Obituaries
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Dr. A. L. O'BRIEN

Shiner Gazette, 25 Apr 1900, page 1

SUICIDE AT YOAKUM.

Dr. A. L. O’Brien Stabbed Himself to Death.

Yoakum, Texas, April 22. – At an early hour this morning Dr. A. L. O’Brien committed suicide. The particulars, as developed at the coroner’s inquest, are as follows: Mr. P. D. Smith who lives at Dr. O’Brien’s home and whose room is near that of the doctor, testified that about 10 o’clock this morning he heard a noise in Dr. O’Brien’s room as of someone moving about and talking to some one else. In a short time Dr. O’Brien went out of the room alone. This was the last seen of him until about 3:30 a.m. when a passerby discovered his body in the eastern portion of the city. A pocketknife, which was proved to be that of Dr. O’Brien, was found near the corpse. There were two stabs just over the heart, two gashes in the left leg near the femoral artery, and the throat was cut almost from ear to ear.

Dr. O’Brien was for a number of years local surgeon on the Aransas Pass railroad, and ranked as one of the leading physicians of the section.

Temporary derangement is supposed to have led him to the rash act.

Dr. A. L. O'Brien, 20 Jun 1852 – 21 Apr 1900, was buried in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Yoakum. Contributed by Matt Cross

FRANK OLBRICH

Shiner Gazette, 1 Dec 1977, page 6

Frank Olbrich Rites Nov. 27

Frank Olbrich died in the Shiner Hospital Friday, November 25, 1977 at 11:35 p.m. at the age of 77 years and 5 months.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 27 in the Shiner Catholic Church with the Rev. Fred Gallagher offering the Holy Mass. Interment was in the Shiner Catholic Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers were Ewald Erdelt, Frank Kubicek, Gerard Kosler, Adam C. Kram, Henry Heger, all of Shiner and Alfred Holik of Yoakum.

Rosary, led by the Rev. Patrick Fidgeon, was recited at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Buffington Chapel where the body rested in state until one hour prior to services.

He was a member of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church of Shiner.

Frank Olbrich was born June 25, 1900 in Schulenburg, son of Frank and Anna (Jurica) Olbrich. He resided in the Charlottenburg community with his sisters until 1969 when they moved to Shiner. On Feb. 24, 1977 he became a resident of Trinity Lutheran Home.

Surviving are three sisters, Misses Rose, Angela and Annie Olbrich, all of Shiner; and a niece, Mrs. Charles (Rosalie Olbrich) Chambers of Brazoria.

Preceding him in death were his father, Aug. 22, 1942; his mother, Nov. 30, 1965; a sister and her husband, Ludmila and Anton Geisler, who were murdered in Montana on May 1, 1926.

Contributed by Matt Cross

ALBINA LAUER OLSHOVSKY

Victoria Advocate, 14 Apr 1986, page 14A

Albina Olshovsky

YOAKUM – Mrs. Albina Olshovsky, 94, died in an Angleton hospital Saturday after a brief illness.

Born Jan. 4, 1882 [sic; 1892], she was a lifetime resident of the Yoakum area.

She was a housewife.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at St. Josephs Catholic Church. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Yoakum. The Rev. Jerry Caponi will officiate.

A Rosary was recited Sunday evening at Buffington funeral home in Yoakum.

She is survived by four sons, Bill S. Thompson of Corpus Christi, Ed Olshovsky and Rudy Olshovsky, both of Danbury Texas, and Frank Olshovsky of Kiawa, Oklahoma; two daughters, Emma Thompson of Danbury and Mrs. Lillie Prashek of Shulenberg [sic]; a sister, Mrs. Emma Orsak of Yoakum; 15 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

Buffington Funeral Home of Yoakum is in charge of arrangements.

Contributed by Matt Cross

RUDOLPH OLSHOVSKY

Angleton Times, 12 Jan 1967

Last Rites For R. Olshovsky Are Held In Yoakum

Final services for Rudolph Olshovsky, 78, were held in Yoakum on Jan. 2, with burial there, under direction of Buffington Funeral Home. Local arrangements were directed by Angleton Funeral Home.

Olshovsky, a 23-year resident of Brazoria County, had lived most of that time in Danbury. He died on Dec. 31, at Woodlake Nursing Home in Lake Jackson.

