Bernard “Bud” Jilka ‘43
Bud served in the Army in World War II and graduation from Kansas State in Business Administration, Bud attended and received his teaching certification from Emporia State Teachers’ College. He then returned to Sacred Heart high school where he taught bookkeeping, as it was then called, and served as the school’s Band and Choir Director from 1950-1952. Later he would send his kids to Sacred Heart serving on the School Board from the mid 1970s through the mid 1980s.
Bud was an important business man in downtown Salina. As the owner of Jilka’s Furniture he contributed to the success and future of the downtown development. He also showed special compassion throughout his life for victims of alcohol and drug abuse. At Jilka Furniture from 1957-2015 he hired numerous individuals in recovery. Some stayed sober and others didn’t. But when an experience with one person didn’t work out that never stopped him from giving another a chance.
His philanthropy at the school was quiet and extensive over decades and included funding purchases of band instruments, paying for transportation costs to out-of-town school events, and putting in a new sidewalk on the southeast side of the school. He was willing to help financially because he strongly believed in the school’s mission.
By his service to the Church, his family and wider community during and after graduation he lived out the school’s ideals of a life rooted in the Catholic faith in a manner worthy of his induction to the Knight’s Hall of Fame.