In Memoriam

5 Winter Driving Safety Tips to Keep Your Family Safe

Even in Texas, winter weather can turn your daily commute into an icy obstacle course. These tips can help you stay safe if you take to the road in the cold.

Winterize Early

Check your car before the weather changes. Test your battery, antifreeze, windshield wipers and fluid, headlights and hazards, heater and defroster, brakes, tire pressure, and tire tread.

Check Roads and Weather

You probably have apps for directions and weather, but you can also get road conditions from the Texas Department of Transportation. For weather tips and local conditions, visit the National Weather Service.

Plan Ahead

Leave plenty of time to get where you’re going. If you can wait for better weather, you should. And if there’s a route that lets you avoid bridges, ramps, and overpasses, take it.

Slow Down, Stay Back

Reduce your speed and don’t tailgate. If there’s ice on the road, you’ll need three times as much space to stop. If you do start to skid, steer in the direction of the skid.

Keep an Emergency Kit

If you get stuck, stay in your car. Keep a fully charged cell phone, charger, and a hand-crank or battery-operated radio handy. It can also help to have jumper cables, a spare tire, flares, blankets, a flashlight and batteries, cat litter or sand for traction, food and water, a first-aid kit, and matches.

Source: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/tips/fivetips-for-winter-driving.html —SPJST—

In Memory of Charlie Joe Waits

Charlie Joe Waits, 79, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 27, 2022. Visitation for Charlie was Friday, December 30 at 10 a.m. at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple, and the service followed at 11 a.m. Burial was at Seaton Cemetery.

Charlie was born September 15, 1943, in Joe Charlie Joe Waits Lee to Woodson and Hazel Waits. He graduated from Rogers High School and Sam Houston State University.

He married Shirley Luksa on September 8, 1963. Charlie worked at Equifax for 15 years, sold insurance, and explored other business opportunities. He had a variety of talents which included refinishing antique furniture and working with wood. Charlie enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing dominoes. Shirley and Charlie had fun going gambling in Louisiana. Charlie loved spending time with family and friends. He valued focusing his time on his kids’ activities from social to sporting events.

Charlie was a 40 plus-year member of SPJST Lodge 24, Cyclone. He served as a sales representative in the 1980s and 1990s. During that time, he signed up many new members into SPJST.

He was preceded in death by his parents Woodson and Hazel Waits; brother letka in Hallettsville. He attended Boethel School and Baldwin’s Business College.

He enlisted on January 10, 1946, at Fort Sam Houston, serviced with Company A, 2nd Basic Training Battalion. He was honorably discharged on May 17, 1946, from Madigan Hospital Center in Fort Lewis, Washington.

Hilmer married Gaye Ann Fahrenthold, on November 22, 1965, and they were married for 57 years.

He worked as a parts manager for Jackson Farm Machinery Company and Paul’s Supply until his retirement. He also helped his wife with the day care for children in their home.

He played the violin with the band Lavaca County Playboys for many years and South Texas Playboys.

He was a member of SPJST Lodge 4, Hallettsville and served as the longtime financial secretary until the lodge converted to direct billing.

Hilmer is survived by wife Gaye; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Julius, Emil, Edwin, Victor, and John Jr. Galetka; and sisters Evelyn Sassin and Selma Grones.

Pallbearers were Ronald Sevcik, Mark Sevcik, Rodney Leer, Neal Schmidt, David Sassin, Gregory Galetka, Jared Steffek, and Ross Grones.

May our departed brother rest in eternal peace.

Kenneth Waits; and brother Larry Waits.

Survivors are wife Shirley Waits of Rogers; son Craig Waits of Temple; daughter Kristie Waits of Temple; and brothers Carl Waits of Dripping Springs and Clayton Waits of Dime Box.

Memorials may be made to Rogers ISD in care of Rogers Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1 Eagle Drive, Rogers, Texas 76569.

Pallbearers were Brantley Waits, Tim Waits, Matthew Waits, Mark Waits, Jeffrey Posvar, and JP Chervenka.

Charlie will be dearly missed by family, friends and all who knew him. —SPJST—

Resolution of Sympathy

The Resolution Committee of Lodge Karel Havlicek No. 4, Hallettsville, on behalf of our entire membership, wish to express our sincerest and deepest sympathy to the family of our departed lodgebrother, HILMER R. GALETKA. age 95, of Hallettsville, Texas, who passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2022.

Funeral service was at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 26 at Czech Moravian Brethren Church of Vsetin with Reverend Dr. Mark Labaj officiating. Visitation began at 12 noon at the church. Burial was at Czech Moravian Brethren Cemetery.

Hilmer was born on September 25, 1927, to John and Theresa Mikush Ga-

Hilmer R. Galetka

Resolution Committee Gayenell Chudej Victoria Zak —SPJST—