Prior to his retirement, he was employed as custodian at Angleton High School. He was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Danbury.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Albina Olshovsky; two daughters, Mmes. Lillie Kuck and C. L. Thompson, both of Danbury; four sons, Steve Olshovsky of Corpus Christi, Ed and Rudy Olshovksy, both of Danbury, and Frank Olshovsky of Oklahoma; also three brothers, three sisters and 16 grandchildren.

Contributed by Matt Cross

ALPHONSE JACOB OLSOVSKY

Hallettsville Tribune-Herald, September 26, 1980

Olsovsky

Alphonse J. Olsovsky, 82, of 3207 Wildwood, Victoria, died at 3:10 a.m. Monday, September 22, 1980, in a Victoria Hospital, following a long illness. He was a resident of Victoria for the past 38 years.

The deceased was born Feb. 28, 1898, in Lavaca County, and formerly resided in Schulenburg. He was the son of the late Frank and Veronika Kresta Olsovsky, and was a retired mechanic.

An Army veteran of World War I, he was a charter member of VFW Post 4146, and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Rosary was recited at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Colonial Funeral Home Chapel in Victoria.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Victoria with the Rev. William Halata, a nephew of Mr. Olsovsky, officiating.

Burial followed in Resurrection Cemetery, with members of VFW Post 4146 participating in graveside rites.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Christine F. Parma Olsovsky of Victoria; two daughters, Mary A. Innocenti of Victoria and Veronica Mikula of Houston; three sons, Ben F. Olsovsky of Edna, E. F. Olsovsky of Victoria and Frank R. Olsovsky of El Campo; five sisters, a brother, 17 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Pallbearers, all grandsons, were Mark, Tony, Tim and Frank Olsovsky, and Charles and Richard Innocenti.

Submitted by Sandra Long Anders

FRANK RICHARD OLSOVSKY

The Weimar Mercury, November 22, 1946

Final Rites for F. R. Olsovsky, 76, at Moravia.

Funeral services for Mr. Frank R. Olsovsky, 76, farmer who retired about 15 years ago, were held from the Hubbard Funeral Home, with interment in the Moravia Catholic Cemetery, Saturday, Nov. 16.

The Rev. J. Petru officiated at the final rites.

Mr. Olsovsky, who died at his home here Nov. 14, after an illness of two months, was born in Czecho-Slovakia, the son of Geo. Olsovsky and Johanna Navlud, on April 3,1870.  At the age of 7, he emigrated, with his parents, to Lavaca County, Texas, moving to Colorado County at the age of 20.  On Feb. 13, 1893, he married Miss Veronica Kresta, at St. Mary’s Church, at Hallettsville.  He was a member of the Catholic Church and the K. J. T. Lodge. 

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Veronica Olsovsky; four sisters, Mrs. Louise Kuchar of Shiner, Mrs. Pauline Kresta of Hallettsville, Mrs. Frances Staffa of Orchard, and Mrs. Mary Starrustka of Hallettsville; and the following 6 daughters and 3 sons:

 Daughters, Mrs. Emila Vrana, of Robstown; Mrs. Louise Halata, Hallettsville; Mrs. Jane Leihardt, Mrs. Frances Janak, Mrs. Mary Dreitner, and Mrs. Willie Jo Neiser, all of Weimar.

Sons, A. J. Olsovsky, Victoria; Geo. J. Olsovsky, Houston; and Henry R. Olsovsky, Hallettsville.  Two sons, Julius and August J., preceded their father in death, the former in infancy and the latter at the age of 20.

Thirty-seven grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren also survive.

Pallbearers were six grandsons, William Halata, Benjamin Olsovsky, Rufus Leihardt, Allan Olsovsky, Bernard Halata, and George J. Olsovsky, Jr.; and 2 grandsons-in-law, Edwin Anders and Paul Hellman.

Submitted by Sandra Long Anders

HENRY RUDOLPH OLSOVSKY

Fayette County Record, December 18, 2001

Funeral services for Henry R. Olsovsky, 93, of Moravia were held at 10:30 AM Sat Dec 8, 2001 at Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church in Moravia. Burial was in the church cemetery. Rev. John Peters officiated.

