Obituaries
- V -

EMMA C. GREIVE VAHALIK

Victoria Advocate, 27 Dec 1994, page 12A

EMMA C. VAHALIK

AUSTIN - Emma C. Vahalik, 92, of Austin died Saturday, Dec. 24, 1994.

Mrs. Vahalik was born July 16, 1902, in Praha to the late Henry Greive and Josephine Pesek. She was a homemaker and a Catholic and a member of K.J.T. and St. Joseph Catholic Church. 

Survivors: son, Marcus Anthony Vahalik of Austin and sister, Mary Janek of Houston.

Preceded in death by her husband, Adolph Joseph Vahalik; sister, Matilda Janek; and brothers, Willie Greive, Edward Greive, Louis Greive, Richard Greive, Rudolph Henry Greive, Anton Greive and Emil Greive.

Visitation will begin 1 p.m. today, Buffington Funeral Home.

Rosary: 6 p.m. today, at the funeral home chapel in Shiner.

Services: Noon Wednesday, St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Rev. Fred Krenek officiating.

Burial: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Buffington Funeral Home, Shiner, 594-3352.

Contributed by Matt Cross

AGNES EMILIE VALCHAR

Weimar Mercury, 21 Mar 1963, page 1

Final Rites For Miss Valchar, 56, Held March 11

Funeral services for Miss Agnes Emilie Valchar, 56, of Oakland, were held Monday afternoon, March 11, at Hubbard Funeral Home, with interment in the Bila Hora Cemetery.

Rev. F. J. Kostohryz of Temple, pastor of the Czech Moravian Brethren Church of Vsetin, of which Miss Valchar was a member, officiated.

Miss Valchar died at her home at 10:25 p. m. Saturday, March 9, after an illness of several months.

Daughter of Josef and Theresa Valchar, she was born Jan. 11, 1907, near Oakland and lived her entire life in that community. She was preceded in death by her father and four sisters, Mrs. Joe (Theresa) Vojtek, Mrs. James (Anastasie) Dusek, and Misses Antonia and Emeilie Valchar.

Surviving her are her mother, Mrs. Theresa Valchar; five sisters, Mrs. John (Annie) Foojt, Mrs. John (Julie) Fojt, Mrs. John (Vlasta) Wojtek, Mrs. Frank (Lydia) Roznovak, and Miss Martha Valchar; and two brothers Jerry J. Valchar and Henry E. Valchar.

ANTONIO VALCHAR

Weimar Mercury
5 July 1929

Miss Antonio Valchar Dies in San Antonio

Miss Antonio Valchar of the Bila Hora community — daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Valchar, respected farmers of that place—died in a San Antonio hospital one day last week and the remains were brought back for interment in the Bila Hora Cemetery Sunday last.

The young lady was well and favorably known in this section, daughter of a prominent family of the Bila Hora community, and her death is deeply and sincerely deplored. She leaves, besides her parents, two brothers and eight sisters.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to her bereaved ones.

EUGENE (GENE) VALENTA

Victoria Advocate
6 Dec 2004

HALLETTSVILLE - Eugene "Gene" Valenta, 86, of Hallettsville, died Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville, the VFW Post 6382, American Legion Post 230, High School Rodeo Association, Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce, KJT, fourth degree of Knights of Columbus, and Knights of St. Gregory.

Survivors: daughter, Anna Beth Neumeyer of San Antonio; and four grandchildren.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Kubena Funeral Home chapel.

A rosary will be recited 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

A rosary will be recited 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the church, Bishop David Fellhauer and the Rev. John Peters officiating.

Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Memorials: Sacred Heart School of Hallettsville.

Contributed by Nena Smothers

ANN KOLACNY VALIS

Victoria Advocate, 22 Feb 1998, page 13A

ANN VALIS

SAN ANTONIO – Ann Valis, 75, of San Antonio died Saturday, Feb. 21, 1998.

She was born March 22, 1922, in Rowena to the late Jim J. and Ludmilla Janek Kolacny. She was a homemaker and a Catholic.

Survivors: daughter, Carol Posey of San Marcos; son, Dennis Valis of San Antonio; sister, Elsie Boehm of San Antonio; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A rosary and wake will be 7:30 p.m. Monday at Buffington Funeral Home chapel.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, the Rev. Gerry Cernoch officiating.

Burial will be at Shiner Catholic Cemetery. Buffington Funeral Home, Shiner, 594-3352.

Contributed by Matt Cross

ANNIE LAUER VALIS

Shiner Gazette, 7 Dec 1939, page 1

Mrs. John Valis Sr.

A death that saddened every heart in the Shiner community was that of Mrs. John Valis Sr. whose passing away last Friday evening at 9:00 ended the life of a wonderful mother. Mrs. Vallis was widely known and respected for her lovable disposition and her many acts of kindness. He long spared the life being only devoted to making others happy. She had reached the ripe old age of 79 years, two months and five days. The funeral was held Sunday at 9:30 from the residence of her daughter, Mrs. T. J. Husinecky. The immense number of friends and relatives in attendance and the profuse floral tributes were evidence of the love in which the deceased was held. Requiem High Mass was said at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church by Rev E. Bily. Monsignor Netardus delivered touching sermons in English and Czech, offering words of sympathy and consolation to the bereaved. Interment was made in the Catholic Cemetery, Monsignor Netardus and Father Bily officiating.

Pallbearers were John W. Valis, A. E. Simper, Ernest Kral, Wm. Kutac, John Michalek and F. A. Dolezal.

Mrs. Valis (nee Annie Lauer) was born in Czechoslovakia and came to America when a young girl. Fifty-seven years ago she was married to Mr. Valis in the Praha Catholic Church by Father Zak. For four years after their marriage the couple lived near Flatonia and then moved to the Shiner community. Fourteen years ago they moved to town. The union was blessed with four children. Mr. Valis passed away January 30, 1938 and after the death of her devoted life companion Mrs. Valis life began to fail. Although she had been tenderly cared for in the home of her daughter Mrs. T. J. Husinecky she did not long survive the loss of her husband. In her death their family suffers an irreparable loss but we are certain the memory will linger forever not only in the minds of her children but in the minds of everyone who know her. Surviving are two sons, John Jr. and Joe Vallis, Two daughters, Mrs. Jim Kral and Mrs. T. J. Husinecky, 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Our most profound sympathy goes out to the bereaved.

Contributed by Matt Cross

JOHN VALIS, Sr.

Shiner Gazette, February 3, 1938, page one

Shiner suffered the loss of another prominent citizen when John Vallis Sr. answered the call of his maker. After battling with life for several weeks the spirit of this good man passed on, Sunday, January 30 at 8:20 am aged 79 years, 3 months and 13 days.

Funeral services were held from Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church Tuesday with Requiem near Catholic Cemetery, Monsignor Netardus conducting the services. A large gathering witnessed the last rites who showed by their presence and the unusually large floral offering their love, respect, and friendship for a good man who has passed out of this life.

Pallbearers were John W. Valis, Joe Valis Jr., Anton Janik Jr., Ernest Kral, and Albert Simper.

Deceased was born in Czechoslovakia in 1858 and came to America in 1877 first making his home in the Sweet Home Section. He was married to Miss Annie Lauer 57 years ago in the Praha church by Father Zak. For four years after their marriage they made their home in the Flatonia, then moved to the Shiner community and 13 years ago they moved to town where they have resided since. Their home was blessed with four children who with their mother survive. They are Mrs. Jim Kral and Joe Valis Sr. of the Boundary Line Section and John J. Valis and Mrs. Tom Husinecky Jr. of our city. Other survivors are 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Deceased was a good and splendid citizen being of a kind and gentle disposition his presence was welcomed everywhere. He was devoted to his family and left them a noble heritage to emulate. God spared him life and companionship to his loved ones for almost four score years and now that life’s trials are over he has gone to reap the joys of a life well spent.

