ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T
Volume 102 Number 32
Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity ISSN —07458800
★ Brotherhood
August 6, 2014
SPJST Mourns Loss of District Three Director Johnnie R. Krizan
SPJST District Three Director Johnnie R. Krizan of West, Texas, passed away early Thursday morning, July 24, 2014, due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident near West. He was 66 years of age. Brother Krizan served as District Three Director since 1997. Johnnie was born Johnnie R. Krizan November 17, 1947, in Waco, the son of the late Ruth (Mechell) and John Rudolph Krizan, Sr. He attended school in West and was a 1966 graduate of West High School. He then received his bachelor’s degree in business from Baylor University. After graduation, Johnnie worked at Young Brothers Construction and various accounting firms before working independently at home providing accounting services. He was employed by the United States Postal Service in Waco where he had various positions over the past 35 years. He also managed the family farm and many rental properties. Johnnie was a member of West Brethren Church. He was also a member of the SPJST Lodge 6, Cottonwood, where he served as a past president, managed the hall, and supervised numerous lodge events, such as the Westfest booth and the annual lodge picnic. He was a sales representative for SPJST Lodge 6, Cottonwood for more than 40 years. As District Three Director, he represented SPJST in many ways by attending lodge functions and meetings throughout the district and state. Johnnie was recognized and honored numerous times for his sales achievements and is responsible for multiple generations of families being members of SPJST today. He participated in many community services, including giving presentations at events and serving as election
judge. Johnnie enjoyed collecting historical artifacts and documents and was an avid Texas Rangers fan and Baylor Bear supporter. He was also a member of the Baylor Alumni Association and RVOS Lodge 46. Johnnie dearly loved spending time with his family, serving as SPJST District Three Director, and attending SPJST functions. The last few years, he devoted much of his time caring for his mother in her later years. Johnnie was a generous, simplistic, and intelligent man with a kind heart and good business sense. He had a positive outlook on life and was always willing to help others. Survivors include sister Jeanette Beseda and husband Gary of West; nephew Matthew Beseda and wife Melissa; niece Leslie Beseda and husband Stephen Nors; greatnephew Lucas Beseda; greatniece Avery Nors; and many other relatives and
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Important Dates ...................................3 Readers Write ......................................3 Interest Rates.......................................3 Corpus Christi Getaway Info ..............4 District News .......................................5 Lodge Section .....................................9
Inside This Week’s Vestnik
In Memoriam ......................................13 Youth Section ....................................15 Vestnik Project ..................................16 Czech Culture ....................................20 Advertisements .................................21 Lodge Calendar .................................22
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Ground broken for November 5, 2009 Fort Hood Memorial
friends. Funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 29 at West Brethren Church with Reverend Curtis Holland officiating. Burial followed at West Brethren Cemetery. The family receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 28 at Aderhold Funeral Home in West. Active pallbearers were Jody Krizan, Jr., Danny Pavlas, Fred Mechell, Al “Butch” Dvoracek, Tony Pustejovsky, Michael Marek, Harry Svacek, and Frank Andrle. Honorary pallbearers were Joe Krizan, Sr., Jerome Polansky, Paul Polansky, Joe Perez, Henry and Lou Blahuta, SPJST Lodge 6 Officers, and SPJST Supreme Lodge Officers and Directors. Memorials may be made to the Czech Heritage Museum in Temple or SPJST Lodge 6, Cottonwood. District Three is also asking for memorial donations to establish an endowed scholarship in Brother Krizan’s honor and memory. See page 8 for more information. See a special photo tribute of Johnnie on pages 6 and 7 of this week’s Vestnik. —SPJST— TOP LEFT PHOTO: Johnnie holds a picture of his father alongside sister Jeanette Beseda and mother Ruth Krizan at Ruth’s 90th birthday party in 2005. BELOW LEFT PHOTO: Johnnie with his cousin Jody Krizan at Westfest. TOP RIGHT PHOTO: Johnnie working in the Lodge 6, Cottonwood booth at Westfest. ABOVE PHOTO: Johnnie with 2005 State Queen Rachel Hunter of Lodge 25, Ennis.
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Lodge 79 Corpus Christi: kolaches ready for getaway
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Lodge 29 Taylor Youth Club visits SPJST Home Office