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Norman Oshman
Norman Balfour Oshman passed away on Dec. 8, 2005. He was born July 25, 1956, in Wharton, to Ben and Esther Oshman. He was a 1974 graduate of Wharton High School. He graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin in 1978. While at UT, Mr. Oshman was an active member of many organizations including Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity and Posse. He remained a loyal alumnus of UT his entire life and a devoted fan of Longhorn sports.
For most of the next 27 years, Mr. Oshman was an account executive for various media sales companies. He specialized in advertising sales for industry trade journals, including those published by Gordon Publications, Reed Elsevier, Penton Publishing and most recently Trade Fair Group. His many interests included golf, computers and all types of music.
Mr. Oshman’s greatest interest, however, was people and he leaves behind a wide range of friends from all stages of his life. He was preceded in death by his father, Ben. He is survived by the family he cherished: his mother, Esther; his brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Karen Oshman; and his nephew and niece, Stephen and Katherine Oshman, all of Houston.
Funeral services were held Dec. 14, 2005. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to The Norman B. Oshman Memorial Fund at the University of Texas at Austin, c/o Office of Vice-president of Development, P.O. Box 7458, Austin, TX 78713-7458.
Theresa Rugeley
Longtime Wharton resident Theresa Rugeley, age 84, passed away on the afternoon of Dec. 16, 2005, in Norman, Okla., after a long illness.
Mrs. Rugeley had a long and eventful life. She was born Theresa Margaret Matocha on Feb. 19, 1921, in the city of Cameron. Her parents Albert J. Matocha and Tressie Louise Mondrick both came from Czechoslovakia. The youngest of five children, then Theresa Matocha attended St. Anthony’s Catholic School in Cameron and graduated from Yoe High School in 1938. Four years later she was certified as a registered nurse after studying at Seton Hospital School of Nursing in Austin. During her nursing years she took flying lessons and eventually acquired a pilot’s license.
She worked as a nurse in Rugeley and Blasingame Clinic, and in 1949 married Dr. Frank Robert Rugeley, a visionary and pioneer of health care on the Texas Gulf Coast. The marriage produced two children, Charles and Terry. In addition, she cared for the four children whom the widowed Dr. Rugeley brought from his previous marriage: Francis, Frank Robert Jr., Betty and Dudley Rugeley. However, the family’s domestic happiness was suddenly interrupted in December of 1957, when Dr. Rugeley died from a heart attack. Following his unexpected death, Mrs. Rugeley moved with her sons to her longtime residence at 216 Circle Drive, where she lived until 2004, when she changed residence to Oklahoma to be closer to her family. Heir to the Czech ethic of hard work, she struggled diligently to provide a good upbringing for her sons and to care for her elderly aunt Amelia Mondrick, who lived with the family until the latter’s death in 1967. She served for several years as health nurse for Wharton County, then in 1970 began a new and 20-year long career as the indispensable secretary at Holy Family Catholic Church. Among many other acts of community service, Mrs. Rugeley supervised Cub Scouts and worked in blood drives, and a was a tireless contributor to philanthropic causes such as the Salesian Order’s India Mission, St. Joseph’s Indian School of South Dakota and Foot and Mouth Painters of America.
In addition to a life of work and discipline, Mrs. Rugeley also found time to enjoy herself. She was an avid gardener as well as musician, and for many years played both piano and organ for services in Holy Family. In the course of her life, Mrs. Rugeley had the opportunity to travel to many places throughout the United States, including California, New York, New Mexico, Florida and numerous national parks. She also visited Cuba and Canada. Two highlights of her life were the opportunity to see Pope John Paul II in San Antonio in 1986 and her favorite comedian, Bill Cosby, in Oklahoma City in 2004.
She is survived by her son, Dr. Terry Rugeley and his wife Margarita Peraza-Rugeley; by her brother, George Matocha of Sinton; by her step-children, Frank Robert Jr. and Betty; and by many nephews and nieces. She leaves behind many friends, a reputation for kindness and diligence, and a legacy of service to her family and community. For these and many more reasons she will be missed by all.