Mr. Olsovsky died Wednesday, Dec 5.

He was born July 15, 1908 in Moravia, the son of Frank Richard and Veronika Kresta Olsovsky. He married Julia Agnes Jalufka June 7, 1932, in Moravia. He was a member of Ascension of Our Lord Catholica Church and member and officer of the Moravia KJT for 51 years.

Survivors include his wife of 69 1/2 years, Julia Agnes Olsovsky; three daughters, Shirley Lintner and husband Bill of Katy; Sandra Shipman and husband Harvey of Brownsbora and Kay Fowlkes and husband Johnnie of Schulenburg; two sisters, Frances Janak and Willie Joe Neiser both of Weimar; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Rebecca Jane Patterson; parents, four sisters and three brothers.

Kubena Funeral Home of Hallettsville was in charge of arrangements.

Submitted by Sandra Long Anders

LOUIS J. OLSOVSKY

Victoria Advocate, October 15, 2012

LOUIS J. "MR. O" OLSOVSKY

YOAKUM - Louis J. "Mr. O" Olsovsky, age 84, passed away on Friday, October 12, 2012.

He was born on December 22, 1927, in Alice, TX, to Louis A. Olsovsky and Frances Matej Olsovsky. While living in Alice "Mr. O" was the first director of the Alice Boy's Club. Through his guidance many young boys in Alice became outstanding young men. "Mr. O" worked for the U.S. Postal Service for thirty-three years, retiring as postmaster in 1982, in Yoakum, and worked for the City of Yoakum Golf Course for eleven years. He was also a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus. He served our country in the United States Air Force as the rank of Sergeant

Survivors: daughters, Janet Pfost (Lyle) of Hempstead TX, Judy Olsovsky, of Yoakum, and Mary Tinney (Skeeter) of Alice, TX, and son: Louis James (Tricia), of Cypress, TX.

He is preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, Marion Olsovsky; his daughter, Jean Adams; son-in-law, Gene Adams; sisters, Frances Wasicek, Caroline Olsovsky, Mary Gibbs, and brother, Emil Olsovsky.

Family visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday followed by a rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home. The funeral mass will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with Rev. Matthew Huehlefeld officiating.

Pallbearers: Toby Grubert, Todd Grubert, Bryan Lewis, Andy Adams, Skeeter Tinney, Lyle Pfost, Ryan Baldwin and John Hayes.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, or Accolade Hospice.

On line guest book may be signed at www.thielecooper.com
Arrangements by Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home in Yoakum, 361-293-5656.

Contributed by Rosemary Ermis

VERONICA KRESTA OLSOVSKY

The Weimar Mercury, June 20, 1963

Funeral Services for Mrs. Olsovsky, 93, Held Saturday

Funeral services for 93-year-old Mrs. Veronica Olsovsky were held Saturday morning, June 15, at Hubbard Funeral Home here and Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church at Moravia, with Rev. William Halata offering the Requiem Mass.  Burial was in the church cemetery.

Rev. Halata is a grandson of the deceased.  Rev. George Olsovsky, also a grandson, was unable to attend.

Mrs. Olsovsky died Thursday, June 13, at her home in Weimar, after a stroke March 24.  She was a member of St. Michael’s Church, the Christian Mothers Society, KJZT, and American Legion Auxiliary.

She was born Dec. 18, 1869, in Czechoslovakia, the daughter of John and Johanna Kresta.  The family came to America in 1872 and settled in Lavaca County, near Hallettsville.  She was married to Frank R. Olsovksy Feb. 13, 1893, and they lived in Lavaca County until 1927, when they retired to live in Weimar.

Mr. Olsovsky died 16 years ago.  Two sons, August and Julius, also preceded her in death.

Survivors are six daughters, Mrs. I. B. (Millie) Vrana of Robstown, Mrs. J. J. (Louise) Halata of Hallettsville, and Mrs. W. J. (Jane) Leihardt, Mrs. J. J. (Frances) Janak, Mrs. Mary Dreitner and Mrs. E. C. (Willie Jo) Neiser, all of Weimar; three sons, Alfonse J. of Victoria; George of Houston and Henry R. of Hallettsville; 37 grandchildren, 78 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Anton Kresta of Moulton.

