Army Veteran Giles Thielk Boxed at Madison Square Garden, Worked for Michigan Bell

Giles Carl Thielk, age 95, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2019 at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.

He was born October 24, 1923 in Ann Arbor, MI, the son of Carl and Laurene (White) Thielk.  He moved with family briefly to Portage, Michigan in 1935, and back again in 1938.  Giles enjoyed boxing and at the age of 16 entered an amateur boxing event in Ann Arbor at the Armory.  He went to fight in the Golden Gloves at Madison Square Gardens (New York City) as a feather-weight. In 1943 Giles joined the United States Army during WWII and served state side with an honorable discharge in 1946.  

On August 31, 1946 Giles started working for Michigan Bell Telephone Company, first as a lineman and later as a cable repairman.  He retired in June 1983. Giles enjoyed hunting and owning dogs.  He always had a tall story to share about his hunting exploits with friends.

Giles married Gloria Joyce Cole in Marshall, Michigan and she preceded him in death on November 26, 1998.

Survivors include their daughter Cynthia C. (Thielk) Telfer, grandaughter Lauren Ashley (Zach) Grulke, great-granddaughter Molly Ann Grulkey, and sister Carolyn Phillips. He was preceded in death by siblings Virginia Hedlesky and Richard Thielk. At Giles request cremation has taken place and no funeral service will be held.  However, the family will hold a gathering for friends later in the year to share “Giles stories” and fondly recall the man they knew. To leave a memory you of Giles, to sign his guestbook, or for more information please visitwww.rbfhsaline.com.  

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