Matagorda County Obituaries
B
Henry Lee Bachus, 59, Buried Here
Last Fri.
Final rites for Henry Lee Bachus, 59, were held last Friday at the Palacios Funeral Home with the Rev. Rayford Harris officiating.
A native of Five Points, Ala., Mr. Bachus died suddenly last Thursday morning. Born on December 31, 1891, Mr. Bachus moved to Temple at an early age and served on the fire department there for 28 years.
He came to Palacios in 1941 as chief of the Camp Hulen Fire Department and served there five years.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Edna Mae Bachus, one daughter, Mrs. Russell Williams of Palacios, and two sons, Joe E. Bachus of Houston and H. L. Bachus, Jr. of Palacios, and his mother and four brothers.
Relatives and friends here for the final services were Mrs. Anna F. Bachus and Ernest Bachus of Temple; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Bachus of Mexia, Frank Bachus of Somerville, Claude Bachus of San Angelo, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Robison and son of Prairie Hill, John G. Robison of McGregor, Mrs. Ben Lane of Mart, and Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Kealey of Prairie Hill.
Interment was in Palacios Cemetery.
Palacios Beacon,
December 28, 1950
Funeral services for Carl M. Backen, 64, a resident here since 1923, were scheduled to be held from the Palacios Funeral Home today (Thursday) at 2:30 p. m.
Mr. Backen died here Wednesday morning.
Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Bertha Backen; one son, Roy Keith Backen of Old Ocean; one sister, Mrs. Edna Dale of Los Angeles, Cal.; and one brother, Roy E. Backen of Glenco, Minn.
Services will be conducted by the Rev. Rayford Harris and the Rev. Earl Price.
Burial will be in Palacios Cemetery.
Palacios Beacon,
February 8, 1951
Carl Backen, Jr., Dies In
Honolulu
A message Tuesday morning from Honolulu conveying the news that Carl Backen, was dead came as a great shock to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Backen and their many friends.
On January 4 he had undergone an operation for an ulcerated stomach and a friend of his had kept his parents informed as to his condition. The latest report was of his improvement and told them not to worry, that he was thought to be recovering nicely. The message Tuesday stated he died Sunday, Feb. 4.
Carl was twenty-seven years old. He was born in Cameron, but moved here when just a young boy and attended our schools. After graduation with the class of 1935, he joined the Navy and spent six years in that service. For the past few years he has been employed in an Airplane Propeller shop in Honolulu.
We join the many friends in extending to the bereaved family our deepest sympathy in this hour of great sorrow.
Palacios Beacon, February 8, 1945
Lillian Marie Baldwin, aged 10 months and 16 days, baby daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Baldwin, who had been ill for several days with whooping cough and pneumonia, died at 3:30 a. m. last Friday. Funeral services were held in the chapel of the Palacios Funeral Home, Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. R. Paine, of the Methodist Church, following which interment was made in the Palacios cemetery, under direction of the Palacios Funeral Home.
The parents, two brothers and one sister mourn the absence of a dear little one, who brought gladness to their home, but who now has her abode with the one who loved and blessed little children, and said unto them, “Suffer the children unto me; forbid them not, for to such belongeth the kingdom of God,” and is waiting to welcome them, to her heavenly home.
Palacios Beacon,
February 16, 1933
Rites Held Today for El Maton
Man
Funeral services for Emil Ludwig Balusek, 56, of El Maton were held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, in Blessing this morning at 9 o’clock. The Rev. John Matocha officiated, followed by burial in St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Blessing.
Balusek, who had been a resident of El Maton for the past 34 years, died at his home Sunday.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Angeline Balusek of El Maton; his step-mother, Mrs. Rose Ann Balusek of Brookshire; four daughters, Mrs. Rosemary Foltyn, Miss Susie Ann Balusek, Miss Evelyn Balusek, all of El Maton and Mrs. Mary Ellen Jekel of Orchard; two sons, Raymond Balusek, Pasadena and Emil L. Balusek, Jr., of El Maton; one sister, Mrs. Annie Ondrucek of Sealy; two brothers, Anton Balusek of Galveston and Joe Balusek of Freeport, and four grandchildren.
Daily Tribune, July 12, 1960
Funeral services for Douglas “Ted” Belcher, 78, of Bay City are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday Oct. 27, 1997 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Msgr. James Brunner officiating. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Blessing. A rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Taylor Bros. Funeral Chapel.
