In Memoriam

SPJST Endowed Scholarships

Members and lodges wishing to make a positive difference in the life of a young person and at the same time establish a lasting memorial may establish or contribute to an SPJST Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship may be established in your name or the name of the individual you wish to honor. SPJST Endowed Scholarships may be established starting at $10,000. By definition, an endowed scholarship is one in which the principle remains intact and only the interest is awarded each year. Once established, your scholarship will be managed by SPJST. Your endowment creates a permanent funding source that will grow over time and will support deserving students today and in the future.

In establishing an SPJST Endowed Scholarship, you have the opportunity to set the criteria for your SPJST Endowed Scholarship. For example, you may wish to direct your scholarship fund to reward high achievement students who are pursuing a specific field of study. Other criteria for you to consider are specific colleges or universities, areas of academic interest or extracurricular involvement, community service, or hometown. Please know that in establishing restrictive criteria, you will be limiting the pool of qualified recipients. Also, in accordance with IRS publication 526, located at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irspdf/p526.pdf, a donor may not select a specific individual as a beneficiary of their gift, i.e. scholarship recipients. SPJST Endowed Scholarships differ from others in that they are truly the gift that keeps giving.

An SPJST Endowed Scholarship is a perpetual gift because only the interest is applied towards the scholarship while the principle continuously grows. Endowed scholarships are a wonderful way to honor a loved one or link your legacy with the future.

The minimum gift needed to establish a named, endowed SPJST scholarship is $10,000. This amount can be paid all at once or in payments. Once the fund reaches the $20,000 amount, the scholarship will be awarded annually in the honoree’s name. Until $20,000 is reached, the interest gained is reinvested in the fund. At the primary donor’s request, an endowed scholarship will be awarded every other year, provided that the endowment balance totals at least $10,000.

There are many ways to fund an endowment, including gifts of cash, bequests, securities, life insurance, retirement assets, or properties.

If you have any questions about the information that I have presented or if you would like to proceed with the establishment of an SPJST Scholarship, please give me a call at 800-727-7578 and I will be happy to assist you. Fraternally, Brian Vanicek Supreme Lodge President —SPJST—

Legacy by d.knape To plant is tree it is believed marks your existence permanently

to give your heirs a growing tree means more than any property

the tree will last and outlive thee a life embodied by a tree

things nowadays move rapidly yet a tree persists in permanency

your progeny will honor thee beneath the shade of your own tree

things come and go but a growing tree leaves a lasting giftYour Legacy. —SPJST—

Autumn Leaves by d.knape Leaves fall in Fall appropriately but leave debris far as the eye can see

Leaves upon leaves like waves in the sea the more I rake the more there be

Their mess exceeds their dust excretes let the wind transport them across the street

