In Memoriam

Resolution of Sympathy

The Resolution Committee of Lodge Karel Havlicek No. 4, Hallettsville, on behalf of our entire membership wish to express our sincerest and deepest sympathy to the family of our departed lodge sister,

VIVIAN ANNA CHUDEJ, 90, who passed away Sunday, July 3, 2022.

Vivian was born March 22, 1932, in Hallettsville. She grew up nearby in Vsetin, where her family farmed cotton and raised cattle and chickens. She attended school at Vsetin and Hallettsville ISD.

She married the Vivian Chudej love of her life, Vernon Chudej, on October 16, 1950. They loved to dance and went to nearby towns to dances almost every weekend. Shortly after they were married, Vivian and Vernon moved to Houston, and in 1975 to Pearland until 2021 when they became residents at Trinity Oaks Senior Apartments.

Vivian was employed by W. H. Curtin and Company in Houston for 30 years, where she was their payroll supervisor. She was a devoted wife to her husband and loving mother to her children, Susan and Michael. She loved to sew and made much of the family’s clothing. Vivian became her husband’s caretaker after it became difficult for him to move about physically.

She enjoyed meeting people and never met a stranger. She often picked up the phone to call her family and friends. She was passionate in sending them cards for all occasions. She loved to play bingo and participated in all the games at her apartments.

Vivian was strong in her faith and loved her Lord and Savior. Her oldest sister, Anita Hagens, joined her in heaven the same day as Vivian’s death. We imagine that Vivian, Anita, and their cousin, Rose Marie Kloppenburg, are doing the polka down the streets of heaven! Vivian will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was a member of SPJST Lodge 4, Hallettsville.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Annie Holly; son Michael Chudej; sister Anita Hagens; and brothers Lester and Elden Holly.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 72 years, Vernon Chudej; daughter Susan Chudej; sister Charlene Chatham (Clifford); sister-inlaw Gloria Holly; grandchildren Melissa Pace (Jeremy), Wayne Thibodeaux (Rebecca), Luke Chudej, and Holly Chudej; great-grandchildren Morgan Pace, Shelby Thibodeaux, and Warren Thibodeaux; and numerous nieces and nephews whom Vivian loved as if they were her own children.

Services were held on Tuesday, July 12 at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Pearland. Visitation was from 9 to 10 a.m. Funeral service was at 10 a.m. with Pastor Jon Salminen officiating. Interment followed at 2 p.m. at the Vsetin Czech-Moravian Brethren Church Cemetery in Hallettsville. Dr. Mark Labaj officiated at the burial service.

The family requests that donations be made to the church of your choice.

May our departed sister rest in eternal peace.

Resolution Committee Victoria Zak Gayenell Chudej —SPJST—

Resolution of Sympathy

The Resolution Committee of Lodge Karel Havlicek No. 4, Hallettsville, on behalf of our entire membership wish to express our sincerest and deepest sympathy to the family of our departed lodge sister,

ANITA ROSIE HAGENS, who completed her journey on Sunday, July 3, 2022, at the age of 94 years.

Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6 at Thiele Cooper Funeral Home. Funeral service was at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 7 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church with Pastor Alsen Wenzel officiating. Private burial was Anita Hagens held.

Anita was born on March 21, 1928, in Vsetin to Charles and Annie (Trlica) Holly.

Anita retired from Tex Tan after 26 years of service. She was a wife, mother, homemaker, cook and baker, and often sewed in her spare time. She loved to travel and host holiday dinners for family and friends.

She was a member of SPJST Lodge 4, Hallettsville.

She was preceded in death by husband Wilbert Hagens; infant son Daryl; sister Vivian Chudej; and brothers Lester and Eldon Holly.

Anita is survived by daughters Debra Hagens and husband David Hensley of Austin, Diana Hagens of Yoakum, and Donna Hagens of Austin; sister Charlene Chatham and husband Cliff of Pearland; sister-in-law Gloria Holly of Corpus Christi; brother-in-law Vernon Chudej of Pearland; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, P. O. Box 647, Yoakum, Texas 77995.

May our departed sister rest in eternal peace. Resolution Committee Victoria Zak Gayenell Chudej —SPJST—

Resolution of Sympathy

The Resolution Committee of Lodge Karel Havlicek No. 4, Hallettsville, on behalf of our entire membership wish to express our sincerest and deepest sympathy to the family of our departed brother,

COLONEL ROBERT “BOB” KUBENA.

He peacefully passed away on on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.

Visitation was at 5 p.m., Sunday, July 24 at Kubena Funeral Home in Hallettsville. Rosary followed at 6 p.m. Funeral mass was celebrated at 10 a.m., Monday, July 25 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville with Monsignor John Peters officiating. Burial followed in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

He was born to Anton J. Kubena Col. Bob Kubena and Agnes (Linhart) Kubena on January 2, 1933, in Hallettsville.

Bob married Betty Lou Brent on May 7, 1955, in Denton. He was a loving husband and father who served God and his church, his country, and community for most of his life. He began serving for Mass at a very young age. He grew to being an active adult member of Sacred Heart Church as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and church board member. He was instrumental in securing funds to build the new church in 1969 which was paid for before they broke ground.

Bob proudly served in the United States Army, United States Army Reserves, and the Texas National Guard over a span of more than 40 years, attaining the rank of Colonel. He was a true leader to his core.

Hallettsville was Bob’s home, and he very much enjoyed serving his community. Beginning in 1964, he served as a councilman and later as mayor for 11 years. During his tenure as mayor, he negotiated with the Finklestein family to attain the land to build what is now Hallettsville City Park. He was instrumental in the purchase of the old Peoples State Bank building which was purchased for use by the city. He was also active in the Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club. For decades during his career as funeral

director, he continued to serve our community.