We commend the grieving ones to the Father above for comfort in this their hour of distress.

Contributed by Matt Cross

GLENN VANCURA

Victoria Advocate, 29 Mar 2006

GLEN W. VANCURA - SHINER

SHINER - Glen William Vancura, 47, of Shiner, died Monday, March 27, 2006.

He was born Jan. 23, 1959, in Shiner, to Johnnie and Dorothy Lucille Schreiber Vancura of Shiner. He was a teacher and a Lutheran.

Survivors: daughter, Brittany Ann Vancura of San Antonio.

A prayer service will be 7 p.m. tonight at Buffington Funeral Home chapel.

Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at United Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church, the Rev. Lynae Sorensen officiating.

Burial will be at Shiner Cemetery. Buffington Funeral Home, Shiner, 361-594-3352.

Memorials: Shiner ISD Education Foundation.

Contributed by Matt Cross

VACLAV "JIM" VANCURA

Shiner Gazette, 19 Feb 1976

Services For Jim Vancura Held In Shiner

Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6 at Sts. Cyril and Methodius' in Shiner for Jim Vancura of Houston who died Tuesday night, February 3, 1976 at Heights Hospital at the age of 52 years, 10 months and 21 days.

Burial was in the Shiner Catholic Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were his close friends, David Tesar of Wharton, Walter Ebert and Kirwin Kosler, both of Houston; his nephews, Mark Duhe of Lake Jackson, Ronnie Vancura of Shiner and Allen Schumacher of Cuero.

The Rev. Father John Wagner of San Antonio was celebrant of the Mass and officiated at the graveside services.

The Rosary was recited at the Buffington Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, by the Rev. Patrick Fidgeon.

Vaclav "Jim" Vancura, one of six children, was born March 12, 1923, at Shiner, Lavaca County, Texas, son of Vaclav and Bessie (Grossmann) Vancura, natives respectively of Czechoslovakia and Praha, Fayette County, Texas. He was reared on the family farm and attended the Sunset School.

On February 22, 1949, he was married to Bernice Jiral in St. Ann's Catholic Church, Yoakum. The couple farmed at Shiner moved to Houston. For the past 19 years he was employed at Mosher Steel Co. He was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Houston, and for 25 years was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Mr. Vancura suffered a heart attack of January 12 and was in the hospital for 11 days. He was rushed to the hospital after another attack on Tuesday, Feb. 3, from which he failed to rally.

The body was taken to pat Foley Funeral Home in Houston where it lay in state for viewing Wednesday and was taken to Shiner Thursday morning.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Bernice Jiral Vancura; two sons, Danny and Jimmy, both of Houston; a daughter, Mrs. Robert (Debbie) Bartel of Houston; three brothers, Adolph and Johnny of Shiner and Edwin of Houston; two sisters, Miss Rose Vancura of Houston and Mrs. Albert (Gladys) Duhe of Lake Jackson; and a granddaughter, Bethany Bartel.

Contributed by Matt Cross

RICHARD ROWE VEAL

Hallettsville Herald, 9 Apr 1907

Richard Veal Dead.

An Old Pioneer Passes Away to His Reward.

In the death last Wednesday, May 1st, of Richard R. Veal of Worthing, one of the Lavaca county's oldest and most respected citizens passed away to his reward.

The deceased had resided in this county since 1836, moving here with his parents when but 8 years old, making him at the time of his death nearly 79 years old. His father was Richard Veal, and the family came to Texas from Pike County, Missouri, the father coming here first on a prospecting trip and then returning for his family. They settled on Rocky Creek near Worthing, and the place has continued to be the Veal homestead, Richard Veal succeeding to the possession of same on his father's death.