Pallbearers were Leo Vrana, Rufus Leihardt, James Edward Olsovsky, Thomas Janak, James Janak, Bernard Halata, William Neiser and Ernest Hollas.

Submitted by Sandra Long Anders

GERHARD OLTMANN

Died.

Gerhard Oltmann, a farmer living on Wm. Herder’s place a few miles from Shiner, died Saturday after a week’s illness of peritonitis. While he was lying at death’s door a telegram arrived from Llano, stating that his brother, John Oltmann, had just died there. Gerhard Oltmann was about twenty-nine years old and left a young wife to mourn his loss. He had only been in this country from Germany about two years. The interment took place at the O. D. H. S. cemetery Sunday eve.

Gerhard Oltmanns, 10 Oct 1863 – 4 Nov 1893, was buried in the Shiner Sons of HErmann Cemetery. Contributed by Matt Cross

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ONDRUSEK

San Angelo Standard-Times, December 28, 2006

SWEETWATER - Benjamin Franklin Ondrusek, 87, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Friday at McCoy Funeral Home. Service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Family Catholic Church with burial in Moulton City Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Doris Ondrusek of Sweetwater; and sons Michael Ondrusek of San Diego, Calif., and Richard Ondrusek of Parrish, Fla.

Contributed by Rosemary Ermis

JOHN ONDRUSEK

The Victoria Advocate, Monday, November 20, 1972

YOAKUM—John Ondrusek, 58, of Yoakum, was dead on arrival at a local hospital at 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Death was attributed to natural causes.

He was born Aug. 6, 1914 in Lavaca County, and was owner of John's Feed Store.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, with the Rev. D. I. Dolton officiating. Burial will be in Moulton City Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Wilma Ondrusek; two sons, Lynwood of Austin and Glen Marshall Ondrusek of Yoakum; a sister, Mrs. Ed Koliba of Hochheim; two brothers, Ben of Sweetwater and Charles of Austin.

Pallbearers will be Gene Ondrusek, George Migl, Kermit W. Thiele, Bob Koliba, R. E. Matthew and Gerhard Petering.

Submitted by Rosemary Ermis

WILMA B. SCHODDE ONDRUSEK

Victoria Advocate, The (TX) - July 6, 2000

YOAKUM—Wilma B. Ondrusek, 83, of Yoakum, died Tuesday, July 4, 2000.

She was born March 24, 1917, in Lavaca County, to the late William and Emma Hartman Schodde. She was a homemaker and a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Hermann Sons Lodge No. 90.

Survivors: sons, Glenn Ondrusek of Yoakum and Lynwood Ondrusek of Johnson City, Tenn.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Preceded in death by: husband, John Ondrusek; daughter, Beverly Kay Ondrusek; parents; brothers, Arthur Schodde, Bill Schodde, Warne Schodde and Ed Schodde.

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at Buffington Funeral Home chapel.

Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, the Rev. Gary Goodson officiating.

Burial will be at Moulton City Cemetery. Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, (361) 293-2333.

Memorials: Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

Contributed by Rosemary Ermis

ALOIS S. OPELLA, Jr.

The Victoria Advocate, Friday, December 31, 1976

HALLETTSVILLE—Alois S. Opela Jr. of Shiner, 67, died at 3 a.m. Wednesday in a Shiner hospital.

A farmer, he was born in Lavaca County on May 13, 1909 and married the former Sophie Janak on oct. 22, 1930 at St. Mary's Catholic Church near Hallettsville.

Rosary was recited Thursday evening at the Kubena Funeral Home.

The body will lie in state at the funeral home until 12:45 p.m. Friday when it will be taken to St. Mary's church for services at 2 p.m.

The Rev. Henry Psencik will officiate.

Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

Mr. Opela was a member of the St. Mary's church and of the ciety. [sic]

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Sophie Opela of Shiner; two sons, Joseph P. Opela of Shiner and Raymond J. Opela of Hallettsville; one daughter, Mrs. Hedwig Studney of Columbus, Miss; two brothers, Rudy Opela of Hallettsville and Adolph Opela of Shiner; eight sisters, Mrs. Janice Spacek, Mrs. Lillie Satsky and Mrs. Theresa Brosch, all of Hallettsville, Mrs. Dorothy Fikac of Yoakum, Mrs. Agnes Janak of Boling, Mrs. Mary Pekar and Mrs. Helen Wall of Houston and Mrs. Gussie Kurtz of Victoria.