A service for Mrs. Rugeley will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church on Thursday, Dec. 29, at 10 a.m. Those who remember this outstanding individual are invited to attend.
Mercadeze Waggoner
Memorial services for Mercadeze Autumn Waggoner, infant daughter of James “Jim” and Angela Leroy Waggoner, were held Dec. 12, at Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel in Chanute, Kan., with Rev. Arlin Cochran and Pastor Scott Lemmermann officiating. Burial followed in Fredonia Cemetery.
Mercadeze died Dec. 6, 2005, in Wichita, Kan. She was born Oct. 18, 2005, in Independence Kan.
Survivors include parents; sister, Jade Waggoner of Fredonia, Kan.; paternal grandparents, Dan and Pat Whitson of Thayer, Kan., and Jose and Daisey Delgado of Wharton; maternal grandparents, Bob and Pat Leory of Chanute, Kan.; paternal great-grandparents, Lamar and Henrietta Whitson of Thayer, Kan., and Seferina Delgado of Beasley and Linda Blevins of Oklahoma; maternal great-grandparents, Lois Burt and Myles Leroy of Chanute; and great-great grandmother, Violet Prichard.
Memorials may be made to the Mercadeze Waggoner Burial Fund, c/o Penwell-Gabel Johnson Mortuary, 101 N. Highland, Chanute, Kan. 66720.
Rev. Joseph Koebel
Reverend Joseph Anthony Koebel, age 78, of Nada, died Dec. 12, 2005, from injuries sustained in an auto accident. He was born Dec. 19, 1926, in New Orleans, La., to the late Alphonse D. and Alice Marie Riche Koebel.
Rev. Koebel was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Alphonse, August and Michael Koebel; and sisters, Marie Koebel, Anna Kramer, Caroline Hemelt and Veronica Koebel. He is survived by his nephew John Kramer of Louisiana and many dear friends.
He attended St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, La., and St. Mary Seminary in La Porte. Rev. Koebel was ordained a priest on May 29, 1954, at St. Mary Seminary Chapel in La Porte. He celebrated his golden Jubilee Mass on June 6, 2004, at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Nada.
Rev. Koebel served as Parochial Vicar at St. Mary’s in Port Arthur 1954, St. Anthony in Beaumont 1954 to 1960, St. Vincent De Paul in Houston 1960 to 1964 and Blessed Sacrament in Houston 1964 to 1967.
He served as Pastor for St. Mary’s in La Porte 1967 to 1979, Holy Family in Wharton and St. Joseph Mission in Boling 1979 to 1988, and St. Philip the Apostle in El Campo 1988 to 1996. He had been serving as Pastor for St. Mary’s in Nada since September of 1996 and as Parochial Administrator of St. John’s in New Taiton since September 2001.
Visitation was Thursday, Dec. 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in New Taiton. A Parish Rosary was recited at 7 p.m. on Thursday at St. John’s. Friday, Dec. 16, visitation was from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Triska Funeral Home, and from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nada. A wake service was held at 7 p.m. on Friday at St. Mary’s.
The Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. today, Saturday, Dec. 17, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nada with Most Reverend David E. Fellhauer officiating with priests and deacons from the Victoria, Galveston-Houston and Beaumont Dioceses concelebrating.
Interment, will be 3:30 p.m. at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Dickinson.
Pallbearers are David, Richard, Dennis, Timothy, George, Patrick, Donald, Jody and John LaCompte.
Memorial donations may be made to the Rev. Joseph A. Koebel Seminary Burse or to the Rev. Joseph A. Koebel-St. Philip School Scholarship Fund.
Rev. Koebel was a good, loyal priest and a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. He was a dear friend to all he served.
Delfin Marek
Delfin Edward Marek of El Campo, died Dec. 14, 2005, at the age of 88. He was born Oct. 13, 19l7, in Pierce to the late Edmond Robert and Agnes Motal Marek. He was reared and educated in the farming community of Blue Creek, graduated from El Campo High School in 1935 and attended the University of Texas at Austin.
