Stanley Vicent Wanek

Stanley Vincent “Stan” Wanek, Jr. passed away on May 4, 2026. He was born on April 11, 1941 in South Chicago with 5 siblings. After graduating from high school, he started as a mail carrier with the post office. After a number of years, Stan joined the Air Force as a mechanic at McGuire Air Force Base in Trenton, New Jersey. With an honorable discharge from his service and experience with the post office, he transferred to Florida to attend Florida State University. He continued working for the post office through his education and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business.

Stan was urged by superiors to take the test required for U.S. Postal Inspectors. The cut-off age was 35 years old. He passed the test and received his acceptance letter on his 35th birthday. Stan was the oldest recruit that year and the best in physical fitness! He graduated from Bethesda, Maryland in August and transferred to Cleveland that summer. He also attended Ashland University for his Masters.

While working in the postal system, on weekends at home, he designed, patented and built stamp clocks for the many post offices around the country to give as gifts to retiring employees. Stan loved hiking and skiing in Vermont and Europe. He also enjoyed learning French.

Stan was preceded in death by his parents and his five siblings; Dolores, Jimmy, Alice, Eddie and Rob. He is survived by a devoted daughter, Amy Cathleen Leighley; a great son-in-law, Mark Leighley; and a precious granddaughter, Sophia Marie. Stan is also survived by his long-time partner, Trudi Laut.

Stan will be laid to rest with military honors in a private service at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio.