Paul Cernek

Paul Dean Cernek, 88, of Gratiot, died Thursday, January 5 at home in the presence of his loving family. His memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 14 at the Gratiot Community Center in Gratiot, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 13, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Gratiot Evangelical Free Church. Burial will be in the Gratiot ME Cemetery. Paul Dean Cernek was born January 13, 1934, to Paul and Florence Weaver Spencer Cernek in Lacrosse, Indiana. Paul spent his childhood years in Chesterton, Indiana where his parents instilled in him a love for God and farming. At age 16, Paul, known as Dean, went forward with his dad during an altar call and committed his life to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. After high school he attended Moody Bible Institute for one year. He then married his high school sweet heart Janey, and together they raised eight children: Stephen (Shelia); Dean (Kris); Peter (Deb); Kevin (Cindy); John (Gloria); Scott (Cathy); Benjamin (Jessica); and Robyn Wetzel (Scott). Dean and Jane have a legacy of 31 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren with twins expected to arrive in August. From an early age Dean loved farming. He first started in high school when he and his dad purchased a 1949 Ford 8N tractor with all the attachments. They plowed and planted every small patch of land they could find. After getting married, he and Janey traveled to South Carolina and Georgia where Dean served in the United States Army for two years. Upon returning to Indiana, they bought out a generous and helpful farmer friend's line of equipment for $3000 and began a life of farming and raising their soon-to-be eight children. They both were committed to the Lord and laid a Biblical foundation under the lives of all their children. Remembering their honeymoon in Wisconsin, In 1972 they realized their life-long dream of purchasing a dairy farm in that beautiful state and have resided there ever since. They invested their lives in serving God through Gratiot Evangelical Free Church where God's Word has been faithfully taught and nurtured in the lives of those in their community for almost 50 years. God has blessed Dean beyond what words can describe. Dean and Jane's house has always been a hub of activity with their children, grandchildren and great grands coming and going continuously. There is always a warm meal on the table, a fire in the wood stove, and laughter and love abundant is experienced by all. Dean and Jane invested their lives in many others outside the family as well. Everyone was welcome and wanted whether family or stranger. If you came hungry, you left full. If you came searching, you left with the message of God's love and hope and a way to peace with Him if you would give Him your heart. Dean and Jane were committed for a number of years to a Christian organization called "The Voice of the Martyrs" where they traveled extensively throughout the Midwest presenting the need for prayer and intervention on the part of Christians being persecuted around the world. At age 78, Dean adventured to South America, where he distributed Bibles and Christian literature. He also traveled to Romania doing mission work with the Fellowship of Christian Farmers Organization. Other than buying his own dairy farm and paying the mortgage off early, raising eight children and entertaining and influencing 91 grandchildren and great-grands, that's about as exciting as his life got! Dean is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jane; his seven sons and daughter and their spouses, his grandchildren and great-grands, and countless others who became part of the family over his lifetime through friendship and love. He is also survived by his sister, Phyllis from Cody, Wyoming and her four children. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and one sister, his close brother in law Gene Borman, his granddaughter Staci, and great-grandson, Christian. God poured out His blessings on our Dad and he never ceased to humbly give thanks to His loving Creator who gave him meaning and purpose each and every day of his earthly life. Now he is rejoicing with the angels in glory! A visitation will take place at Gratiot Evangelical Free Church from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Friday, January 13, 2023. A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at the Gratiot Community Center in Gratiot, Wisconsin. A visitation will also be held Saturday, January 14, 2023 from 10:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. at the Gratiot Community Center. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington, Wisconsin is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Dean's name. "In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect," (1 Peter 3:15). Rest in peace Dad. We love you.