Mr. Belcher passes away October 24, 1997 at Matagorda General Hospital in Bay City. He was born Feb. 3, 1919 in Lomita, Calif. To John and Laura Murphy Belcher. He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church; a 4th degree Knights of Columbus, a veteran of WWII; retired after serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy then retired after serving 20 years for the Civil Service as a pipefitter foreman; and had been a resident of Bay City for the past 20 years.
Mr. Belcher is survived by his wife Gardina Belcher of Bay City; by one sister, Anita Shield of San Diego, Calif.; and by a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and four brothers.
Pallbearers include Ray Kacal, Dan Stavena, Gus Svatek, Luther Blackwell, Robert Miles and Packy Martinez.
Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Home in Bay City.
Daily Tribune, October 25, 1977 Photo courtesy of Chuck Taylor
Gardina Vavra Belcher
(November 4, 1912 - April 10, 2006)
Gardina Helen Vavra Belcher, 93, of Bay City died April 10, 2006. She was born November 4, 1912 in Caldwell, Texas to Frank John and Johanna Popek Vavra. She retired as dispatcher for Hughes Aircraft in California; had been a resident of Matagorda County since 1978; and was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and Holy Cross Altar Society.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Ted Belcher in 1997 and three brothers Eddie, Franklin and Milton Vavra. Survivors include two sisters Betty Blackwell of Bay City and Alma McKissick of Palacios and a number of nieces and nephews.
A rosary will be recited 7:00 PM Tuesday at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Funeral Mass is 2:00 PM Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Rev. Casey Jarzombek officiating. Interment will follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Blessing. Pallbearers will be Craig Glasscock, Edward Vavra, Luther Blackwell, Kenneth McKissick, Alton Vavra, and Lacy Lowry.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Legacy for all their love, care, and support that was given to Gardina. On line condolences may be sent by visiting www.taylorbros.net. Arrangements with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City. 979-245-4613.
Taylor Bros. Funeral Home
C. R. Beyer, 68, Rites Thursday
Charles R. Beyer, 68, of Rt. 1, Bay City, passed away at Matagorda General Hospital this morning. Rosary will be held Wednesday evening at Taylor Brothers Funeral Chapel.
Funeral services will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday in the Chapel and proceed to the St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Blessing for mass at 9:45 a.m. Interment will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Father Edward Bily officiating.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Rosa Beyer; two daughters, Mrs. John Lejsal of Pearland and Mrs. Don Baker of Bay City; one son, Edgar C .Beyer of Bay City; and one brother, Joe Beyer of Nada.
Daily Tribune, December 13, 1965
Funeral services for Edgar C. Beyer, Sr., 71, of Midfield are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Blessing with the Rev. Peter Higgins officiating. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery.
A rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Blessing.
Mr. Beyer was born Aug. 29, 1922, in Weimer to Charles R. Beyer and Rosalie J. Ripper Beyer.
He lived in Midfield for 67 years and was a retired farmer, member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church and he served on the church board. He was a veteran of World War II and received a Purple Heart in the U.S. Army.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Janie A. Lejsal Beyer, four sons and daughters-in-law, Edgar C. and Connie Beyer Jr. of Danevang, Gary and Glynda Beyer of LaWard, James and Diane Beyer of Markham and David and Samantha Beyer of Comanche; three daughters, Rose Edwards of Markham, Theresa and Randy Strack of Danevang and Donna Beyer of Blessing; two sisters Beatrice Lejsal of Pearland and Dorothy Cartwright of Bay City; eight grandsons and six granddaughters.
Pallbearers are Edgar Beyer Jr., Gary Beyer, James Beyer, David Beyer, Randy Strack and Johnnie Lejsal.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Catholic Church Building Fund.
Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home of Bay City.
Daily Tribune, April 19, 1994 Photo courtesy of Heather Serrill Janise
Funeral services for Rosalie J. Beyer, 92, of Blessing will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Blessing, with the Rev. Peter Higgins officiating. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Blessing.
A rosary will be held 7 p.m. today at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
Mrs. Beyer was born May 26, 1896, in Weimar, Texas to Joseph F. and Anna Macha Ripper and died March 12, 1989, at Wagner General Hospital, Palacios.
A resident of Blessing since 1925, she was a member of the Catholic church.
Survivors include two daughters, Dorothy M. Cartwright of Blessing and Beatrice R. Lejsal of Pearland; a son, Edgar C. Beyer Sr. of Midfield; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, Palacios.