In 1866 he was married to Mrs. M. J. Worthing who still survives, though she is reported quite sick at this writing. Their only child was Mrs. H. S. Dew of Missouri City, thought F. A. Worthing was a son of Mrs. Veal by her first marriage. The Veal family was related to many of the pioneer families of Lavaca county, and relations are scattered all over Texas.

Mr. Veal had been ailing several years, gradually sinking into a decline from which recovery was impossible, due to his advanced age. He and his wife lived alone on the place until the last two or three years when one of Mr. Worthing's children was with them.

The funeral services were held Thursday morning, the remains being interred in the City Cemetery here, Rev. R. S. Adair officiating, and quite a concourse of friends were present to pay their last respects to their deceased friend.

Mr. Veal was a good man, one who was always foremost in work for his county's welfare before old age forced him into retirement. He owned a splendid place on Rocky of some 400 acres, well improved. One by one the old pioneers who helped to carve Lavaca county out of the wilderness are passing away. Up above may they receive the reward they so richly deserve.

Obituary transcribed by Rox Ann Johnson. Photo contributed by Penny Odom.

RUFUS T. VEAL

Colorado Citizen, 1 Jan 1891, page 2

Another Wagon Death

Hallettsville New Era: The news was brought to town Monday morning that Mr. Rufus t. Veal had died the night before at his home. His death was caused by injuries received by being run over by a loaded wagon. Mr. Veal was a member of the last commissioners' court and highly esteemed in the Sweet Home community in which he lived.

JANE VICK

Yoakum Weekly Herald
January 20, 1910

Deaths

The remains of Mrs. Jane Vick, 82, mother of Mrs. Patton McCord of this city, were brought in this afternoon on the Waco train from Hamilton county and carried from the depot to the Pilot Grove cemetery, followed by a crowd of sorrowing relatives and friends to witness the consign ment of the body to its last resting place, by the side of her husband, who has departed this life about ten years ago. She has lived near Pilot Grove for more than half a century.

Transcribed by Carla Ratcliff

DOROTHY HOUSE VIEMAN

Weimar Mercury
January 21, 1955 on page 3.

Former Yoakum Mother Dies In Birth of Triplets

Mrs. Louis B. Vieman, 39, the former Miss Dorothy House of Yoakum, died in Washington, D. C., last Friday while giving birth to triplets at Walter B. Reed Hospital.

The triplets were delivered dead several minutes after the mother died.

Funeral services for all four were held at Yoakum Tuesday afternoon at the Methodist Church, with burial in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Mrs. Vieman was the wife of Lt. Col. Louis B. Vieman. She was with him during part of his service in Korea and on their return home had published a book describing Korean life.

Transcribed by Sharon Sutton

VICTOR VOELKEL

Tribune Herald, 16 June 1944

Pvt. Victor Voelkel Passes Away.

Death dealt a sad blow to the relatives and friends of Pvt. Victor Voelkel, when he passed away, as the result of a brain tumor, in the Walter Reed General Hospital at Washington, D.C. Saturday evening, June 10, at 3:00 o’clock.

The body arrived here on the train Thursday morning, and funeral services were held at the Kubena Funeral Home by Rev. K. Windecker of Moulton Friday afternoon at 3:00 o’clock.   A military burial, under the auspices of the American Legion, was conducted at the Breslau Cemetery, where the remains of Pvt. Victor Voelkel were laid to final rest.

The deceased was born on November 12, 1907, and was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ad. Voelkel of Breslau.  Before his entry into the Army he worked with his father on their Breslau farm, and later, after his father’s death, he made his home with his sister, Mrs. Bill Petrich, at Breslau.

Surviving him are:  one sister, Mrs. Bill (Landa) Petrich of Breslau; and three brothers, Henry of Houston, Bill of Breslau, and Adolph Jr. ( Kelly) of El Campo.  One brother, Herbert, preceded him in death some years ago.

The Tribune extends sincere sympathy to the bereaved relatives and friends. 

