In Memory of

Gladys Maurine Spann

November 23, 1924 - November 21, 2012

Gladys Spann, 87, passed away Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at Shady Oaks Nursing Home in Moulton, Texas. Funeral Services are under the direction of Buffington Funeral Home in Shiner, Texas and will be held at the United Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Shiner, Texas at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 24, 2012 with Reverend Clarence Hagens officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, November 24, 2012 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at the Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Shiner, Texas. Interment will follow at the City of Shiner Cemetery in Shiner, Texas. Gladys was born November 23, 1924 in Shiner, Texas. She was the daughter of Arthur...

Gladys Spann, 87, passed away Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at Shady Oaks Nursing Home in Moulton, Texas.

Funeral Services are under the direction of Buffington Funeral Home in Shiner, Texas and will be held at the United Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Shiner, Texas at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 24, 2012 with Reverend Clarence Hagens officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, November 24, 2012 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at the Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Shiner, Texas. Interment will follow at the City of Shiner Cemetery in Shiner, Texas.

Gladys was born November 23, 1924 in Shiner, Texas. She was the daughter of Arthur and Martha (Heidrich) Wagner. She married Lee Sralla in 1942 who preceded him in death in 1957. She Married Edwin Spann 1965 who preceded her in death in 1989. She was employed by Trinity Lutheran Nursing Home/Shiner Nursing & Rehab for 23 years.

Gladys is survived by: one son; Phillip Sralla and his wife Joan of Shiner, Texas, one sister; Ruby Biehle of California, one granddaughter; Candice Lu of Connecticut, and two great-grandchildren; Lauryn Lu and Megan Lu, both of Connecticut.

She was preceded in death by her husbands; Lee Sralla and Edwin Spann, one grandson; Roger Lee Sralla, two brothers; Lane Wagner and Eugene Wagner, and one sister; Doris Grun.

To join the family in celebrating Gladys' life, please go to: www.buffingtonfuneralhomeshiner.com

Buffington Funeral Home

Sonia Juanita Schiller, 84, of San Angelo passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2011.

She was born March 21, 1927 in Robert Lee and grew up in San Angelo. She married Frank J. Schiller, Sr. on November 13, 1941 in San Angelo. She was a member of The Heights Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband and her son Frank Schiller, Jr.

She is survived by 3 sons: Charles Schiller of San Angelo, Jim Schiller and wife Kathy of San Angelo and Jerry Schiller and wife Margaret of San Angelo; as well as 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Our precious and wonderful mother taught her children how to live and now she has taught us how to die with dignity, faith and courage. She was our hero.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2011 at The Heights Baptist Church with Dr. James A. Miller officiating. Flowers may be delivered to The Heights Baptist Church.

Johnson's Funeral Home

Sophie Ann Metcalf, age 92, passed away Sunday, April 22, 2012 after a long and brave battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Sophie was born to Anton and Mary Spacek on April 29, 2012 in Bellville, Tx.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Murel N. Metcalf, her grandson Adam Weisinger and great grandson, Jeffrey Weisinger

Sophie was a very special and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She will be truly missed by all. Mourning her loss are her three daughters, Georgnette Weisinger and husband James, Loretta Kelley and husband Jerry and Barbara Barrett and husband Roland.  Sophie's long and happy life was blessed with nine grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, two great, great grandchildren and numerous family and friends.

Visitation will be 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Rosary Tuesday, April 24, 2012 in the Chapel of Earthman Resthaven. Rite of Committal will be 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 25th at Houston National Cemetery

Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home

Funeral services for Mrs. Frank J. (Sophie) Stavinoha, 77, of Holman were held Thursday morning, Sept. 7, at Hubbard Funeral Home and St. Michael’s Catholic Church, with interment in the Holman Catholic Cemetery.  Rev. Joseph Hamala of Ammannsville officiated, assisted by Rev. Albert Hubertus of Weimar.

