ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
Volume 104 Number 14
H E R A L D
★ Humanity ISSN —07458800
SPJST mourns loss of Honorary District Six Director Matt S. Vanek
Honorary District Six Director Matt S. Vanek, passed away Saturday, March 26, 2016, after a lengthy illness. Funeral mass was held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30 at Ascension of Our Lord Moravia Catholic Church. He was laid to rest at Ascension of Our Lord Cemetery in Moravia with military honors. Pallbearers were David Knapek, Ted Vanek, Jim Nelson, Dennis Zarosky, Arthur Zarosky, and Victor Orsak. Honorary pallbearers were all associates of Gulf Truck and Tractor, RVOS Farm Mutual Insurance Co., and SPJST. Visitation was Tuesday, March 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. Rosary followed at 7 p.m. at Grace Funeral Home in Victoria. Brother Vanek was born in Moravia to Joe and Mary (Tylich) Vanek on March 13, 1927. He served in the United States Navy in World War II. He then started a career with International Harvester Corp for 18 years. He also worked for Gulf Truck and Tractor for more than 30 years. A member of SPJST Lodge 32, Victoria, he served as District Six Director from 1977 to 2000 and as Supreme Lodge Chairman from 1996
to 2000. He was also a sales agent. Brother Vanek retired as a director and agent for RVOS Farm Mutual Insurance Company. He also served as a director of Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange. Brother Vanek assisted Boy Scouts of America Troop 364 helping his sons obtain Eagle Scout rankings. He organized the Vanek Brothers Band which is now known as the EZ Country Band. He was a third generation cattle rancher in Moravia. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, KJT Society No. 115, Victoria; Knights of Columbus Council No. 1329; VFW Post 4116; American Legion Post 166; Hermann Sons; Victoria County Czech Heritage Society; and Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center. Brother Vanek never ceased to read the newspaper, magazines, and books. He was an independent and insightful source of commentary regarding local, national, and world news, and he enjoyed fraternal work. He was devoted to his wife Henrietta for more than 60 years. He is also survived by wife Henri-
N N N N N N N N
Important Dates ...................................3 Interest Rates ......................................3 From the Districts................................6 ENC Job Postings ...............................9 Lodge Section....................................11 SPJST Car Show Info........................20
Continued on Page 11.
★ Brotherhood
Lodge 232, Houston Midtown Organizational Meeting Held at Czech Center Museum Houston
The organizational meeting for SPJST Lodge 232, Houston Midtown — was held Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at the Czech Center Museum Houston. Activities commenced with a wine and kolache reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by a barbecue dinner and the organizational meeting. Members of sister SPJST lodges in the vicinity as well Effie and Bill Rosene, seated, the driving force beas SPJST officials hind the Czech Center Museum Houston, are picattended and shared tured with the newly organized Lodge 232, Houston their support for the Midtown officers. Officers are, Secretary Cathy Rosene Anderson, seated, right, and in back, Presinew lodge. “This represents dent C.W. Roberts, left, and Vice President Clay Zapalac. The lodge was organized on March 22, and its an exciting night home base will be the Czech Center Museum Housfor SPJST in that it ton, located at 4920 San Jacinto in Houston, Texas. marks the organiza- The next meeting is April 19 at 6:30 p.m. tion of the first new SPJST lodge in nine years,” said Five Director Larry W. Pflughaupt, SPJST Supreme Lodge President District One Director/Supreme Lodge Brian Vanicek. “We’re here — all of Chairman Donnie Victorick, State us, this evening — to help make good Fraternal Activities Coordinator Frank things happen for this new lodge. To Horak, District Five Fraternal Activimake a positive difference in the lives ties Coordinator Pat Bruce, District of its members and in this part of city Five Youth Counselor Barbara Lin— the Gateway to the Museum Dis- ney-Gonzales, and Districts Five/Six Fraternal Field Manager Delisle Dotrict!” herty. Words of encouragement were delivered during the evening by SPJST Vice President Clifton Coufal, District Continued on Page 10.
Inside Th is Week’s Vestnik
In Memoriam ......................................21 Youth Section ....................................23 Vestnik Project...................................31 Lodge Calendar ............................35-36 Czech Culture ....................................37 Advertisements .................................39
April 6, 2016
Page 15
S.P.J.S.T. purchases senior living facility in Hillje
N N N N N N N N Pages 32-34
Scenes from Youth Leaders Retreat
Page 37
Lodge 88 Houston member hosts free anniversary dance