Whisk them away wished fantasy else leaves become the death of me. —SPJST—

In Memoriam

Resolution of Sympathy We, the Resolution Committee of SPJST Lodge 17, New Tabor, on behalf of our entire membership, wish to express our deepest sympathy to the family of our departed sister, HELEN RUTH (FAUST) HILDEBRAND. Sister Hildebrand, age 80, of Caldwell, Texas, passed away Thursday, October 22, 2020. Helen was born May 20, 1940, in Caldwell to Emil C. and Milady (Trcalek) Faust. She started attending Union School then went to Cooks Point School. She attended Caldwell Helen Hildebrand High School where she graduated in May 1958. She was baptized and confirmed at the New Tabor Brethren Church by Reverend F.J. Kostohryz. She married Wilfred Hildebrand on October 26, 1958. She worked in Bryan at Woolworth then Perry Brothers in Caldwell. She also was a daycare provider for friends and family. She worked as a laboratory technician at Goodnight Memorial Hospital that later became Burleson County Hospital. She worked at Bryan Medical Lab beginning in 1987 which became CPL Laboratory of Austin in 1995. She retired from CPL in December 1997. She was a lifetime member of New Tabor Brethren Church and a member of New Tabor Christian Sisters and served as secretary and treasurer for many years. She served as a Sunday School teacher. She was a member of the New Tabor Brethren Cemetery Association, New Tabor Mutual Aid, and SPJST Lodge 17, New Tabor. She was a charter member of American Association of Bioanalysts and a member of the International Society for Clinical Laboratory Technology. Helen loved to garden and watch birds, butterflies, and hummingbirds. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play in the yard. She and Wilfred supported their grands by attending numerous games, banquets, and family functions. She loved to spend time in the kitchen and in the sewing room. She was preceded in death by husband Wilfred who passed away on September 1, 2020. They would have celebrated 62 years of marriage on October 26, 2020. She was also preceded in death by her parents; sisters Gladys Zavodny and Frances Urbanovsky; brother-in-law Leroy B. Zavodny, Sr.; and sister-in-law B. Faye Faust. She is survived by son David and wife Deborah Hildebrand; daughter Sheila and husband Bill Orsak; grandchildren Clayton and Amy Hildebrand, Mary Nowak, Josef Orsak, Colton Orsak and fiancée Taylor Adams; greatgrandchildren Tristan and Meggie Padia and Cort, Evan, and Emilee Hildebrand; brother Glenn Faust; sister Ethel Zavodny and friend Jack Worbington; brothers-in-law Franklin Zavodny and Alton Urbanovsky and wife Gail; aunt Marie Trcalek; godchildren Lori Suehs, Glenda Smith, and Mark Faust; and many loved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Public visitation was held at Phillips and Luckey in Caldwell on Saturday, October 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Sunday, October 25 at 1 p.m. at New Tabor Brethren Church Cemetery. Graveside service was held Sunday, October 25 at New Tabor Brethren Church Cemetery at 2 p.m., officiated by Reverend David Johnson. May our departed lodge sister rest in eternal peace. Resolution Committee Betty Suehs Susan Skrabanek —SPJST—

In Memory of Irene Pagel

Irene Helen, nee Sodek, Pagel of Temple, Texas, passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2020, at the age of 94.

Irene was born at home in Seaton to Ed and Clara, nee Bartek, Sodek on August 18, 1926. She graduated from Temple High School in 1944, and met her husband Preston Pagel while working at a shoe store in 1946. After a long and Irene Pagel happy courtship, the two wed on June 3, 1950, and were married for 51 years, until Preston’s passing in 2001. During their life together, they enjoyed dancing and traveling, journeying all over the world, including trips to Europe, Mexico, and many happy vacations in Hawaii. It was their dream to someday travel to Greece. Irene was a talented seamstress who created beautiful outfits for her daughters and spoiled her granddaughters with elaborate Barbie clothes. She also loved to cook, fish, and play bingo as often as possible.

Irene was an active community member her entire life. She was a member of SPJST Lodge 47, Seaton. She was also a member of First Lutheran Church for more than 70 years, where she volunteered as a Sunday School teacher and worked with the ladies quilting group. She was also a Doe in the Temple Benevolent and Patriotic Order of Elks Lodge 138, a member of American Legion Post 133, and Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Bell Post 1820, where she and Preston served as post commander and auxiliary president – the first couple to do so concurrently in the Post’s history. She was also honored as Mrs. VFW 2004. Irene spent many years working as an office clerk and secretary, first at Temple Trade School, then at Temple ISD in the child accounting department for 17 years. She then served as a secretary and administrative assistant to the business manager at Scott and White, retiring in 1987, after 16 years. She and Preston purchased Temple Floral Company in 1973 and ran a true family business with Preston and daughter Amy designing floral arrangements, while Irene kept the books and helped out on holidays with daughter Paula.

Irene is preceded in death by husband Preston Pagel; sister Martha Sodek; brother Edward “Sonny” Sodek; and sons-in-law Robert Faris and Charles “Buddy” Varner.

She is survived by daughters Paula Pagel Faris of Georgetown and Amy Devereaux (Robert) of Temple; stepgrandsons Robert “Gene” Faris (Jessica) of Fort Worth and Will Faris (Tiffany) of Brighton, Colorado; granddaughters Ashleigh Faris Cammack (Jonathan) of College Station and Katie Teague (Landon) of Alexandria, Virginia; and five step great-grandchildren.