Mrs. Stavinoha died at 1:10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, in Youens Hospital after several months’ illness.

Born July 9, 1890, at Holman, a daughter of John and Frances Klecka Hajovsky, she was a life-time resident of that area.  She was married to Mr. Stavinoha at Ammannsville on Oct. 22, 1909, and they settled at Holman, where they had lived since.

She was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, KJZT Society, Altar Society and Christian Mothers Society at Holman.

Surviving in addition to her husband are two daughters, Mrs. Clement C. (Cecilia) Cernosek of Holman and Mrs. A. J. (Josie) Naiser of Baytown; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Henry (Mary) Kana Sr. of Weimar and Mrs. Frank (Agnes) Cernosek of La Grange.  Two brothers and two sisters preceded her in death.

Pallbearers were Mrs. Stavinoha’s grandsons, Donald Cernosek of Holman, Pvt. James Cernosek of Ft. Polk, La., Dennis Cernosek and Ronnie and Kenneth Naiser of Baytown; Richard Naiser of La Marque; and two grandsons-in-law, Gene Seidl and Bill Gilpin of Houston.  One grandson was not able to attend the services; Sp-4 Clement Cernoseks Jr. is in Vietnam.

Weimar Mercury, Thursday, September 14, 1967

Submitted by Rosemary Ermis

SOPHIE MACHA SMAISTRLA, 89, was born September 30, 1914 in Krasna, TX to parents Karel and Cecilia (Petrash) Macha. She married Raymond Smaistrla on August 5, 1935. Sophie died on April 10, 2004 in Houston.

She is survived by her children and their spouses: Albert and Margaret Smaistrla, Bernard and Carol Smaistrla, Carolyn and Larry Minks, Donald and Sharon Smaistrla, and Jody and Jerry Smaistrla, 13 Grandchildren and 18 Great Grandchildren.

Funeral services are: Visitation after 6pm Wednesday April 14, with a rosary at 7pm from Holy Cross Church, 836 Church St. East Bernard TX, Funeral 10am Thursday April 15 at Holy Cross Church. Funeral services under the direction of Knesek and Sons Funeral Home, Wallis, TX, 979-478-6311

Published in the Houston Chronicle on 4/14/2004

Stanley Sebesta, 86, of Highlands, TX, went peacefully to be with his Lord on Sunday, March 18, 2012, due to complications of a heart attack.

Stanley was born on Sept. 14, 1925, in Crosby, TX, to Edward William and Matilda Holy Sebesta. Immediately after high school graduation in 1944, Stanley began working at Humble Oil. He continued that employment for 41 years, before retiring in 1986. As hobbies, Stanley enjoyed gardening and wood working. Stanley became a Christian in 1949. From that time, he applied himself to increase in the knowledge of God. In times past, he served the church as deacon, leader and teacher. He was currently a member of Northside Baptist Church in Highlands, TX.

Stanley is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sylvetta Sebesta of Highlands; daughter, Donna Sebesta of Knoxville, TN; daughter, Elizabeth Ibarra and husband Javier of Highlands; granddaughter, Shawnda Seelow and husband Phillip Oare of Morristown, TN; grandson, Michael Ibarra of Highlands; great granddaughters, Audrey May and Autumn Faith Oare of Morristown, TN, also numerous nieces and nephews and friends.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Earthman Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be Thursday, March 22, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., in the funeral home chapel with Pastor David Brumbelow officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Earthman Baytown Funeral Home

Stanley Vince Strnad, 71, of 1713 Alamo Drive, died at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in a local hospital following a lingering illness.

A retired farmer and carpenter, Mr. Strnad moved to Victoria from Taylor two years ago.  He was born Nov. 14, 1895, in Taylor, and was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.

