John Stanley Pawlik, Jr.

John S Pawlik, Jr (“Papa”), age 90, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2023 after a long battle with Leukemia. 

John was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 2, 1932.  John and his brother Tony grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, helping their dad build 3 houses to live in.  After high school, John joined the U.S. Air Force and served proudly for 26 years until retirement.  While in the Air Force, John served in the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. 

While stationed at Torrejon AFB in Spain, John met and married the love of his life, Maria, on February 18, 1961.  Together they raised 3 children – John, Michael, and Angeline, traveling to Ohio, Texas, Japan, Louisiana, and Turkey for subsequent Air Force assignments before retiring in Bossier City. 

Not one to stay idle after retirement, John worked a variety of civilian jobs at Barksdale AFB before retiring from Civil Service.  After this second retirement, John continued working at the Louisiana State University in Shreveport bookstore and doing body work on cars and trucks. 

John was active in the Catholic Church and was a 4^th degree knight in the Knights of Columbus.  He was devoted to reading the Bible, praying the rosary, and living a life of charity.  John was also generous with his time to anybody who needed a helping hand. 

John is survived by his loving wife, Maria; son John Pawlik (wife Judy), son Michael Pawlik, and daughter Angeline Walters (husband Roger).  John is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

John is preceded in death by his mother Angeline, his father John, and his brother Tony. 

Our family would like to thank the nurses and staff at both the Northwest Louisiana Veteran’s Home in Bossier City and Bristol Hospice for their excellent care and compassion during John’s final days.