Mr. Richard George Jelonek, Jr. of Dyersburg, passed away Sunday, May 19, 2024 at West TN Healthcare-Jackson General Hospital.  Richard was born May 11, 1946 in Chicago, IL to the late Richard and Dorothy Jelonek, Sr.

Richard worked throughout his life for the United States Postal Service as a route carrier. After his retirement from the Postal Service, he was a school bus driver for Dyer County Schools. In his free time, he enjoyed the outdoors, camping, and traveling. He loved watching sports, especially basketball. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, Bulls, and Bears. His love of dogs was profound. Richard was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church in Dyersburg, TN.

He is survived by, his son Ricky Jelonek and wife, Heather, his daughters, Tiffany Rice & husband, Chad, Sara Cravens and husband, Roger, his son-in-law, Tim Neville, a brother, Tom Jelonek and a sister, Connie Schueller.  He was greatly loved as "Poppa" by his 13 grandchildren, Judy Kate, Jonathan, Chloe, Hannah, Nathan, Matthew, Evan, Lily, Taylor, Emme, Collin, Hutson and Lawson and his great-grandchildren, Olivia and Eli.  He is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Beverly Ballard Jelonek, his daughter, Jennifer Jelonek Neville, and his parents.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Angels Catholic Church on Thursday, May 30 at 10:00 a.m.

Dyersburg Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Richard Jelonek. Online condolences can be made to the family at dyersburgfuneralhome.net