Vincent John Hlavac of Columbia, KY, formerly of Chicago, IL, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Vince was born on September 21st, 1947 in Chicago to the late Vincent and Geraldine (Lowery) Hlavac.
Vince was a man of many words and enjoyed talking with every person he came across throughout jhis life. During many of these conversations, you would learn about Vince, his new bride of 44 years, Sherrie, and his kids. Vince would talk with others about his vast careers throughout his life from being a professional entertainer to owning a painting business to later in life being a salesman. Vince enjoyed talking about his animals, politics and the weather.
Vince loved to tell people about his time at Lake Shafer in Monticello. Vince owned a summer home6.3 miles east of the Indiana Beach Amusement Park. Vince lived his best life each weekend during the summer playing volleyball at the sandbar, midnight cruises, driving the boat, pulling his kids skiing or tubing, and enjoying time with his family and friends. Vince would fondly talk about all the wonderful memories he made with his young family so long ago.
Vince was an avid fisherman and spent many retirement years fishing local ponds and lakes around the Chicagoland area. Vince also liked to fish out of Lake Michigan.
Vince loved music and could play the piano by ear, and didn’t care to tell everyone that he never learned sheet music. Vince was the lead singer in a locally famous band in the Chicagoland area in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Vince enjoyed performing and entertaining others, and the family allowed his last performance in life to be just the way Vince wanted, surrounded by his family and at home with his cats.
Vince is preceded in death by his parents Vincent and Geraldine Hlavac, mother and father-in-law, Harry and Shirley Jenrich and a son-in-law John Keller.
Vince is survived by:
His new bride of 44 years: Sherrie Hlavac (Columbia, KY)
Siblings: Don Hlavac (Florida) and Mark (Cheryl) Hlavac (Illinois)
Children: Steven (Beth) Hlavac (Illinois), Sheri Keller (Indiana), Vince (Lori) Hlavac (Florida), and Heather (Joshua) Cox (Kentucky)
Grandchildren: Ashley Hlavac, Mandi Guerrero, Trevor Keller, Caitlin Keller, Steven Hlavac, Sammy Sneed, Nicholas Cox, and Peyton Hlavac.
Great grandchildren: Madden, Victor, Kiera, and Gemma
Special niece: Anne (Kurt) Brasch
Brother-in-law: Charles (Judy) Jenrich (Illinois)
Sister-in-law: Janet (Don) Metz (Illinois)
Vince also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Vince has chosen cremation with no service. The family will host a private bonfire memorial in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation to your local animal shelter be made in Vince’s honor.
“I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way” – Elvis Presley