The body will be sent to Condra Funeral Home in Taylor Thursday morning for funeral services and burial in the Taylor Cemetery.  Local arrangements are being handled by Duckett Funeral Home.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Frank Saski of Victoria and Mrs. Eddie Pribyl of Da Costa; two sons, Edward Strnad and Stanley J. Strand of Victoria; four sisters, Mrs. Anton Cervenka, Mrs. Frank Cervenka and Mrs. Joe Pokorny of Taylor and Mrs. John Cervenka of Lott; a brother, Henry Strnad of Taylor; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Victoria Advocate, Thursday, June 9, 1967

Submitted by Rosemary Ermis

A Graveside Service for Stella Svoboda Gaskamp, 75, of Needville, TX, will be 2:00 PM Friday, May 4, 2012, at Immanuel United Church of Christ Cemetery, Needville, TX 77461, with Rev. Paul Longmire officiating.

Mrs. Gaskamp was born March 7, 1937, in Sugar Land, TX. She died May 1, 2012, in Needville, TX.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Gaskamp.

She is survived by her special friend, Jack Mansel, and by two cousins, Katherine and Rosa Lee.

Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281)342-4671.

Garmany Carden Funeral Home

Stephen Arnold Simcik, 64, a resident of Nueces County for the past 38 years, died Wednesday evening at his home on Chapman Ranch Road following a heart attack.

He was born in Moravia July 19, 1887, and came to the United States with his parents when he was four years old.  The family settled in Williamson County and Simcik moved to the Agua Dulce community in 1914.  He moved to his present home in suburban Corpus Christi in 1927.

He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Robstown, the Elks Lodge and S.P.J.S.T.

Surviving are his wife, Mary T.; two sons, Victor F. and Albert J. Simcik, both of Corpus Christi; five daughters, Mrs. Clyde Oakes, Mrs. E. E. Elzner, Ella and Sylvia Simcik, all of Corpus Christi, and Mrs. Mike Covill, Walnut Creek, Calif.; his father, Paul M. Simcik, Bartlett, Texas; four sisters, Mrs. Rosa Zack, Taylor, Texas; Mrs. Verona Tschoerner and Mrs. Albina Zindler, both of Schwertner, Texas, and Mrs. Mary Mrazek, Driscoll, and 16 grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by Dunne Funeral Home.

Corpus Christi Times, Thursday, June 19, 1952

Submitted by Rosemary Ermis

Funeral services for Sterling Page De Shozo, 33, a native of Aspermont, Texas, and a resident of Rosenberg, whose death occurred Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Stavinoha, Sr. of Rosenberg, were held from the residence Thursday afternoon, with the Rev. R. G. Commander of the First Baptist Church officiating.  Burial was in the W. O. W. Cemetery.

Steve Robert Skalsky, 45, passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2011 in La Marque, TX.  He was born on July 11, 1966 in Hibbing, Minnesota to Billie Featherston Bush and Robert Skalsky.  He was a longtime resident of Texas City and La Marque, TX

Steve is preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife of 10 years, Vickie Gomez Skalsky; daughters, Crystal Lopez and husband Jermain, Miranda Maciel and husband Eric Sr., Jamie Vazquez and husband Jorge and Sarah Flores; son, Zhane Johnson; grandchildren, Priscilla, Jermain, and Daniel Lopez, Eric Jr. and Gabriella Maciel, Jovahn Vazquez and Daniel Flores ; sisters, Tammy Lindsey and husband Robert, Cindy Johnson and husband Jim and Vel Hunt; brothers, Billy Wallace and wife Crystal, Michael Wallace and wife Donna, Russell Wallace and wife Shirley and Mark Wallace  and many close friends, Eric Buck, Bobby Dale, James Holloway, Pete Sauer and Wade; beloved dogs, Rico, Bella, and Miracle.

Visitation will be on Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 11:00am to 2:00pm with a Funeral Service to follow at 2:00pm at the James Crowder Funeral Home in La Marque, TX.

JAMES C. CROWDER FUNERAL HOME - LA MARQUE

Steve Sokoly, 88, passed away Monday, Feb. 13, 2012.

