Adolph John "AJ" Horinek

Adolph John “A.J.” Horinek, 95, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2026, in Atwood, Kansas.

A.J. was born on March 23, 1931, in Atwood, to Adolph and Mary (Dozbaba) Horinek and was the fourth child in a family of six. He was baptized into the Catholic Church at St. Cyril & Methodius Church.

After attending the rural one-room schoolhouse, A.J. went to high school at St. Joseph Military Academy in Hays, Kansas. After graduation he enrolled in St. Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. After three years at St. Benedictine, he was drafted into the United States Army where he served two years in Inchon, South Korea as a radar Technician. A.J. was honorably discharged from the Army in 1954 and returned to St. Benedictine College where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics.

He was united in marriage to Marjorie Ann Pianalto on August 9, 1955, in Atwood at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. To this union seven children were born. A.J. was a member of St. Cyril & Methodius Parish and the Sacred Heart Parish in Atwood. He was active on the family farm raising cattle, hogs and several crops.

A.J. was a member of the Knights of Columbus, where he became a Grand Knight, he was instrumental in raising funds for a parking lot for the Knights of Columbus Hall. A.J. was also instrumental in the donation of the 10 Commandments Monument at Sacred Heart Church. A.J. raised and sold registered Hampshire hogs. He grew and sold certified seed wheat on his farm North of Atwood. After farming, A.J. worked at the Williams Funeral Home for several years.

Preceding his death were his parents, Adolph and Mary Horinek; sisters, Helen and husband Del Wenzl, Lucille and husband Ernie Stevens, and Stephanie and husband Andy Esposito: sister-in-law Joan Horinek, and brother-in-law John Burk.

A.J. is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marjorie Pianalto Horinek, sister Virginia Burk and brother Ernie Horinek. A.J. also leaves behind his seven children, Kenneth (Patty) Horinek, Keith (Lynda) Horinek, Cheryl Cox, Charlene (Ron) Kaus, Karen (Tony) Spurlock, Kelvin (Sheila) Horinek and Kristin Bohnenblust, 19 grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 15 step-great grandchildren.

A public viewing will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Atwood, on Sunday, June 14, 2026, from at 5:00-7:00 pm, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at the Sacred Heart Church in Atwood on June 15, 2026, at 10:00 with internment at Mount Calvary Cemetery. A lunch for family and friends to follow at the church basement. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made to the Atwood Knights of Columbus Council and mailed in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com