Bob was one of the original members who established the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission. He remained active for many, many years until his health began to fail.

Bob served 52 years as a municipal court judge. He also had the distinction of serving as president of the Texas Municipal Courts Association. He enjoyed celebrating life with his family and friends. He spent as much time as he could outdoors enjoying nature. May God welcome Bob into His Kingdom as another true and faithful servant.

He was a member of SPJST Lodge 4, Hallettsville.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; wife Betty Lou Kubena; sisterin-law Barbara Kubena; brother-in-law Ed Nichols; and infant daughter Christian Maria Kubena.

Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Church Music Fund, Sacred Heart Catholic School or charity of donor’s choice.

May our departed brother rest in eternal peace, Resolution Committee Victoria Zak Gayenell Chudej —SPJST—

Resolution of Sympathy

The Resolution Committee of Lodge Karel Havlicek No. 4, Hallettsville, on behalf of our entire membership wish to express our sincerest and deepest sympathy to the family of our departed brother,

ALTON ALBERT MICHALCIK, 84, of Hallettsville, Texas, went to his heavenly home on July 11, 2022, after a two-year battle with lung cancer. He was definitely a fighter to the end.

Funeral mass was at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 16 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation was at 9 a.m. and rosary was at 10 a.m. Officiant was Monsignor John Peters. Burial was in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

He was born on May 31, 1938, to Alfonse and Lillie Michalcik in Hallettsville. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Alton attended school at Bila Hora thru eighth grade and graduated from Hallettsville High School and completed six months of active-duty training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, for the United States Army. Afterwards he started work at the Texas Highway Department in Port Lavaca for a couple of years then began working for Shell Oil Company in Sheridan. He then transferred to Karnes City to work at the Person Plant in Panna Maria and Pawnee Plant in Pawnee. He was a member of the Karnes City Fire Department. He was a Cub Scout Leader for Pack 115 while living in Karnes City. He then was transferred back to Hallettsville to continue work at the Sheridan Plant where he retired after 30 years of service. After retirement, he drove the bus at Hallettsville ISD for 10 years.

He married his high school sweetheart, Bernice Dorothy Smirak, on November 19, 1961, in Sweet Home at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church. To this union, three children were born.

Alton loved his family and friends. He especially loved the time spent with his wife. There was never a time that they were apart; they always did everything together. With a big heart he always made sure everybody was taken care of before himself. He loved his years as a bus driver being able to drive the students to many competitions/field trips.

He was a farmer who took pride in his land and cattle. There was never a day that he wasn’t out on the mule feeding his cattle, turkeys, and fish. He loved fishing and hunting with his children and grandchildren. He was always there to give his grandchildren advice and even found time to teach his grandson to drive. He enjoyed their sporting events/activities. He slowed down during his illness but always looked forward to when his son, David, would come pick him up and take him hunting or just to the farm to see his cattle. He loved his outings with his son and even better when they stopped for ice cream.

He was a member of SPJST Lodge 4, Hallettsville.

In addition to his parents, Alton was preceded in death by his brother, Ervin Michalcik, and nephew Rodney Michalcik.

Alton is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bernice Michalcik; sons Wesley (Robyn) and David (Debra); daughter Michele Chovanetz (Christopher); brother Glen (Barbara); sister in-law Jeanette Michalcik; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church; St. Joseph Catholic Church; or donor’s choice.

May our departed brother rest in eternal peace. Resolution Committee Victoria Zak Gayenell Chudej —SPJST— Alton Michalcik

In Memory of Edward Mokry

Edward John Mokry passed away on Sunday, July 24, 2022, at the age of 88 after a long illness.

Visitation was Monday, August 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple with rosary at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 2 at St. Luke Catholic Church in Temple followed by burial at St. Joseph Cemetery in Cyclone.

He was born in Taylor on June 23, 1934, to Joe R. Mokry, Sr. and Annie (Polasek) Mokry.

On April 25, 1959, he married Anna Marie Lange at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Granger. He served in the Air Force during the Korean conflict for three years.

He worked for Superior Dairies and Borden Dairy Company for 30 years. He retired from SPJST Fraternal Life Insurance Home Office as a maintenance worker in 2004.

He was a member of SPJST Lodge 47, Seaton.

Edward was preceded in death by his parents, Joe R. Mokry, Sr. and Annie Mokry; and sister Dolores Mackey.

He is survived by wife Anna Marie Mokry; daughter Brenda Mokry and husband Mike Atkinson of Austin; daughter Diane Mills and husband Troy of Temple; son Edward Mokry, Jr. and wife Jackie of Belton; daughter Carol Hammer and husband Tony of Saratoga, California; brother Joe Mokry and wife Linda of Coupland; sisters Georgie Edmonds and husband David of Austin, Sybil Heselmeyer of Taylor, and Dorothy Skrhak of Taylor; grandchildren Megan Downing and husband Paul of Cleburne, Chase Crocker and wife Michelle of Elgin, David Witcher of Waco, Angela Mills of Temple, Carmen Ellis and husband Renaldo of Temple, and Nicolas Hammer of San Francisco, California; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations can be made to the ALS Association. —SPJST— Ed Mokry

Broken Chain

by Ron Tranmer

We little knew that morning God was to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, You did not go alone. For part of us went with you The day God called you home. You left us beautiful memories, Your love is still our guide, And though we cannot see you, You are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one, The chain will link again.