Milo Otto Navratil was born Sept. 7, 1925, near Loma to Alois and Mary (Holchapek) Navratil and passed away March 18, 2018, in Lincoln at the age of 92 years, 6 months and 11 days. Milo grew up in the Loma area, where he attended grade school. He moved to David City, where he attended and graduated from David City High School with the class of 1944. He received his draft notice before he graduated and was inducted into the United States Marine Corps on June 27, 1944. He served in Okinawa, Japan, and during the Occupation of China during 1945 and 1946. Milo was honorably discharged on Aug. 21, 1946. 

Upon his return he attended Midland College, where he received his teaching degree. On May 17, 1949, Milo was united in marriage to Deloris Petrzilka at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Loma. Milo taught grade school in Bee for 44 years and served as the softball, basketball, track and football coach. He was passionate about fast pitch softball and also was the men’s softball coach. Milo was inducted into the Nebraska Softball Hall of Fame in 1995. He traveled with the KLMS Polka Band, with which he played the saxophone for many years. He was an area supervisor for the J.C. Robinson Seed Company for more than 30 years. 

Milo was an officer for the Bee Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He was a longtime member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, where he served as a lector for more than 50 years. In 2004, Milo received the Omaha World-Herald “My Favorite Teacher Award.” Milo was more than a teacher, coach and mentor; he was a father figure to many.

Milo was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Ernest Navratil, Joe Navratil, Mary Bartek, Margaret Kriz and Father Edmund Navratil; sisters-in-law, Marcy Svoboda, Adeline Geiger, and Leona Petrzilka; and brother-in-law, Walt Geiger.

Milo is survived by his wife of 68 years, Deloris of Seward; sons, Ken and wife Deb Navratil of Tilden and Mark and wife Jody Navratil of Lincoln; six grandchildren, Tony and wife Kyra Navratil of Lincoln, Matt and wife Molly Navratil of Tilden and Drew, Dylan, Mackenzy and Mitchell Navratil of Lincoln; seven great-grandchildren, Alivia, Will, Sophia and Bennett, all of Lincoln, and Milo, Leo and Baby Boy Navratil of Tilden; brothers-in-law, Joe Petrzilka of Lincoln and Rudy Svoboda of David City; and many nieces and nephews.

A rosary service was held March 23, 2018, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, March 24, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward, with the Rev. Brendan Kelly and the Rev. Charles Townsend as celebrants. A graveside service and interment were in St. Luke’s Cemetery near Brainard, with military honors by the United States Marine Corps and the Brainard American Legion Rejda Post 273. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Navratil family for future designation. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.

Originally published in the Seward County Independent on March 18, 2018.