Visitation was Sunday, November 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Scanio Harper Funeral Home in Temple. Service was held Monday, November 9 at 10 a.m. at Scanio Harper Funeral Home. Burial followed at Bellwood Memorial Park.

Memorials may be given to the charity of choice. —SPJST—

Resolution of Sympathy

We, the Resolution Committee of SPJST Lodge 17, New Tabor, on behalf of our entire membership, wish to express our deepest sympathy to the family of our departed brother, COLBERT DRGAC, who was called home to his Lord early Friday, September 18, 2020. Brother Drgac had attained the age of 96.

Brother Colbert H. Drgac was born in Caldwell, Texas, on April 4, 1924, to parents Franklin B. and Lydia (Schiller) Drgac. He was a graduate of Caldwell High Colbert Drgac School and enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1942. Colbert was an airplane and engine mechanic. He was stationed in the Asian Pacific theater and maintained planes for combat. After being honorably discharged in 1946 when he came back to Caldwell, he was married to the love of his life Dorothy V. Novosad on July 12, 1946. He worked at the Drgac Lumber yard he owned for several years while attending Texas A&M. Colbert graduated from Texas A&M College and went into banking after the lumber yard. He worked at First National Bank of Caldwell and was a Rotary member. Colbert was also mayor pro-tem, active with the volunteer fire department of Caldwell, American Legion 451, and a lifetime member of VFW Post 4458. Brother Colbert was a member of SPJST Lodge 17, New Tabor and enjoyed coming to the lodge and playing dominoes.

Colbert was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Dorothy V. Drgac; parents Frank B. and Lydia Drgac; and siblings Franklin J Drgac, Doris Cervenka, and Geraldine Siptak.

He is survived by son Jay C. Drgac of Caldwell; daughter Dani L. DeChiara and husband Terry of Taylor; grandchildren Ragina Polasek and husband James, Melissa Jaramillo and husband Isaac, Colbert J. Drgac, Erin Drgac and fiancée Erik Wharmby, and Leissa Drgac; great-grandchildren Teri Polasek, Christopher Polasek, Eduardo Jaramillo, Brittney Jaramillo, and Cambree White; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation was held Monday, September 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home. Funeral service was at the funeral home on Tuesday, September 22 at 2 p.m. Pastor Wayne Calder presided over the service. Burial with military honors followed at Caldwell Masonic Cemetery.

Memorials in memory of Colbert may be made to Encompass Hospice, 3600 Texas 6 Frontage Road No. 100, College Station, Texas 77845; Caldwell VFW Post 4458, 1644 TX-36, Caldwell, Texas 77836; or to a charity of your choice.

May our departed lodge brother rest in eternal peace. Resolution Committee Betty Suehs Susan Skrabanek —SPJST—

In Memory Laddie Rejcek

Laddie John Rejcek, 83, of Burleson passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020.

Visitation was Monday, November 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lucas and Blessing Funeral Home in Burleson with a rosary beginning at 5 p.m. Funeral service was at 11 a.m. on Laddie Rejcek Tuesday, November 17 at Lucas and Blessing Funeral Home. Burial followed at Burleson Memorial Cemetery.

Laddie was a devoted husband and father. He retired from Lockheed-Martin after more than 30 years of working as a machinist. He loved gardening, woodworking, and exploring on his computer. Laddie was a God-fearing, hardworking man, who was devoted to providing for his family.

He was a member of SPJST Lodge 180, Burleson.

He is survived by son James Rejcek and wife Judy; son Thomas Rejcek and wife Kari; daughter Beckie Hindman and husband Mark; sisters Millie Acrey and Leona Peterson; brother Harry Rejcek; and grandchildren Jeremy Rejcek and wife Katie, Justin Rejcek, Jon Rejcek, Luke Rejcek, Caley Hindman, and Addie Baldeschwiler and husband Derek; great-grandchildren Jeremiah Rejcek and Kaitlyn Rejcek; and several nieces and nephews. —SPJST—