Funeral service for Willis John Falk, 84, of Norfolk, will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the First United Methodist Church in Norfolk. Rev. Bridget Gately will be officiating the service. Burial will be at the Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Norfolk. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to service time at the First United Methodist Church. Military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 16, V.F.W. Post 1644, and the United States Army Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to The First United Methodist Church in Norfolk.
Willis died Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at the Heritage of Bel Air Nursing Home in Norfolk.
Stonacek Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Willis John Falk was born Nov. 30, 1941 in Hoskins to Carl and Elsie Galinat. Following his mother’s death soon after his birth, Nebraska Children’s Home placed him for adoption with Henry and Martha (Kropp) Falk of Hoskins. Willis attended District #78 through the eighth grade in Wayne County and entered Norfolk Senior High School, graduating in 1959.
In 1960 Willis joined the Nebraska National Guard and served until 1966. On Feb. 10, 1965 Willis married Janie Kay Bobek and was blessed with four children: Cindy (Richard) Doffin of Hoskins, Tammy (Alan) Neuhaus of Norfolk, Kevin (Kate) Falk of Hoskins, and Michelle (Mike) Hamilton of Abilene Kansas.
Willis farmed until 1985 when he began a career with Automatic Equipment Co - Blue OX of Pender, traveling to Distributors throughout the United States and Canada until retirement in 2006. On May 29, 1993 Willis married Carolyn Reeves in the Chapel at Stuhr Museum in Grand Island. They Lived in Battle Creek, Michigan, Salisbury, North Carolina, Salado, Texas, Lincoln, Nebraska and in 2012 moved to Norfolk to be closer to family.
Through the years Willis enjoyed wood working, manufacturing many different designs of step stools for all different uses and were shipped all through the United States. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Norfol,k being on the finance committee and ushering for many years, and he was also a member of the American Legion in Norfolk.
Left to mourn his passing are his four children Cindy, Tammy, Kevin and Michell; his sister, Lois Heller of Red Oak, Iowa; along with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Willis was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Falk in 2024; biological parents and adopted parents; brother, Leonard Galinat and one sister, Deloris Haase, and his step-brothers, Lyle Falk and Stanley Housel.
Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.