Submitted by Rosemary Ermis

GABRELLA MELNAR OPELLA

Victoria Advocate, June 11, 2004

HALLETTSVILLE—Gabrella Opela, 80, of Hallettsville, died Thursday, June 10, 2004.

She was born Dec. 25, 1923, in Lavaca County, to the late Louise and Albina Fajkus Melnar. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Hallettsville and the KJZT Society.

Survivors: husband, Jaro Wilbert Opela; daughters, Linda Janak of Hallettsville and Barbara Pavlas of Houston; sons, Joseph Opela and Mike Opela, both of Hallettsville; nine grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by: daughter, Patricia Ann Langenberg.

Visitation begins at noon today at Kubena Funeral Home chapel.

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

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sweet Home, the Rev. Charles Sonnier officiating.

Burial will be at Koerth Catholic Cemetery. Kubena Funeral Home, Hallettsville, 361-798-3271.

Contributed by Rosemary Ermis

JULIUS J. OPELLA

Victoria Advocate, Sunday, October 8, 1972

HALLETTSVILLE -- Julius J. Opela, 66, of Shiner died Saturday at 3 p.m. in a Hallettsville hospital.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and of the KJT Society.

Mr. Opela was born in Lavaca County Nov. 2, 1905. He was a retired farmer.

The body will lie in state at Kubena Funeral Home in Hallettsville until 9 a.m. Monday when it will be taken to St. Mary's Catholic Church near Hallettsville for 10 a.m. services. The Rev. Henry Psencik will officiate.

Burial will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Kubena Funeral Home by the Parish and at 7:45 p.m. by the KJT Society.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Opela of Shiner, two brothers, Jaro of Hallettsville, Leo of Shiner; five sisters, Mrs. Fred Janak, Mrs. Frank T. Matusek, Mrs. Thomas F. Janak, all of Hallettsville, and Mrs. Richard Kutach and Mrs. Jerome A. Pekar, both of Houston.

Note: the dates are as printed in the newspaper. Submitted by Rosemary Ermis

MATILDA CERVENKA OPELLA

Victoria Advocate, Wednesday, August 11, 1971

YOAKUM—Mrs. Fred Opela, 72, of Sweet Home, life-long resident of Lavaca County, died at 10 a.m. Tuesday in a Shiner hospital.

She was born Dec. 9, 1898 in Old Sweet Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sweet Home, with the Rev. V. J. Bily officiating. Burial will be in Sweet Home Catholic Cemetery.

Survivors include her husband, Fred Opela; a son, Willie A. Opela, a brother, William Cerbenka, all of Sweet Home; four sisters, Mrs. Frank A. Janak, Mrs. Joe A. Janak, both of Wied and Mrs. August R. Janak and Mrs. John Matusek, all of Sweet Home; six grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.

Submitted by Rosemary Ermis

SOPHIE RESSLER OPELLA

Victoria Advocate, Thursday, October 12, 1972

HALLETTSVILLE -- Mrs. Frank Opela, 90, of Shiner, and a resident of a Hallettsville nursing home, died Wednesday at 3:15 a.m. in Hallettsville.

Mrs. Opela died in her sleep Wednesday morning after having attended the funeral of her son Julius Opela Tuesday.

She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and of the KJZT Society of Wied.

Born in Breslau, in Lavaca County, Jan. 19, 1882, Mrs. Opela married Frank Opela Nov. 23, 1899.

The body will lie in state at Kubena Funeral Home until 9 a.m. Friday when it will be taken to St. Mary's Catholic Church, near Hallettsville, for 10 a.m. services.

The Rev. Henry Psencik will officiate.

Burial will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

Rosary will be said at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home by members of the parish, and at 7:45p.m. by the society.

Survivors include the husband; two sons, Jaro of Hallettsville; Leo of Shiner; five daughters, Mrs. Fred Janak, Mrs. Frank P. Matusek, Mrs. Thomas F. Janak, Mrs. Richard Kutach of Hallettsville, Mrs. Jerome A. Pekar of Houston and Mrs. Julia Satsky of Austin; 23 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, and one great great-grandchild.

