WOOSTER Jack L. Sleek, 86, of Wooster passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at Ohio s Hospice LifeCare in Wooster.
Jack was born July 27, 1935 in Zanesville the son of Roy and Hazel Hale Sleek. He married Dianne C. Decker on June 25, 1960. She survives.
Jack was a 1953 graduate of Zanesville High School and a 1957 graduate of Ohio University. He had taught school in Maysville, Coshocton and Mt. Vernon before becoming a Principal for Wooster City Schools in 1969 and retired as the Principal of Edgewood Junior High in 1992. He was also the former owner of the Shreve Dairy Bar.
He was a 50-year member of the Wooster United Methodist Church where he had served on several committees. Jack was Past President and over 50-year member of the Wooster Noon Lions, past Board member and long-time volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. He had also coached his sons for Wooster Youth Baseball for several years.
Jack enjoyed traveling, reading, golfing, watching baseball, especially the Cleveland Indians, walking, taking his many vacations to Hilton Head Island and his morning coffee groups. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Dianne, are his sons Scott (Jiwon Kim) Sleek of Silver Spring, MD, Andy (Barbara) Sleek of Waterford, OH, Matt (Pam) Sleek of Leroy, OH, Mitch (Nicole) Sleek of Wooster; grandchildren Mathew (Kaleigh) Hallahan, Phillip Hallahan, Ryan Sleek, Elizabeth Sleek, Sydney (Kevin) White, Olivia (Logan Ickes) Sleek, Nathan Sleek, Colby Sleek, Catie Sleek, Hayley Sleek and Decker Sleek.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends will be received at the McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 from 6-8:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jim Cooper officiating. Burial will be held at a later date.
Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Habitat for Humanity, 2700 Akron Road, Wooster, OH 44691 or Ohio s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 or to the Wooster United Methodist Church, 243 N. Market St., Wooster, OH 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
Memorial Contributions
Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Habitat for Humanity, 2700 Akron Road, Wooster, OH 44691 or Ohio s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 or to the Wooster United Methodist Church, 243 N. Market St., Wooster, OH 44691.
Service
Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home
Visitation
Wednesday, May 4, 2022 from 6-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home
My deepest and most sincere condolences. I will always remember Mr. Sleek as someone who had kind words and patience for me during those crazy middle school years when I needed it the most. Prayers and thoughts are with both family and friends.
To Mitch and the entire Sleek family, my deepest condolences,sad to see he has passed
Mr.Sleek was a tough but fair principle at Edgwood. Prayers for all of you.
Thinking of the family and sending condolences. Jack was always smiling and positive. May your memories be a blessing.
I send my love to the entire family. A fine man, an important person in so many lives. Really sorry for him passing!
What a loss! A great man who had a good heart for others! Hugs and prayers for those who love him!
My sincere Condolences to the family of Jack Sleek. My thoughts and prayers to all.
Sending deepest sympathy and condolences to Diane and the entire Sleek family during this difficult time. May you find strength in all the happy memories the family shared together with Jack.
Mr Sleek was larger than life to me. I entered seventh grade and worked a study hall in the office. Mr Sleek had a reputation for being a tough principal so I was an intimidated 13 year old and he could tell. Honestly he was always very kind to me and I remember spending time talking sports with him. My deepest condolences to his family. He will be missed.
Condolences to Jack’s family
Jack was possible the most quick-witted and funny man I’ve ever known. He was a joy to be around at Lions Club and was a relentless servant to the Wooster community. Praying for Diane and the entire Sleek family. Your husband, father, and grandfather left you a great heritage!
Teachers touch the future. They never know where their influence stops. Thanks for dedicating your life to education, Jack.
To Mitch and the Sleek family, my heart goes out to you along with prayers. Mr. Sleek was an amazing man, friend and principal. He will be missed deeply.
I was a Wooster High School student during Mr Sleeks time there. He was tough, fair and he loved kids passionately. Those ice- blue eyes pierced right through all the shenanigans that we tried to pull. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Mr Sleek.
Thank you for your strong, positive influence to so many of us.
Thought and prayers for you and your family Mitch.
Our prayers to you Diane, Mitch and the entire Family. saddened to hear of Jack’s passing. A great person. RIP..
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing Mitch. Prayers for you and your family.
We are so sorry to hear this. Jack did so much for our church. Condolences to the entire family.
Please accept my sincere condolences. What a wonderful family man and educator.
Heaven gained the best of the best. From Jack’s dedication to education, bringing out the best in people, compassion in serving others, his amazing family and wicked keen sense of humor Jack was the ultimate package. Goodbyes are never easy, but what a legacy he has left on this earth- including all the stories and jokes he told. My love and hugs to all, especially you Dianne.
