Sylvester Anthony ("Silver") Ostrowski, 86, rural Iola, passed away Friday morning, November 13, 2015, at Ministry-St. Michael's Hospital after being stricken at home.

Sylvester was born December 31, 1928, in Portage County, a son of the late Frank and Pauline (Rekowski) Ostrowski, the tenth of 15 siblings. He attended local one-room country schools and worked on the family farm until he left to serve in the military. He was proud of his time in the U.S. Army from January 9, 1953, to December 21, 1954 as a radio operator, during which he completed his high school education, was stationed in Germany and was awarded Army of Occupation and National Defense medals. After spending some time in California, he completed the electronics program at DeVry Institute in Chicago and worked for a number of companies in the Chicago area. He then returned to the Iola area to operate the family farm until he retired due to disability.

A severe accident had contributed to lingering health problems throughout the rest of his life.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Silver will be held on Monday November 16, 2015 at 11:00 AM at St. Adalbert's Church, Rosholt. The Rev. Marcin Mankowski will celebrate the Mass. Burial will follow at the parish cemetery with full military honors. Family and friends may call from 10:00 AM at St. Adalbert's Church until the time for the Funeral Mass. A memorial in lieu of flowers will be established in Silver's name at a later date.

Survivors include: sisters Valerie Thompson and Theresa Dryszel; brothers Dennis (Kathleen) Ostrowski and Frank (Kathryn) Ostrowski; and also sisters-in-law: Carol Ostrowski and Lucy Ostrowski. He is further survived by 36 nieces and nephews, and a large extended family that numbered over 90 first cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings and their spouses: Anna (Stanley) Pochinski, Mary (Edward) Nitka, Martha (Edward) Jazdzinski, Aloys, Nickolas, Regina (Joseph) Wojtalewicz, Irene (Walter) Korpalski, Henry (Stella), Edward Dryzel, Felix, Richard Thompson and Raymond.

The family of Sylvester wishes to thank the Iola EMTs; and the ICU staff, Spiritual Services and Fr. Dennis Lynch, and the Wound Care Center staff at Ministry-St. Michael's Hospital for their dedicated attention to his care and to Shuda Funeral Home for helping with his final arrangements.

Published in Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune on Nov. 15, 2015