at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 9091 Prairie Ridge Blvd., Pleasant Prairie, WI with Fr. William Cieslak officiating. Visitation and a farewell service will be held at Bocken Funeral Home, 7042 Kennedy Ave, Hammond, IN, beginning at 10:00a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 23, 2010. Entombment will follow at St. John-St. Joseph Cemetery in Hammond. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Anne's Building Fund, St. Joseph's Home for the Aged, or Hospice Alliance, Inc., Pleasant Prairie, WI.