Obituaries

Joseph Olenik

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelby County’s best “walker” Joseph Olenik, age 65 of Joaquin, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2017 in Joaquin as a result of an accident. His pastor, Rev. Paul Silvey stated, “Now he’s walking on streets of gold.”
 
Services will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 12, 2017 at First Baptist Church in Joaquin with Bro. Paul Silvey & Bro. Joseph Rowe officiating, burial will follow at Joaquin Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday, March 11, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Mangum Funeral Home.
 
Joseph or “Joey” was born March 14, 1951 in Lake Charles, LA to parents, Edward & Temple Rose (Bazer) Olenik, who precede him in death.
 
A birth accident with forceps left Joey mentally challenged and epileptic.  He attended public schools until the third grade; he then went to state schools and trade schools in Lake Charles, Leesville and Hammond.  He made and sold decorative pillows from state to state for five years with his best friend from Leesville School. Joseph then took a drafting class at age 21 and learned to draw blueprints of houses. This showed more autistic traits. Joseph, along with his mom and younger sister moved to Joaquin in 1970, where his mom’s family lived.  Joseph then moved to Shreveport where he ran his own lawn business for twenty years.  He also bought and paid for his small home. In 1999, brain surgery alleviated most of his seizures and his family convinced him to retire and move back to Joaquin. He had walked all over Shreveport with his lawn mowers, in spite of the seizures and many more adversities. Joseph did not believe in giving up or giving in. He also didn’t believe people should stop exercising~ so he began to walk all over Shelby County. Joseph was ornery to his “bossy” sisters, but he prayed for everyone and read his Bible every night.   His generous and compassionate spirit and sense of humor will be missed by his family and friends. Joseph was a member of First Baptist Church in Joaquin. 
 
A special thanks to his friends, Susie and Nathan and the crew at Subway in Joaquin, and DP and Nick and family at Executive Inn and Suites in Joaquin. They lived out this song to Joseph: “You’ve Got a Friend”.  Eternal gratitude is given to Joyce and Steve Cockrell, Rev. Paul Silvey, Jesse the ambulance driver and all the brave group that helped at the accident Thursday night. The family would not have made it through without each of you. He will be missed so very much by many.  He was loved and he loved people.  But as he often reminded his family of his favorite scripture “We can do all things through Christ which strengthens us”.
 
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward & Temple Olenik. 
 
He is survived by:
3 Sisters:
Mitzie Duffy & husband, Dan of Arlington
Rosie Deskin of Joaquin
Lessie Olenik of Arlington
Nieces and Nephews:
Deborah Hayes & husband, Allan of Atlanta, GA
Brenda Brutsche & husband, Tony of Arlington 
Patrick Duffy & Daniel Berry of Ft. Worth
Rachel Singleton & fiancé, Mark Casteel of Lake Charles, LA
Robert Deskin of Dallas
Billie Deskin of Lake Charles, LA
Numerous Great Nieces & Nephews, Aunts & Cousins
Pallbearers:
Steve Cockrell, Mark Casteel, Patrick Duffy,
Daniel Berry, Robert Deskin & Billie Deskin
 
You may sign the online registry book at www.mangumfuneralhome.com
Services are under the direction of Mangum Funeral Home Center, Texas

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