Casimir “Ki” Jadwisiak, of Port Clinton, fell asleep in the arms of the Lord on his farm, Blueberry Hill on Aug. 31 after fighting a valiant battle with cancer. He was born Dec. 2, 1926, and was the seventh of eight children of Polish immigrants Catherine (Bojarski) and Anthony Jadwisiak. Ki was predeceased by his wife Helen (O’Neill) and is survived by his 5 children, Joan (Jake deceased) Washburn, Ann Faller, Mary Jadwisiak, Joseph Jadwisiak and Stephen (Maria) Jadwisiak. He is survived by his grandchildren Erick (Keily) Jadwisiak, Brian Faller, Christopher (Lillian) Jadwisiak, Mike Faller, and Caitlin (Jarrod) Heydinger and great granddaughter Emily Rose Jadwisiak.

Casimir was the last surviving member of the Jadwisiak family from Lightner Road including parents and siblings Stell, Chet, Stan, Johnny, Ted, Adolph, Eddy and Henry (Jake).

In 1944 with his parent’s permission, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps at the age of 17. He left the farm for China at 18 and his mother walked across the Danbury High School stage to receive his diploma.
He was very proud of the fact that he was a World War II veteran and a tank driving “China Marine”.

Upon his return to the States, he hitch-hiked across the country from California back to Ohio. Along the way he traded his military watch and $20.00 for an Indian motorcycle to complete the final leg of his journey home.

At the age of 24, Ki met Helen O’Neill at a Fremont Catholic Youth Organization picnic. She was an Irish-Canadian immigrant from another family of eight. They found they had much in common, especially their Catholic faith. They were married soon after and began their family in Erie Gardens, Port Clinton where their first child was born.

They bought a farm east of town and Ki had several jobs in the battery business while he farmed his 50 acres.

In 1961, Ki joined the Allstate Insurance Company and found success as an insurance agent. Always a farmer at heart, he sold all types of produce from his fruit stand on East State Road. He eventually planted a peach orchard and raised apples, plums and other types of fruit in addition to four more beautiful children.

In retirement, Ki sold real estate and wrote a book, An Immigrant Family History, which told the story of his childhood and the area where he grew up.

He will be remembered as a man of strong character and work ethic. Those closest to him will fondly recall his ingenuity, sense of humor and one-liners.

He was a devout Catholic who said the rosary and attended mass daily for many years. In lieu of flowers he wished donations be made to his parish, St Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Marblehead.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, and 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at Neidecker, Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Peninsula Chapel, 7755 E. Harbor Rd. Lakeside-Marblehead, OH. The Rosary will be recited Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home and Parastas Pray Services will be held Friday at the end of visitation in the funeral home. Panachida prayer services will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, at 9 a.m. in the funeral home followed by Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 506 E. Main St. Marblehead, OH followed by interment in St. Mary Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckercrosserpriesman.com.