My condolences to Dianne and the entire Sleek family. Jack welcomed me to Edgewood when I was in the early years of my teaching career. He stood beside me and defended me when I faced the challenges of teaching middle school (junior high back then!). After my 32+ years at Edgewood and now retired, I look back on his kindness, sense of humor and genuine “love of the job” with the greatest respect and admiration.
Sorry for your loss. So glad he came to Wooster so many years ago.
Sending our Deepest Sympathy to All of Jacks Family. Keeping YOU ALL in our thoughts and prayers.
Sorry for your loss. May GOD rest his soul, and comfort you at this time of sorrow. He left me many fond memories at Wooster High School. Prayers for all his friends and family. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Well done Jack. Well done…⚘️⚘️⚘️
Prayers for the familys
You and your family is in our thoughts and prayers
How sad I am to hear of Mr. Sleek’s passing. I have so much respect for him. He set the bar high in his expectations of all of us when we were young. Yet he was never hesitant to help each of us along the way. I will always remember him fondly.
WeI will never forget the many trips to Nehemiah mission in Cleveland and the endless stories and the wealth of knowledge Jack gave us. He was an asset to the church and we will miss home dearly. Prayers to Dianne
WeI will never forget the many trips to Nehemiah mission in Cleveland and the endless stories and the wealth of knowledge Jack gave us. He was an asset to the church and we will miss home dearly. Prayers to Dianne
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers
My sincere condolences to the Sleek family. Jack’s quick wit and sense of humor will always remain in my memory of him. I served on a couple of committees with him at church and saw how he could use his humor in such a positive way and still get his point across. He will be so missed by so many.
So sorry for your loss!
You all are such Wonderful People which is a direct reflection of your Father’s Influence and his love to all of you.
Many Prayers to you all
Tammy Taylor
Our sincere sympathies to the entire Sleek family. I always loved seeing him. He will be missed by many. Prayers of comfort.
Jack was a great man and leader. He touched many lives. Deepest sympathy to your family.
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad Scott my condolences to you and your whole family.
Mitch, sending healing prayers and thoughts to you and your family. He was a good man.
Mitch, you are in my thoughts and prayers. You’re Father was a great man and taught me many things! God Bless!
Jack was one of the principals who interviewed me for a teaching position back in the early 1980’s and as a brand new young teacher, I was very fortunate to have Jack’s kindness and wonderful leadership to support and guide me. I will always remember Jack as a gentleman and a person with tremendous integrity and care. I have many good memories of those times. May you Rest In Peace dear soul. And many prayers for Diane and all of your dear family.
So sorry for your loss. May GOD rest his soul. He gave me alot of good memories at Wooster High. May GOD comfort you at this time. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Well done Jack, well done…
Dianne, Scott, Andy, Matt and Mitch,
My condolences on the passing of Jack. May the memories comfort all of you at this difficult time.
The Beckler’s.
So very sorry to hear about this. Mr. Sleek was a fantastic principal. Prayers to the family!
Dear Mitch and the entire Sleek family~
May God bless all of you with sunshine and many happy memories of your dad/grandpa and dear husband Mrs. Sleek. I will always remember him fondly as a firm, but fair, princiPAL. He was never too busy to personally “man the front office” at Edgewood to address any issues that sent us to the office, be it a good or bad thing! He was always there in the mornings to make sure we didn’t give the bus drivers any grief, saw us safely on the bus in the afternoons and was even still working when we had band sectionals and were there late at school. His legacy lives on in all of you! God speed as you say your earthly goodbyes the next several days. I have a feeling none of you will be out of his sight and I’m sure he’ll be organizing heaven to his high standars!
To the Sleek family who were our neighbors for many many years …..are thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. The Pasquariello family
so sorry to hear of your loss………Jack was a strong leader at both Wooster High School and Edgewood Jr. High. He will be missed.
Dear Mitch, Dianne, Scott, Andy, and Matt,
Our heartfelt sympathy to you and his entire family. A life well lived on behalf of others leaves such a gaping hole. May you find ways to fill it will happy memories and some of the witty “Sleekerisms” he was so know for. I think of Jack with so many smiles and fond memories as he was the best principal and mentor a young brash teacher like me could want and I later had the pleasure and privilege of being his assistant for so many years, too, at Edgewood. One of his sayings always resonated with me, helping me to keep it together as a longterm administrator “Well, we must be doing something right, because the right people are mad at us.” There were so many of these! He made a second career out of Habitat and his work there was a window into his good naturedness and warm heart. He will be missed and fondly remembered. What a beautiful life lived! His character has been an example for all of us.
In sympathy, Steve and JoAnn Griffin
p.s. With heartfelt regret, we will be unable to attend the services on the 4th or 5th.