Funeral: 11 a.m. Thursday at Glenview Baptist Church, 4805 NE Loop 820, Fort Worth.

Interment: 2 p.m. in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst.

Mr. Sokoly was an avid outdoorsman and he loved fishing and boating; he was also passionate about his family. Mr Sokoly served nine years in the Army Air Corps (including World War II) and the U.S. Air Force where he received the National Defense Service Medal.

He was predeceased by his son, Scott Sokoly.

Survivors: Wife, Leah Lovelace Sokoly; sons, Steven Sokoly (Ruth) and Jeff Sokoly (Sherri); daughter, Beth Ann Visser (David); daughter-in-law, Summer Sokoly; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Bill; and sister, Lena.

Published in Fort Worth Star-Telegram on February 15, 2012

Susan Marie Thomas, age 57 of Alvin, Texas passed away Thursday, January 17, 2013 at her residence in Alvin, Texas. Susan was born on November 3, 1955 in Duncan, Oklahoma and was a resident of Alvin for over 30 years. She was a teacher and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She was a past president of A.T.P.E.

Susan is survived by her husband, Fred Thomas, father, Joseph Slovak, two daughters Kelly Sambrano and Cynthia Loran Cisneros and husband Javier. Sons, Clint Koenig and Karl Thomas. Seven grandchildren, Madeline, Mallory, Sebastian, Silvester and Steel, Jaxon and Abigail, along with numerous other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 21, 2013 from 5 -8 P.M. at the Scott Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. at the Scott Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Grace Memorial Park in Hitchcock, Texas. Arrangements under the direction of the Scott Family, 1421 East Hwy 6, Alvin, Texas 77511.  (281) 585-1000    www.scottfuneralhome.net

Galveston Daily News

Funeral services for Taylor James Goodwin, age 19 of East Bernard, were at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard with Fr. Don Ruppert officiating. Burial was in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in East Bernard.

He was born on Jan. 22, 1993 in Houston, the son of Joel and Trina Sliva Goodwin. He was a 2011 graduate of East Bernard High School, where he graduated in the top 10 percent of his class and was currently attending Wharton County Junior College.

He died Tuesday, Feb. 14 in Hungerford, Tex.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Leon Sliva, as well as great-grandparents Delia Chmelik, Adolph and Annie Sliva, and Joe and Foye Griffith of Mount Vernon.

He is survived by his parents, Joel and Trina Goodwin of East Bernard; a sister, Kelsey Goodwin of East Bernard; his grandparents, Mitzy Sliva of East Bernard, Cliff and Barbara Griffith Scates of Dripping Springs, Jim and Diane Goodwin of Houston; his great-grandmother, Alene Goodwin of Haltom City; and numerous aunts,uncles and cousins.

Pallbearers were Perry Bosek, Bryan Butler, Donny Chmelik, Ed Hillmann, Greg Morris, and Larry Morris. Honorary pallbearers were the East Bernard High School Class of 2012. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holy Cross Catholic Church Scholarship Fund in East Bernard, Tex

Thelma Jean Sliva

March 12, 1939 - February 15, 2012

Jean Sliva, 72, of Hamshire, died February 15, 2012, at the Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas.

She is survived by her loving husband of fifty years, Albert Sliva, Jr. of Hamshire; son, Wade Sliva of Wimberley; daughters, Christine Sliva and Andy Allen and Reine Muehlenbein and her husband, Kevin all of Hamshire; sister, Martha Hoffpauir and her husband, Eddie of Mire, Louisiana; granddaughter, Brittany Allen; and host of family and friends.

Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning, February 18, 2012, at Broussards, 134 W. Buccaneer Drive in Winnie with burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery. A gathering of her family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday evening, February 17, 2012, at Broussards. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hamshire Volunteer Fire Department, P O Box 153, Hamshire, Texas 77622

Broussard's Mortuary - Beaumont, TX