Note: Although it is stated she had five daughters, six are listed. Submitted by Rosemary Ermis

WILLIAM A. OPELLA

Victoria Advocate, Thursday, December 11, 1975

HALLETTSVILLE -- William A. Opela, 67, of Yoakum, died at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in a Victoria hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday in Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sweet Home, with the Rev. Vaclav Bily officiatiing. Burial will be in Sweet Home cemetery.

Mr. Opela was born June 26, 1908 in Lavaca County. A veteran of World War II, he owned and operated a service station in Sweet Home. He was a member of American Legion Post 471.

Surviving are his father, William Opela of Hallettsville; two brothers, Edward of Sweet Home and Julius of Hallettsville; two sisters, Mrs. Hugh D. Brice of Houston and Miss Mary M. Opela of Houston; and two nieces.

Members of the American Legion post will serve as pallbearers.

Submitted by Rosemary Ermis

LIZZIE ORGAN

Hallettsville Herald, 16 May 1907, page 2

DEATHS.

Lizzie Organ, aged 50 years; died May 3 at Yoakum; cause abscess.

WILLIE E. ORMAN

Shiner Gazette, 11 Mar 1903

KILLED AT LEXINGTON.

Brakeman Orman Slips From Sap Train And Is Crushed to Death.

Lexington, Texas, March 4. – W. E. Orman, of Yoakum, brakeman on the south-bound local, was killed here this morning at 10:30. He was standing on the pilot and his foot slipped, causing him to fall under the pilot, breaking his back, neck and arms, he dying instantly. His remains were carried to Yoakum on the south-bound passenger.

Willie E. Orman, 25 Jul 1876 – 4 Mar 1903; son of William E. and M. J., was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Contributed by Matt Cross

EMMA LAUER ORSAK

Undated newspaper clipping

Emma Orsak

Mrs. Emma C. Lauer Orsak, 85, a lifetime resident of the Yoakum area, died Friday morning in a Yoakum hospital following a brief illness.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Gabriel Mensah officiating.

Burial followed in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery under direction of the Buffington Funeral Home in Yoakum.

She was born July 4, 1905, in Yoakum to the late John and Theresa Beneys [Benys] Lauer and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mrs. Orsak was a retired cafeteria worker employed for the Yoakum Independent School District and a member of the KJZT Society and VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Orsak was preceded in death by her husband, John Joseph Orsak in April of 1952; two sons, Edwin and Johnnie Orsak; six sisters; three brothers; and two grandchildren.

She is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Juanita Rainosek, Mrs. Annette Hull, Mrs. Yvonne Moore and Mrs. Rita Arlitt, all of Yoakum; a son, William Orsak of Katy; 18 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Michael, Woody and John Orsak, Charlie, Curtis, Patrick and Chris Hull and Terry Rainosek.

Honorary pallbearers were granddaughters; Vicky Blank, Angie Ferguson, Paula DeBord, Anita Pesek, Elaine Torrance, Vivian Page, Kim Bohac, Amy, Christi and Carrie Arlitt.

Contributed by Matt Cross

FLORIAN ORSAK

Weimar Mercury, 9 May 1913, page 2

Farmer is Found Hanging in Barn

Halletsville, Tex., April 30. — Florian Orsak, a farmer, residing one mile west of town, suicided last night by hanging himself with a rope to a rafter in the barn.

Orsak was in the city yesterday. He gave his wife a bottle of whiskey on his arrival at home and remarked: "I give you this so you will not say I was drunk." Last night he arose, told his wife and children goodbye. This morning they found him hanging in the barn. Justice Peterson held an inquest this morning.

JOSEPH ORSAK

The Cuero Record, Thursday, December 27, 1956

Requiem Mass for Joseph Orsak, 81, who died at his home at 114 1/2 Austin Street at 2:35 p.m. Wednesday, will be said at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Yoakum at 9:00 a.m. Friday. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery.

Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.;m. tonight at Buffington chapel in Yoakum.

Mr. Orsak had been in bad health since May, becoming critically ill Sunday.

The deceased was born in Czechoslovakia October 28, 1875. He moved to Yoakum while a young man. Mr. Orsak and his wife have lived in Cuero for the past 11 years. He was a tailor by trade.

