Thomas Lewis Chapko (1921 - 2010)

Biography

Thomas, son of Thomas Chapko and Paulina Micek, was born on 16 April 1921 in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.^[1] His parents had migrated to the United States from the Slovakian region of the Austro-Hungarian empire and he had three siblings, two brothers and one sister.^[2]

Thomas' father worked as a proprietor of a soft drink parlor, had immigrated in 1905, was naturalized and could speak English. His mother, who immigrated in 1913 was still at alien status, had not attended school, but could speak English. Slovakian was the language of choice within the home. Sadly, Thomas lost his mother when he was only 13 years old.^[3]

By 1940, Thomas (age 19) had graduated from high school and was now working. His father was working as a filter packer.^[4] He registered for the World War II draft on 16 February 1942.^[5] Later that same year, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard on 18 August 1942. He was discharged on 29 December 1945.^[6]

After the war, he returned home to live with his father and worked as a bartender.^[7] At some point after 1950, Thomas married Helen Ann Sobek. They had one child together, a son. The family lived many years in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.^[8] After Helen passed away in 2002, Thomas settled in Eagle, Wisconsin. Thomas died (age 89) there on 21 August 2010 and was buried at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, Wisconsin.^{[9][10][11][12]}

Research Notes

• Thomas is FamilySearch Person: G5ZB-LBN.
• Profiles need to be created for Thomas' wife, Helen Sobek (1916-2002), and his son, Joseph Chapko (1955- living).
• A marriage record has not been found for Helen and Thomas.

Sources

1. ↑ Birth: "Wisconsin, U.S., Birth Records, 1812-1921," database
   Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin, Birth Records
   (Ancestry Record 61482 #867520 : accessed 24 March 2024)
   Tom L Chapko born on 16 Apr 1921.
2. ↑ 1930 Census: "1930 United States Federal Census," database with images
   Year 1930, Census Place Oak Creek, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Page 13B, Enumeration District 0360, FHL microfilm 2342334
   (Ancestry Record 6224 #58316600 : accessed 24 March 2024)
   Thomas Chapko (9), single son, in household of Thomas Chapko (42) at 5th Ave, Oak Creek, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Born in Wisconsin. The household consisted of Thomas Chapko 42, wife Paulina Chapko 35, son Anton Chapko 13, daughter Frances Chapko 11, son Thomas Chapko 9, and son Rudolph Chapko 4.
3. ↑ Death of Mother: "Wisconsin, U.S., Death Records, 1872-2004," database
   Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Death Records, 1933-1958
   (Ancestry Record 61483 #3957601 : accessed 24 March 2024)
   Pauline Chapko death 15 Mar 1935 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
4. ↑ 1940 Census: "1940 United States Federal Census," database with images
   Year 1940, Census Place Carrollville, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Roll m-t0627-04501, Page 17A, Enumeration District 40-37
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry Record 2442 #82058170 : accessed 24 March 2024)
   Thomas Chopko Jr (19), single son, New Worker, in household of Thomas Chopko (52) in Carrollville, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Born in Wisconsin. The household consisted of Thomas Chopko 52, son Anton Chopko 22, daughter Travers Chopko 21, son Thomas Chopko 19, and son Rudolph Chopko 14.
5. ↑ Military: "U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947," database with images
   National Archives at St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, Draft Registration Cards For Wisconsin, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947, Record Group Records of the Selective Service System, 147, Box 108
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry Record 2238 #198916989 : accessed 24 March 2024)
   Name Thomas Louis Chapko, Race White, Age 20, Birth Date 16 Apr 1921, Birth Place Carrollville, Wisconsin, Residence Place Carrollville, Milw, Wisconsin, USA, Registration Date 16 Feb 1942, Registration Place South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, Employer None, Height 5 5", Weight 180, Complexion Light Brown, Hair Color Brown, Eye Color Brown, Next of Kin Thomas Chapko Sr,
   Household Members (Name)
   Thomas Louis Chapko.
6. ↑ Military: "U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010," database
   Original data Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File. Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Page number 1
   (Ancestry Record 2441 #6971082 : accessed 24 March 2024)
   Name Thomas L Chapko, Gender Male, Birth Date 16 Apr 1921, Death Date 11 Aug 2010, Enlistment Branch CG, Enlistment Date 18 Aug 1942, Discharge Date 29 Dec 1945.
7. ↑ 1950 Census: "1950 United States Federal Census," database with images
   National Archives at Washington, DC, Washington, D.C., Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950, Year 1950, Census Place Carrollville, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Roll 1833, Page 10, Enumeration District 40-88
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry Record 62308 #120573912 : accessed 24 March 2024)
   Thomas S Chapko (29), single son, Bartender, in household of Thomas Chapko Sr (62) in Carrollville, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Born in Wisconsin. The household consisted of Thomas Chapko Sr 62, and son Thomas S Chapko 29.
8. ↑ Residence: "U.S., Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002," database
   City Oak Creek, State Wisconsin, Year(s) 1995-2002
   (Ancestry Record 7339 #28350102 : accessed 24 March 2024)
   Name Thomas L Chapko, Gender Male, Residence Years 1995-2002, Address 8775 S Oak Park Dr Apt 6, Residence Place Oak Creek, Wisconsin, USA, Zip Code 53154-3849, Phone Number 414-762-8277.
9. ↑ Death: "U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014," database
   Social Security Administration, Washington D.C., USA, Social Security Death Index, Master File
   (Ancestry Record 3693 #87993985 : accessed 24 March 2024)
   Thomas L Chapko death 21 Aug 2010 (born 16 Apr 1921) residing at 53119, Eagle, Waukesha, Wisconsin.
10. ↑ Obituary: "U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current," database
    Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Publication Date 24/ Aug/ 2010, Publication Place Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
    (Ancestry Record 7545 #23003386 : accessed 24 March 2024)
    Name Thomas L. Chapko, Gender Male, Death Age 89, Birth Date abt 1921, Residence Place Oak Creek, Carrollville, Death Date 21 Aug 2010, Obituary Date 24 Aug 2010, Spouse Helen Chapko, Child Joe Chapko, Siblings Rudy Chapko.
11. ↑ Burial: "U.S., Veterans' Gravesites, ca.1775-2019," database
    National Cemetery Administration, U.S. Veterans' Gravesites
    (Ancestry Record 8750 #7145002 : accessed 24 March 2024)
    Thomas L Chapko burial (died on 21 Aug 2010) in Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Union Grove, Wisconsin, USA. Born on 16 Apr 1921.
12. ↑ Memorial: "Find a Grave," database with images
    (Find A Grave: Memorial #133733544 : accessed 24 March 2024)
    Memorial page for Thomas L. Chapko (16 Apr 1921-21 Aug 2010), citing Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Union Grove, Racine County, Wisconsin, USA (plot: G, 359); Maintained by mmel (contributor 47686399).