Daily Tribune,
March __, 1989
A Parish rosary for Adolph E. Biskup, 84, of Bay City, will be recited at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 17, 1999 at Triska Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 18 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Blessing with Rev. Peter Higgins officiating. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Mr. Biskup died June 15. He was born Jan. 26, 1915 in Cameron, Tex. to the late Joseph Biskup and Katherine Salac Babik Biskup.
He was a retired farmer, a member of Knights of Columbus, St. Robert’s Church in Markham, and the KJT.
Mr. Biskup is survived by his wife, Lillie Frances Babik Biskup of Bay City; granddaughters, Ginger Biskup of College Station and Cathy Rickaway of Blessing; sons, Adolph Biskup and wife Linda of Blessing and Edward Biskup and wife Kay of College Station; grandsons, Mark Biskup of El Campo, Jeff Biskup of Bay City, Steven Biskup of Nada, Robert Bennett of College Station, and Travis Tatsch of San Marcos; and seven great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Marilyn Biskup; sisters, Angeline Rozner, Agnes Rich, and Millie Kretzschmar; and brothers, Jerry Biskup, Louis Biskup, and Joe Biskup.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Biskup, Mark Biskup, Steven Biskup, Kevin Rickaway, Robert Bennett, and Jimmy Babik.
Memorials may be made to St. Peter Church Building Fund.
Arrangements are with Triska Funeral Home of El Campo.
Daily Tribune, June 17, 1999
BISKUP (MISS) ELSIE M., died Tuesday morning at Matagorda General Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home and mass will be held at 9:00 a.m. Thursday at St. Peters Catholic Church in Blessing. She is a native of Blessing. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Harris of Blessing and four sisters, Mrs. Ella Holub of Houston, Miss Lillie Biskup of Flatonia, Mrs. Albina Dornak of Bay City, and Mrs. Mildred Grieb of Flatonia; three brothers, August Lauer of Texarkana and Bill and Henry Lauer of Houston. Taylor Brothers Funeral Home is in charge of the services.
Daily Tribune, August 8, 1967
Funeral Services Are Held Saturday for Mrs.
Biskup
Funeral services for Mrs. Katherine Biskup of Midfield were held Saturday morning at El Campo, with requiem mass in the Blessing Catholic Church and burial in the Blessing Cemetery.
Mrs. Biskup was born in Europe. Among her survivors are two daughters; three sons, Jerry, Louis, and Adolph, all of Midfield; one brother, Jim Salac of Markham.
Daily Tribune,
___________ 1952
Weston Eli Bowers
August 1, 2008
Weston Eli Bowers, infant son of Darrell and Lindsey Pardee Bowers, of Inez, Texas, was born and passed away on Friday, August 1, 2008.
Survivors include his parents, grandparents Jack and Barbara Pardee of Shepherd, Texas and Walter and Dianne Bowers of Palacios, Texas; great-grandparents Velma Williams of Houston, Texas, Robert and Vergia Pardee of Cleveland, Texas, Lanelle Pardee of Brenham, Texas, Frank and Margie Johs of Deutschburg, Texas. He is also survived by numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.
He was preceded in death by his aunt, Jacqui Pardee, uncle, Bill Dannels, great-uncle Robert Pardee, great-grandfather, James Williams, and great-grandparents, Ray and Helen Bowers.
Funeral services were held on Monday, August 4, 2008, 10:00 am at the St. Peters Catholic Church in Blessing, Texas. The Rev. Gabriel Bentil officiated. Burial followed at St. Peters Catholic Cemetery.
Shepherd Community News, August 13, 2008
COLUMBUS ̶ August Jacob Braden, 86, of Columbus and formerly of Blessing, died Thursday, Dec,. 3, 1998.
He was born May 19, 1912, in Columbus, to the late Frank and Anna M. Schobel Braden. He was a home construction carpenter and was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
Survivors: daughters, Rose Mary Quiroz of Houston and Betty Hubenak of Vanderbilt; son, Bynum L. Braden of Lafayette, La.; sister, Anna McShane of California; brother, Frank P. Braden of Columbus; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: wife, Rosa M. Braden; sister, Ida Kellermeyer; and brothers, Hugo Braden, Hilmer Braden, Henry Braden, Antone Braden, Ben Braden and Edward Braden.
Services will be 2 p.m. today at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Blessing, the Rev. Peter Higgins officiating.
