In Memoriam

In Memory of Mary Hosek

In the late 1960s, Mary went to work at Joske’s Department Store and was employed there until her retirement at age 70. She was very active in her church and

Mary Emilie Mikeska Hosek passed routinely assisted many people who wereaway on Monday, January 18, 2021, of natural causes at the age of 104 at the home of her daughter in California. Funeral service and burial were held at Brookside Funeral Home and Memoelderly and had no family to help them. She instilled a strong work ethic in her children and principles of service to others over convenience to self. After health problems in the late 1990s, Mary alternated living with each of her chilrial Park in Hous- dren. During the past 10 years or so, she ton, Texas, on has lived in California with her daughter. Thursday, March Although she had significant physical 18. challenges toward the end, she loved

Mary was born traveling and enjoyed many wonderful September 7, 1916, road trips with her children. She loved in Seaton, Texas, to Mary Hosek the California coast and had many pleasAnton and Mary urable vacations with beautiful scenery, (Chaloupka) Mikeska. She had two including the majestic redwoods in sisters, Anne Mikeska Hamusek and Ella northern California and camping in the Mikeska Hartwig. After graduation from Grand Canyon into her mid-90s. Temple High School in 1934, her family Mary was a member of SPJST Lodge moved to Houston for better work oppor- 88, Houston. tunities during the depression. She at- She was predeceased by her parents; tended Massey Business College in both of her sisters and their spouses; and Houston and worked in secretarial posi- niece Carolyn Elsik Burr of Manchester, tions at an insurance company and then, Missouri. for many years, at the Federal Land She is survived by daughter Nancy Bank. In 1950, she married Elvin Lynn Hosek of Loma Linda, California; Thomas Hosek. Their families both lived son David Thomas Hosek and wife Valin the Houston Heights and participated erie of Houston; niece Carole Hamusek in numerous Lodge 88, Houston activ- Lindner and family of Glendale, Califorities. As a young man, her father Anton nia; nephew Dr. Ronald C. Hartwig and Mikeska was past president of Lodge 47, family of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Seaton and Elvin’s father Tom Hosek and niece Denise Jamail Jamieson and was president of Lodge 88, Houston sev- family of The Woodlands, Texas. eral times. His family also participated in —SPJST— the Hlahol Dramatic Club productions over many years.

Elvin, his father Tom, and several of his sisters operated Hosek Food Market in the Heights over several years. After marrying Elvin, Mary assisted her husband in operating the business during the 1950s and early 1960s. Elvin was killed in a car accident in 1965. Mary and Elvin had two children, Nancy Lynn in 1951 and David Thomas in 1957. Both children attended Love Elementary School in Houston, and Mary was very invested in school activities. She was a room mother for each of the children and participated in PTA activities at the school. Mary was always very involved in her children’s lives and extracurricular activities.

In Memory of Rome Milan

was known internationally for his collection. While attending the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, he was recognized often while proudly wearing patriotic

Rome Milan passed away Friday, shirts and waving a large American flagApril 23, 2021, after a three-year battle at events. He had a knack for being in thewith ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease. His perfect spot to show up on camera duringgymnastics-filled life began as a young television coverage. His many TV sightgymnast competing for Sokol Fort ings prompted NBC to challenge viewersWorth, then Euless to “find this man every day” on one of itsTrinity High Olympic broadcasts.School, followed Rome was an established impressionby being the cap- ist artist whose artwork was representedtain of the gymnas- in several art galleries across the country.tics team at his Many knew him as the artist that wouldbeloved University paint in the window at Milan Gallery inof Texas in Austin. Sundance Square, always wearing one of

After gradu- his many crazy hats and listening to Theating, he started his high school coachRome Milan Beatles. A surprise performance was held ining career at Rome’s honor on Sunday, April 18 atWeatherford High School then Boswell Sokol Fort Worth by a group of formerHigh School. During those years, his gymnasts, friends, and family members.teams qualified for the state champion- A special routine was choreographed forship 14 out of 18 years. After a break him with songs from The Beatles. Hefrom coaching, he returned to finish his watched the routine and saw manycoaching career for the Birdville School friends and family who were there toDistrict until his diagnosis with ALS. show their support.