Contributed by Regena Williamson

ERNST VOGELSANG

Shiner Gazette, Moulton News, 10 Mar 1897, page 1

WITTING, Texas, March 7. – After a six days’ illness with la grippe, Mr. Ernst Vogelsang died at his home, near Breslau, Thursday morning at 2 o’clock. He was 62 years of age. The funeral took place Friday at 10 a.m.

Ernst Vogelsang, 16 Jan 1836 – 4 Mar 1897, is buried in the Breslau Cemetery. Contributed by Matt Cross

CAREY W. VOGT

The Victoria Advocate
February 9, 2003

Carey W. Vogt

NIXON – Carey Wayne Vogt, 48, of Nixon, died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003

He was born Nov. 5, 1954, in Hallettsville, to Dorothy Lorenz Vogt of Arlington and the late Charles August Vogt. He was a musician and a Methodist.

Survivors: mother; a brother, Roy Charles Vogt of Fairview, Tenn.

Preceded in death by: father.

A memorial service will be 4 p.m. Monday at Epworth United Methodist Church in Arlington. Finch Funeral Chapel, Stockdale, 830-996-3811

THERESA VALCHAR VOJTEK

Weimar Mercury, 7 Dec 1961, page 10

Final Rites for Mrs. T. Voitek, 75, Held Thursday

Funeral services for Mrs. Theresa Vojtek, 75, were held Thursday, November 30, at Hubbard Funeral Home, with burial in the Bila Hora Cemetery.

The Rev. F. J. Kostohryz, pastor of Czech Moravian Brethern Church of Vsetin, of which she was a member, officiated.

Mrs. Vojtek died at 5:30 p. m. Tuesday at Youens Hospital, where she had been admitted as a patient at about 10 a. m. the same day.

Born Aug. 7, 1886, near Oakland, she was the oldest daughter of Joseph and Theresa Valchar. On Nov. 24, 1908, she was married to Joseph Vojtek, who preceeded her in death Aug. 7, 1948. Their only child, an infant daughter, died June 19, 1924. Her father and three sisters, Antonia and Emilie Valchar and Mrs. James Dusek, also preceded her in death.

Surviving her are her 99-year-old mother, Mrs. Theresa Valchar; six sisters, Mrs. John (Annie) Fojt, Mrs. Vlasta Vojtek, Mrs. Julie Fojt, Mrs. Frank ((Lydia) Roznovak, and Misses Martha and Agnes Valchar; two brothers, Jerry J. and Henry E. Valchar; nieces nephews and other relatives.

For the first few years after their marriage, Mrs. Vojtek and her husband lived around Oakland and Weimar. In 1918 they bought a farm near Schulenburg, where they resided until Mr. Vojtek's death in 1948. After that Mrs. Vojtek made her home with Mr. and Mrs. John Fojt, where she had her own little home.

Pallbearers for her funeral were Jerry and John Valchar, Jaro and John Fojt, Frank Vojtek and Julius Ermis.

FRANK VOLLENTINE

Hallettsville Herald
9 Jan 1914

Death of Frank Vollentine.

After a lingering illness, a part of which time he was confined to his room, dating from February 16, 1912, when he suffered a partial stroke of paralysis, Mr. Frank Vollentine, one of the native born and pioneer residents of Lavaca county, passed to his reward Friday, December 29, 1913, at 10:45 o'clock p.m., aged 62 years, 6 months and 9 days.

He was married forty-two years ago in Travis county to Miss Elizabeth Stubbs, who together with four children, Mrs. Maud Middlebrook and Fred Vollentine of our city, Guy and Claude Vollentine of Breslau, survive. Three sisters, Mesdames Pat Dunn of San Antonio, J. P. Ryan and Sam Smothers of Houston, two brothers, Jake and Henry, of Batesville and Santa Ana, respectively, also survive. He was half-brother to Uncle Jim Vollentine of Yoakum.

