Joseph John Vopalensky was born January 29, 1887 in the village of Dusejov, Bohemia, now the Czech Republic. He had an older sister, whose name is not known, that died at the age of 8 in Czech. He traveled to America with his parents Jan and Josefa, and younger brother Frank. The family lived in Milwaukee, WI. Joseph married Mary Piemeisel on September 30, 1913.

1. Joseph's first Communion, circa 1895. 2. Joseph and Mary's wedding picture, 1913.

They had 7 children:

Caroline (b. July 16, 1907, d. August 26, 1996)

James Joseph (b. August 23, 1914, d. April 25, 1996)

Carla Hedwig (b. December 3, 1915, d. December 30, 1997)

Chester John (b. November 21, 1917; d. October 25, 1998.)

Lorraine Mary (b. August 14, 1919)

Florian Frank (b. November 29, 1921, d. November 1, 1973)

Margaret Marian (b. May 11, 1924)

Stories and facts about the family

Most of the Vopal men were the members of the family who shortened the name from Vopalensky to Vopal. Margaret is the only living descendant of Jan Vopalensky that didn't shorten her last name to Vopal. She never married. The other daughters, Clara and Lorraine, also didn't shorten thier name to Vopal, but did get married, thus, changing thier last names.

James also tried to research the Vopalensky family with his cousin, Elmer. (Son of Frank Vopal). Clara also tried to research the family and recieved information from her Aunt Hattie Vopal, Elmer's mother. All of them went at different times to the family history center in Hales Corners but were unsuccessful at gathering more information.

While Caroline was raised by Joseph Vopalensky, her biological father was Barney Fischer, who was Mary's first husband. He died in 1913.

Joseph worked as a tailor, like his father, for a time. Later, he worked as a security guard; and recieved a "Certificate of Meritorious Conduct." It states:
"This is to Certify that Joseph J Vopalensky has faithfully served as an Auxiliary to the Military Police of the Army of the United States at Davis & Thompson Machine Company, West Allis, Wisconsin, from December 7, 1942, to March 13, 1944, and that his services are hereby honorably terminated. For the commanding General, Sixth Service Command.
Dated March 13, 1944."

Jospeh and Mary with attendants Frank Vopalensky and Hedwig Mantel, who were also later married. Cira 1913.

The set is courtesy of

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