In addition to competing and coach- Rome was preceded in death by infanting, Rome was also an international daughter Matisse Milan. gymnastics judge and held numerous po- He is survived by wife Pauline; chilsitions at state, national, and international dren Paris, Sydney, and Athens; stepsoncompetitions including the Pan American Matthew David and Caity Gregory; parGames, Goodwill Games, World Cham- ents Jerry and Henrietta Milan; brotherpionships, and Olympic Games. He and travel companion Tal and wife Lesli;served on the USA Gymnastics Board of and special Czech sister Vera Janeba.Directors and Advisory Council, the Rome leaves behind a huge family ofGymnastics Association of Texas Board, “favorite” cousins. and the Texas High School Hall of Fame Rome was truly one-of-a-kind. His inCommittee. As an avid gymnastic histo- fectious enthusiasm touched the lives of rian, he curated a vast collection of vin- so many people in ways far greater thantage memorabilia which he loved to gymnastics or painting. Many, many willshare and display. feel his loss.

He was a lifetime member of Sokol Remember Rome – A Tribute to Fort Worth and SPJST Lodge 154, Fort Rome Milan will be held on Sunday,Worth. He filled many positions includ- May 16 at 4 p.m. at Sokol Fort Worth. Ifing serving as American Sokol Southern you would like to honor Rome with aDistrict Director of Men and on the Na- memorial donation, please considertional Board of Instructors. Sokol Fort Worth Centennial Founda-

While attending the 1972 Summer tion, c/o 6500 Boat Club Road, Fort Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, Worth, Texas 76179; or IamALS.org.with his parents and brother, the Olympic —SPJST— flame ignited his lifelong love of gymnastics and all things Olympics. He attended a total of 12 Summer Olympic Games and had the honor of running a segment in the Olympic Torch Relay in Rome, Italy, before the 2006 Torino Winter Olympic Games. Of his many collections, his Olympic torch and pin collection were some of his favorites. Rome was a pin trader extraordinaire and

In Memory of Marie “Elsie” Perez

Active pallbearers were Joe Caughenbaugh, Larry Mynar, Michael Sawyer, Leland Mynar, David Caughenbaugh, Mark Mynar, C.J. Sulak, and Brandon

Marie “Elsie” Perez, age 90, of West, Sulak. Honorary pallbearers were LoriTexas, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Miller, Misty Mynar, Ginger Buzan, andApril 20, 2021, at her residence. Rachel Sulak.

A rosary was re- Memorials may be made to West Brecited at 6 p.m. Fri- thren Cemetery.day, April 30 at —SPJST— Aderhold Funeral Home in West, followed by visitation until 8 p.m. Funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 1 at the funeral home, with Elsie Perez Reverend Melvin Dornak officiating. Burial followed at West Brethren Cemetery.

Marie was born May 23, 1930, in Abbott, the daughter of Joe and Annie (Koval) Marek. She grew up on a farm and in her younger days plowed and helped pick the cotton in the fields. Marie attended West Elementary and Denton Hill School. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of the Assumption in West. Marie sold Avon and worked for Wolf Manufacturing, The Cotton Mill, Shadowland, and the Abbott Truck Stop. She also worked for Texas Home Health and Girling Community Care for many years. Marie enjoyed cooking, gardening, and taking care of animals. She was always a hard worker and enjoyed helping others. Marie visited with people in need and was especially known for taking them to get groceries.

She was a member of SPJST Lodge 54, West

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; brother Eugene Hromadka; sister Josephine Marek; son-in-law Frankie Caughenbaugh, Sr.; grandson Frankie Caughenbaugh, Jr.; and the father of her children, Joe C. Sulak.