Comforting sympathy to Dianne in your loss. I know how difficult it is and send my sincere caring to you as well as all the family members.
So sorry about your loss. You are in our prayers
With deepest sympathy to the Sleek family. Mr. Sleek was a wonderful man who put his “all” into everything he did. May the warm and special memories give you comfort and peace
Heartfelt condolences to Andy and family.
A life well-lived, the world is better for him! My heart goes out to the entire Sleek family. I remember Principal Sleek as being strict, and yet approachable. He was present and involved. My prayers are with you all and I hope that your memories bring you comfort.
Mitch, we were very sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Our prayers are with you and your family.
What a wonderful man.Mr. Sleek was the principal at Edgewood when I was there. I was an office aid both yrs and I was scared to death of him. Many years later, I had the great pleasure of getting to know him again, as him and Dianne became regulars at our restaurant, the shack. May his family find comfort in knowing that he has reached his final reward in heaven. RIP MR. SLEEK
Mitch & Family:
Sincerest condolences on the passing of a very special Educator who touched many lives! May he rest in peace!
Tom Lavelle & Family
I will always remember Jack with a smile. He had a one liner for every situation and delivered them as well as anyone I’ve ever heard. I was always impressed by how well he could remember students from 30-40 years ago and it seemed like he had a story to tell about each one. His time in education and with Habitat gave him the opportunity to touch many lives and make a huge difference in our community. He is a great example of a life well lived.
My most profound sympathies to Jack’s family. While we were both educators in Wooster, our paths never crossed in a professional setting. However, his legacy was fondly remembered by many teachers once I’d matriculated to Edgewood after his retirement. Later, through working on several projects for Habitat for Humanity, Jack taught me the value of giving back to our community. Wooster has lost a highly respected and valued citizen.
It was my great good fortune to get to know Jack as we built houses together for Habitat for Humanity. Jack was so welcoming, instructive,and friendly right from the start. He was certainly one of the reasons I have stuck with it for 16 years. We all enjoyed his quick wit and delightful storytelling. Wooster has lost a pillar of the community. He certainly touched so many of our lives. He will be remembered with fondness.
Our sympathy to Mitch, Dianne, all the Sleek family. Deb (Miller), Doug, Dean Tegtmeier, Sandy (Tegtmeier) Behlau, Terry Miller.
Dear Diane and family,
We are very sorry for your loss. Jack was a good principal and teacher and a good friend. Those blue eyes were a trademark along with that slightly ornery smile…and all the orneriness that went with it! We are holding you all in our prayers as you mourn your loss.
Linda and Dave
Sending sincere sympathy to the entire Sleek family with the loss of Jack. I always appreciated his great sense of humor, his kindnesses to all,
and being a role model in how he lived his life. He was a one in a million person. I feel very lucky to have known Jack!
Thought and prayers for you all
The Sleek family is included in our thoughts and prayers. We are sorry for your loss.
So very sorry to hear of the passing of you Dad. Our prayers are with you Mitch and your family . God bless and keep your Dad in God’s love and care
I’m so sorry for you loss.. I remember his laugh and chuckles.
My sincerest condolences on the loss of your Dad. I pray you find comfort and peace in all your good memories.
Sending prayers for your family Mitch!
My thoughts are with your family at this sad time. Mitch, your father sounded like a wonderful man and he will be missed by so many but the good memories will live on forever
Dianne and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. Sara and I are out of town, so unfortunately we will not get to calling hours or Jack’s Funeral. I really enjoy Jack over the years, when we worked together at Wooster City Schools.
God Bless.
Bill & Sara Sturgeon
Jack was one of a kind. I will miss his great one liners at breakfast. He seemed to have one for every situation! He was a good man who touched many lives including mine.
He will be missed. My condolences to the family.
Sending love ❤️ to the entire Family!
Our deepth sympathy and prayer are with you. We are praying that God in the days ahead will comfort you and heal your heart. He was an excellent Principle during the time my children were in school. Thank you Mr Sleek your excellent in leadership.
The Smith Family!
Mitch. You and your family have our deepest sympathy.
May you find comfort in that fact that your Husband or father was a true leader and community friend. Wooster has lost a a great advocate.
Thinking of the family and prayers for good memories and strength at this time.
Dear Diane, Mitch and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Jack was a wonderful educator, community member, friend and mentor to many. Your beautiful family is a testament to his influence. You all are in our prayers. Ed and Carol McKiernan
Deepest sympathy Dianne.
I am thinking of you.
I know it’s a little late,but God Bless his soul. He was my favorite principal and I worked for him from1984-1990. A very decent human being for sure.
Best algebra teacher ever.