"CHANGING TO MEET
VESTNIK
ik
THE CHANGING NEEDS OF
FRATERNALISTS"
SPJST Herald Official Organ Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order Of The State Of Texas, Founded 1897 HUMANITY
BENEVOLENCE
BROTHERHOOD
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 0: SUPREME LODGE, SPJST, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 ISSN-07458800 VOLUME 80 NUMBER 29
SPJST Member Reaches Grand Age Of 96
Howard Leshikar, President of SPJST (left), presenting check to Dr. Jerry
G. Bawcom, President of University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
"SPJST Contributes $1,000 to UMHB Central Texas Annual Fund" Belton, Texas---The President of Supreme Lodge of the Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas (SPJST), Howard Leshikar presented a $1,000 check to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Central Texas Annual Fund. The Central Texas Annual Fund supports scholarships at UMHB," said Randy O'Rear, Director of Development.
Mr. Frank L. Shenkir, a member of SPJST Lodge No. 47 (Seaton Star), reached the grand age of 96 on July 10, 1992. He was honored at Seaton Star during the May meeting with a host of relatives and Lodge 47 members attending the celebration. District II Director Willie E. Kohutek, his son-in-law, presented a certificate to Brother Shenkir. He was presented a gift of dominoes by the lodge and a beautifully decorated cake by Judy Pechal. This was followed with a delicious meal, hosted by Lodge 47. Brother Shenkir joined the SPJST on 21, 1923 at the (then active) Lodge No. 69, Novo Osada (New Colony); when the lodge disbanded, he transferred to Lodge 47 on January 1, 1972. Frank Shenkir was born in Elgin, Texas to John and Frances (Dusek) Shenkir, the fourth of 10 children; one younger sister, Ella Ruzicka, lives in Dime Box. His parents moved the
July 22, 1992
family from Elgin to New Colony near Rogers in 1903, traveling with horses and wagons. The trip took several days! The family lived in the area, never moving away from the original farm. Brother Frank served in World War I for a short time and returned to the New Colony area where he farmed. On April 6, 1926 he married Mary Ruzicka. They continued farming in the same area. To help support the family, he worked as a guard at the Veterans Hospital in Temple during World War II and later worked at the cotton gins in the area. He retired from farming at the age of 65, but continued helping his son-in-law and then later grandsons with their farming. He finally realized his lifelong dream; to have time to go fishing whenever the fish were biting. This he enjoyed very much. Failing health forced them to give up their home and go to a nursing home. Mr. Shenkir's family consist of his wife, Mary Shenkir; daughter, Adeline E. Willie son-in-law, Kohutek; Kohutek; son, Franklin Shenkir; daughter-in-law, Phyllis Shenkir (all (Continued on Page 3)
"The SPJST Scholarship program is enhanced by our relationship with UMHB," said Howard Leshikar. "The University of Mary HardinBaylor is honored that an organization such as the SPJST would provide assistance and support of UMHB and we are pleased to be a part of this mutually beneficial relationship," said Dr. Jerry G. Bawcom, President of UMHB. FRANK SHENKIR being presented a certificate by his son-in-law, Willie E. Kohutek. Also seated include, L to R: Adeline Kohutek, daughter; and son, Franklin Shenkir and daughter-in-law, Phyllis Shenkir. Standing are grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all members of SPJST Lodge No. 47 at Seaton.
Youth Spectacular Hig, Lights At SPJST Convention STATE YOUTH DIRECTOR (center) sharing the evening with the young people of our SPJST who participated in the Mr/Miss SPJST contest in Victoria, L to R: SPJST State Queen Bridget Schwartz, Miss SPJST of the XXVI Convention Lori Everett, SYD Joni Lange, Mr. SPJST of the XXVI Convention Michael Morris, SPJST State King Tommie Rieger and State Duke Chad Tallas. (More Photos on Page 7)
HONOREE FRANK SHENKIR, age 96, with District II Director Willie E. Kohutek (left); and Seaton Lodge No. 47 Officers, Dorothy Pechal, Lucy Mihatsch, Dolores Skrabanek, Calvin Skrabanek, Ruth Hanusch, Tim Reese and Wallace Jez. Mr. Shenkir was also honored with a beautiful cake decorated by Judy Pechal.