Survivors include children Barbara Mynar and husband Larry of Abbott, Doris Caughenbaugh of Waco, Raymond “Jake” Sulak of West, Bernice Sawyer and husband Steve of West, and Randy Sulak of West; sister JoAnn Matus and husband Herman of West; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; five great great-grandchildren; former husband Florentino Perez; helped raise Alphonso Perez; special friends Leonard Wiese and Willie McDonald, both of West; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

In Memory of Shirley Kelarek

Shirley Ann Kelarek, age 85, of Temple, Texas, passed away Sunday, March 14, 2021, in a Temple living center.

Graveside service was held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 18 at Seaton Cemetery. Viewing was Wednesday, March 17 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at ScanioHarper Funeral Shirley Kelarek Home in Temple.

Mrs. Kelarek was born November 24, 1935, in Meeks to Joe R. Schneider and Emma Marie Salac Schneider. She attended school at Cyclone and Rogers. She married Johnny Kelarek on August 23, 1958. He preceded her in death on September 15, 2017. She worked at Curtis Shoe Factory and was a farmer and homemaker. She was a member of Seaton Brethren Church and a member of SPJST Lodge 24, Cyclone.

Survivors include son Garry Kelarek and wife Valerie of Rogers; son Larry Kelarek and wife Kristie of Anderson; sister Linda Smetanka and husband Billy of Cyclone; grandson Keaton Kelarek and fiancé Madison Motal of Driftwood; and grandson Christian Kelarek of Anderson.

Memorials may be made to Seaton Brethren Church. —SPJST—

In Memory of Melvin Steger

in every sport were given a great foundation in athletics and sportsmanship. Melvin was also an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Taylor and

Melvin Walde Steger, 81, of Taylor, SPJST Lodge 29, Taylor, serving as theTexas, went to be home with his Savior lodge president, hall manager, and youthon Thursday, April 20, 2021. Melvin was leader for many years, having one of theborn May 18, 1939, largest youth groups in the state of Texas.to Walde and Elsie Steger. Funeral service was Saturday, April 24 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Taylor. Internment followed at St. John Melvin took great delight in his grandchildren. He attended many football, softball, basketball, and baseball games, stock shows, and band concerts. “Popo” was there to support his grandkids. Melvin was preceded in death by his Lutheran Cemetery parents Walde and Elsie; and daughter in Bartlett. Melvin Steger Tammy Sue Steger.

Melvin grew up He is survived by wife Geraldine; in St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bartlett, children Pam and John Harper, Donna where he was baptized, confirmed, and and Tim Vanecek, and Mark Steger; married his bride of 61 years. He was a grandchildren Ashley and Clyde Cupproud Bartlett Bulldog where he partici- ples, Dustin and Amanda Harper, Kyle, pated in every sport, and he graduated in Connor, Collin, and Kacie Vanecek, and 1957. Maddison Steger; brothers Stevie and

He grew up on the farm, which is Marlene Steger, Stan and Ione Steger, where he developed his hard-working and Dennis and Kathy Steger; brothersethic, and that is how he lived his life. He in-law Kenneth and Pat Schneider, Edworked 38 years with Alcoa in Rockdale. ward and Barbara Schneider, and Ronnie

In 1959, he married Geraldine and Phyllis Schneider; and many Schneider, and they moved to Taylor in nephews and nieces. 1962, where they raised their three chil- Pallbearers were Dustin Harper, Kyle dren. Vanecek, Connor Vanecek, Collin Vane-

It was his dream to be a high school cek, Clyde Cupples, and Stephen D. coach. He enjoyed coaching all sports for Steger. his children. He was the head coach of The family requests that memorial dothe first Pop Warner football team in Tay- nations be made to St. Paul Lutheran lor in the 1970s. All those young athletes Church of Taylor. that had the privilege of being his players —SPJST—

Bronze SPJST CemeteryMarkers

Bronze SPJST cemetery markers are available for purchase through the Home Office for $20 a piece. Price includes shipping and handling. The markers measure three inches in diameter and include a fourinch threaded post for mounting. To purchase or for more information, call the Home Office at 800-727-7578 and ask for Sandra.

ONLY $20

ACTUAL SIZE