Vincent John Hlavac, 77, of Columbia (formerly of Chicago, IL) passed away Saturday, March 1, 2025 at his home. He was born on September 21, 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 his 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 home 6.3 miles east of the Indiana Beach Amusement Park. He 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. He 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 was preceded in death by his parents: Vincent & Geraldine Hlavac; his mother & father-in-law: Harry & Shirley Jenrich; and a son-in-law, John Keller.
Survivors include his wife: Sherrie Hlavac of Columbia; four children, Steven (Beth) Hlavac of Illinois, Sheri Keller of Indiana, Vince (Lori) Hlavac of Florida, and Heather (Joshua) Cox of Kentucky; two brothers, Don Hlavac of Florida and Mark (Cheryl) Hlavac of Illinois; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
L.R. Petty Funeral Home in Campbellsville is in charge of arrangements.