Survivors are his wife; daughter, Mrs. Bill Holdgraf of Cuero; three brothers, Joe, Vincent and John, all of Houston; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Submitted by Rosemary Ermis

MARY __ PAVLISKA ORSAK

Unknown Jan 1949 newspaper

Mrs. Mary Orsak Succumbs at 89

Death took from his earth Mrs. Mary Orsak, Thursday, January 6, at 1:00 p.m. after a useful life of 89 years, 7 months, and 23 days.  She passed away at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Anton T. Vick.

Funeral Services were held from the Kubena Funeral Home, Saturday, January 8, at 9:00 a.m. with a Requiem High Mass following at 9:30 a.m. at the Koerth Catholic Church.  Interment was in the Koerth Catholic Cemetery.  Rev. Leo Pesek conducted the last rites. 

The deceased was born in Czechoslovakia and came to this country with her parents when a young woman.  She was a member of the K.J. Z. T. Society here.  Early in her womanhood she married Frank Pavliska, who died years ago.  Later she married again, and her second marriage was broken some time ago by the death of her second husband. 

Surviving are eleven children:  Mrs. Emma Quast of Houston, Mrs. Mary Tichacek of East Bernard, John Pavliska of Koerth, Mrs. Toney Steffek of Hallettsville, Mrs. Sophie Wick of Hallettsville, Mrs. Janie Stallandske of Baytown, Mrs. Agnes Ferguson of Houston, Mrs. Frances Gratzek of Rosenberg, Mrs. Joe Skyvara of Hallettsville, Frank Pavliska of Bay Town, and Mrs. Annie Sassin of Yoakum. 

Contributed by Regena Williamson

PAUL ORSAK

Victoria Advocate, Tuesday, June 9, 1970

YOAKUM - Paul Orsak, 85, of Sweet Home, died at 5:40 a.m. Monday in a local hospital.

He was born Oct. 14, 1884 in Lavaca County.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Rev. Al Padalecki officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Survivors include a foster son, Emil E. Drury of Angleton; a brother, Joe Orsak of Edna; and two sisters, Mrs. Mary S. Supak of Hallettsville, and Mrs. Agnes Srubar of Moulton.

Submitted by Rosemary Ermis

VINCENT ORSAK

Victoria Advocate, Sunday, Dec. 29, 1963

Vincent Orsak, 93, died at 7:45 a.m. Saturday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Mathilda Baros of 305 N. DeLeon St.

Born on Oct. 30, 1870, in Czechoslovakia, Mr. Orsak came to America when he was 13-years-old. He had lived in Yoakum for 78 years where he was a farmer. his wife preceded him in death on Aug. 8, 1942.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 9:30 a.m. at Buffington Funeral Home Chapel in Yoakum and at 10 a.m. at St. Anne's Catholic Church on Hochheim Highway near Yoakum.

Surviving are six other daughters, Mrs. Mary Hrabovsky of Victoria; Mrs. Rosie Rollin of Houston; Annie Hrabovsky, Otiliea Baros, Emma Baros and Albina Immenhauser of Yoakum; four sons, John P., Rudie, and Charlie Orsak of Yoakum and Louis Orsak of Edna; 38 grandchildren and 77 great grandchildren.

A Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Buffington Chapel.

Submitted by Rosemary Ermis

ANTON OTHOLD

Shiner Gazette, 25 Apr 1900

MORTUARY.

Mr. Anton Othold died last Thursday morning at his home near Shiner, of lagrippe, after an illness of only three days. Mr. Othold was an old resident of Lavaca county and the father of John Othold of Shiner. He was 76 years old at the time of his death. The funeral took place Friday the 20th inst., he was laid to rest in the Shiner cemetery. He was attended in his last illness by Dr. M. L. Eidson, who did all in his power to relieve his suffering.

Anton Othold, 23 Dec 1824 – 19 Apr 1900, was buried in the Shiner City Cemetery. Contributed by Matt Cross

OTTENMEYER

Shiner Gazette, 22 Aug 1895

DIED.

Mr. Ottenmeyer, formerly of Nebraska, died Tuesday evening of last week at the residence of John Luedke of typhoid fever. The funeral took place Wednesday at the O. D. H. S. cemetery.

Contributed by Matt Cross