The funeral occurred from the family residence Saturday afternoon, December 27th, to the St. Mary's cemetery four miles northwest of town, Father Kiefer of the Catholic church, conducting the services, Mr. Vollentine being a member of the Catholic faith.

Mr. Vollentine was born near Breslau, spending many years of his life on the farm in that section, moving to our city with his family twenty-three year ago, and had since that time resided here.

He was a son of the late Henry Vollentine, Sr., who settled in the county in the early forties and who was the original grantee of the Vollentine league, said league now consisting of the most valuable farming and pasture land in the county.

Mr. Vollentine was of friendly and cheerful disposition and during the greater part of his life, a man of energy and rugged hardihood, member of a family who have had a large share in the placing of Lavaca county from a sparsely settled undeveloped section into one of the best counties of the State, improved lands, peopled by a thriving citizenship.

Peace to his ashes!

SOPHIE LAAS von BIEBERSTEIN

Halletsville Herald
25 Aug 1892

PLEASANT GROVE

We regret to state that Mrs. Reibenstein [sic.] died on the 16th of August. The deceased was a sister of Messrs. Henrry, Chris., John and Chas. Laas, and mother of Mrs. Franke. She reached the old age of 66 years and 19 days. A procession followed her coffin to the grave. She was buried in the Lutheran cemetery near Sublime. Rev. C. Geiger preached the funeral services. She is in that glorious land of the blest where we all shall rest, and she is also on that beautiful shore where parting will come no more.

CEDAR TREE.

Peggy Neill provided the information that the surname was actually von Bieberstein.

ROYCE (GENE) VORNSAND

Weimar Mercury, 11 Aug 1966

Lavaca Man, 30, Ruled Suicide

Hallettsville—Royce (Gene) Vornsand, 30, was found shot to death Monday morning, Aug. 8, at his parents' home on Route 2, Hallettsville. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. August Vornsand, whose farm is located northwest of Moravia.

The parents told Sheriff Ronnie Dodds and Justice of the Peace Oscar Shoemake that Gene had been out all night, leaving home at 3 p.m. Sunday, telling them he was going to a movie.

Gene came home about 5 a. m. Monday, and while his mother was preparing breakfast a loud shot was heard about 6:15 a. m. The parents went to investigate and they found their son in a closet with a severe head wound.

He was shot in the middle of the forehead with his own 30-30 rifle; the rifle lay on the floor of the closet.

Shoemake's verdict was death by self-inflicted wound. (Lavaca C. Tribune).

ELLA KASPAREK MICHEL VRAZEL

Victoria Advocate, 17 Mar 1997, page 10A

ELLA VRAZEL

SHINER – Ella Vrazel, 82, of Shiner died Saturday, March 15, 1997.

She was born Nov. 1, 1914, in Lone Tree in Lavaca County to the late Alois and Frances Hybner Kasparek. The homemaker was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Altar Society and Catholic Daughters.

Survivors: husband, Philip Vrazel; sons, E.J. Michal of Shiner, Glen Michal of San Antonio and Philip Vrazel of Corpus Christi; sisters, Judy Vanderslice and Janie Brosch, both of Shiner, Louise Raindl and Edith Caka, both of San Antonio, Marion Peterek of Corpus Christi and Olga Kusak of New Braunfels; brothers, Clement Kasparek of Corpus Christi and Louis Kasparek of Houston; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by: first husband, John Michal; sister, Frances Kurtz; brothers, Domin Kasparek, Rudy Kasparek and Stanley Kasparek.

Services will be at 10 a.m. today at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, the Rev. Gerry Cernoch officiating.

Burial will be at Catholic Cemetery, Shiner. Buffington Funeral Home, Shiner, 594-3352.

Pallbearers: Dennis Kusak, Gregory Raindl, Russell Peterek, Johnny Kasparek, Johnny Kurtz and Nathan Vrazel.

Contributed by Matt Cross