Burial will be at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Blessing. Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, Bay City, (409) 245-4613.
Victoria Advocate, December 5, 1998 Photo courtesy of Heather Serrill Janise
A funeral mass for Rosa Naumann Braden, 79, of Wharton, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church of Blessing with the Rev. Peter Higgs officiating. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Blessing.
A rosary will be said at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home chapel in Bay City.
Mrs. Braden was born Oct. 28, 1914, in Glidden to Max and Ida Emil Naumann and died Feb. 2, 1994, in Wharton.
She and her husband were residents of Blessing for 51 years.
Survivors include her husband, August Braden of Blessing; two daughters, Rosemary Quiroz of Houston and Betty Hubenak of Vanderbilt; a son, Bynum Braden of Lafayette, La.; a sister, Lena Skutca of Columbus; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Prince A. Naumann.
Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home of Bay City.
Daily Tribune, February 4, 1994
Bernice Brdecko, age 8 years, 6 months and 12 days, died at the Loos Hospital Thursday at 4:15 p.m. She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brdecko and four sisters of Midfield, Texas. The remains were prepared for burial and taken to Midfield by Taylor Bros.
Daily Tribune, November 24, 1932
Bernice Brdecko
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Brdecko was saddened last Friday when their little eight-year-old daughter, Bernice passed away at the Loos Hospital in Bay City. She hurt her foot several months ago and infection set in, causing an operation to be necessary, but she did not survive the operation. The funeral was held from the Catholic Church in Blessing Sunday morning at nine o’clock in charge of Father Weber with burial in the Blessing cemetery. A large number of friends accompanied the remains to its last resting place. We extend sympathy to the bereft father and mother and brothers and sisters.
Matagorda County Tribune, November 21, 1932
Photo courtesy of Heather Serrill Janise
Corbert A. “Sonny” Brocker, 34, of Palacios died Monday in Edna. He is survived by his wife, Judy Gabrysch Brocker of Palacios; mother, Mrs. J. V. Brocker of Palacios; one son, Corbert A. Brocker, Jr., one daughter Rhonda Elaine Brocker of Palacios. A rosary will be said tonight at 7 p.m. at Slavick Funeral Home in Edna and funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Blessing with Rev. Jerome Stryk officiating. Interment will be at Blessing Catholic Cemetery with Paul Cooper, Bruce Kay, Donald Glaze, Edward Vavor, Chuck Hasdorff and Rick Hasdorff serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Walter Utz, James Blanchard, Dub Guidry, Willie Utz, Charles Fonden, Andrew Utz, Dick Kubecka, Bill Stuhrenberg, Hensley Weaver, O. R. Kubecka, Sr., James Traiwick, Wayne Gabrysch, Phil Gabrysch, Red Hasdorff and Emitt Etlinger. Services under the direction of Slavick Funeral Home in Edna.
Daily Tribune, January 17, 1978
Services Held Tuesday for J. V. Brocker
Funeral services and Requiem Mass for Joseph Virgil Brocker were held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Blessing with Rev. V. J. Bily officiating. Interment was in St. Peter’s Catholic cemetery, Blessing.
Rosary was recited at 8 p.m. Monday night at the Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in Bay City.
Joseph Virgil Brocker was born February 14, 1901, near Koerth, Texas and at the age of one year went to live in Koerth where his father was a merchant. He made his home in Koerth until he was 18 when he moved to Jackson County where he made his home with his brother until he was 25 years old. He then moved to Collegeport where he was field foreman for the Collegeport Rice and Irrigation Company for three years. In 1926 he moved to the Deutshburg community where he has resided ever since. He died at the Matagorda General Hospital in Bay City at 1:25 a.m. Monday.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. J. V. Brocker and one son, Corbett.
Palacios Beacon, March 19, 1959 Photo courtesy of Heather Serrill Janise
Funeral services will be held for Mrs. Amelia Annie Brocker, 82, at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, 1982 at St. Peters Catholic Church in Blessing with the Rev. Jerome Stryk officiating.
Interment will be in St. Peters Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.
Mrs. Brocker, of Deutschburg Community, died in the Wagner General Hospital in Palacios at 11:45 a.m. Oct 19, 1982. She was born Jan. 19, 1900 in Shiner.
A widow, she was preceded in death by her husband Joseph V. Brocker March 16, 1959 and her son Sonny Brocker on Jan. 16, 1978.
She is survived by her daughter-in-law Judy Brocker Babbitt of Avoca, sister Mary McCord of Deutschburg, two grandchildren, Corbert Anthony Brocker Jr. and Rhonda Elaine Brocker of Avoca.
Daily Tribune, October 20, 1982
Mitchell George Brown and
Matthew Hayden Brown
Mitchell George and Matthew Hayden Brown, infant twins of Mike and Melissa Kocurek Brown, were born June 7, 1995 and passed away June 8, 1995 in San Antonio, Texas. They are survived by their parents, Mike and Melissa Brown of Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Paternal Grandparents, Butch and Shirley Brown of Buckeye, Texas; Maternal Grandparents, Paul and Dorothy Kocurek of Blessing; and Great Grandmother, Ann Ledwig of Markham. Private Grave Side Services were held at 2:00 pm Saturday, June 10, 1995 at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Blessing with Rev. Peter Higgins officiating. Arrangements were with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City.
Daily Tribune, June 14, 1995 Photo courtesy of Shirley L. Brown
Joe P. Bures Of Midfield Dies
Suddenly
Mr. Joe B. Bures, age 57, passed away suddenly this morning at his home in Midfield.
Mr. Bures is a well known rice farmer and rancher and a resident of the county for many years.
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Geo. Knebel Jr. and Mrs. Edwin Kana and three grand-children.
Funeral services will be held at 9:00 a.m. Monday from the Blessing Catholic church with Father Bily officiating. Interment will be in the Blessing Catholic Cemetery with the Triska Funeral Home in charge.
Daily Tribune, August 13, 1948
Mr. J. B. Bures
In Memoriam
By Mrs. W. K. Keller
Joseph B. Bures was born in Omaha, Nebraska, Feb. 25, 1890, and died at his home in Midfield on August 13th, 1948. He is survived by his wife, and two daughters, Mrs. George F. Knebel and Mrs. Edwin Kana, both of Bay City; three grandchildren, George Knebel Jr., Margaret Ann Knebel and Annette Louise Kana; his Mother, Mr. Frances Bures of Houston, and two sisters, Mrs. Conrad Miller of Hallettsville and Mrs. Frank Pokluda of Houston; three brothers, Emil and Charles of Ganado, and James of Nada, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday August 16th at 9:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Blessing with Rev. V. J. Bily officiating as Celebrant, Rev. A. Weber Deacon, Rev. C. J. Martin Sub-deacon, and Rev. A. Maneth M. C. Burial in St. Peter’s Catholic cemetery at Blessing. Pall-bearers: Knights of Columbus, members of Bay City Council – Mr. Emil Ottis, Mr. Steve Kana, Mr. A. C. Kristynik, Mr. Joe Kana, Mr. Ernest Krenek, Mr. John Merriweather. Honorary Pall-bearers: Messrs. B. W. Trull, F. J. Trojcak, Pete Graff, Charlie Johnson, John Kovar, L. L. Chiles, A. R. Mathis, T. E. Cornelius, F. M. Sutton, Bob Trull, Chas. Nemec Sr., W. T. Gunter Sr., Fred Cornelius, R. J. Voorhies, W.A. Malcik, J. E. Cornett, John J. Russo.
Mr. Bures was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church of Blessing, a very active and zealous catholic who assisted in organizing the Parish of Blessing taking part in all the Church and social activities; likewise serving on the board of trustees of the church for a number of years. He was also a member of several parish organizations, Knights of Columbus; K.J.T. St. Isador and Catholic Council of Men.
The Bures family moved from Nebraska to Texas in1891 and settled in Weimer community where Joe Bures spent his boyhood days. In the fall of 1917 he was married to Theresa Brhlik and settled on a farm in Midfield. In 1923 he bought a home in the town of Midfield where he lived until his death. Mr. Bures entered into the real estate business with Mr. B. W. Trull of Palacios, in 1923, and was instrumental in bringing a great number of the present settlers into this section of the state. In 1937 he took over the management of Farmer’s Canal Company in which capacity he served until his death.
Mr. Bures was a man of high christian principles, devoted to his family, a good neighbor and loyal citizen. He had many friends through-out this section of the state attested by the large number who attended his funeral, and the many and beautiful floral offerings He will be missed in our community very much.
Mrs. Bures requested me to express her very deep appreciation for the many kindnesses extended the family in this sad hour. The sympathy and help offered will always be remembered by all of them.
Daily Tribune, August 25, 1948