He registered and was drafted into service in the U.S. Army in November of 1940. In August of 1941 he began his basic training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, took Coast Artillery Training at Fort Eustus, Va., and was assigned to Fort Rodman in New Bedford, N.M. He applied and was accepted to OCS and trained at Camp Davis, N.C., as an anti-aircraft artillery officer, with rank of 2nd lieutenant, then retrained as an infantry officer at Fort Benning, Ga., and Camp Blanding, Fla.
He was assigned to the 15th Infantry Regiment, of the Third Division as Company C executive officer as 1st lieutenant and later 3d platoon leader. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry at Nuremberg, Germany, two Bronze Stars for valor at Rothbach, Germany, and Meritorious Achievement in Action. He served his country in World War II combat operations in France, Germany and Austria until May 1945 and through the occupation period until March 1946, when he returned home.
On Nov. 16, 1948, he married Dorothy Marie Sikora of Hungerford, sharing 45 years of marriage and three children. They enjoyed traveling extensively with family and friends.
He was a member and past post commander in 1947 of the American Legion Post No. 251, member and past Exalted Ruler in 1952 for the Elk’s Lodge No. 1749, member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 2490 and past board member of the Czech Catholic Home for the Aged. He was an active member of the St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, serving in the lay ministry as lector, usher and Eucharist minister. He strongly supported St. Philip’s School education and endowment fund and all parish activities.
He worked as parts manager of Barkley Motor Company until 1958, when he ran for the public office of Wharton County Clerk, was elected without a run-off, and served Wharton County for 36 years unopposed. In 1967 he served on the Legislative Committee for Texas County Clerk Association, helping to get the first standardized fee bill passed. In 1987-88, he was named State Clerk of the Year. In June 1994, he was appointed to the position of County Judge which he held until retiring from public office on Dec. 31, 1994. He always said he felt so fortunate to have served the wonderful people of Wharton County for so long and appreciated their support.
Entertaining others gave Dad much joy, from dressing up as “Groucho” or “Freddy the Freeloader” at parties and parades, to playing the piano, organ or accordion by ear for parish or community celebrations or at home for his grandchildren. He spoke fluent Czech, visited his ancestors’ homeland twice and enjoyed dancing to a good polka band.
Dad was a faithful Christian, devoted son, loving husband and father, caring friend and dedicated public servant. He was a true gentleman, honest, respectful, kind and generous.
He greeted all with a smile, a firm handshake, or a tip of his traditional fedora. He will be missed and remembered by the many whose lives he touched in his own special way.
He is survived by his son, Delfin Edmund Marek and wife Deirdre of Southlake; daughters, Cynthia Ann Marek of San Antonio and Priscilla Keating and husband Bob of San Angelo; grandchildren, Bret Andrew, Ryan Christopher and Amy Marie Marek, Joseph Paul, Stephen Matthew and David Andrew Keating. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Dorothy Sikora Marek.
Visitation will begin noon on Sunday at Triska Funeral Home in El Campo. A parish wake service will be held 8 p.m. Sunday at St. Philip Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Philip Catholic Church with Rev. Gary Janak officiating.
Graveside services will follow at Holy Cross Memorial Park under the auspices of the American Legion Post No. 251.
Pallbearers are Jeffrey Knebel, Terry Marek, Anthony Motal, Gene Macha, Leon Macha, Jack Hays and Frank Urbanic Jr.
Honorary pallbearers are Bruce Marek, Chester Sugarek, and all past and present Wharton County Courthouse officials and employees.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Philip School, or a charity of personal choice.
August Macha
Funeral services for August E. Macha, 96, of Hungerford, will be held at 10 a.m. today, Wednesday, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Wharton with Rev. Gary Janak officiating. Burial will follow in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Hungerford. Rosary services were held Tuesday evening.
Mr. Macha died Jan. 8, 2006, at his residence. He was born on Aug. 27, 1909, in Hungerford, son of the late Frank J. Macha Sr. and Mary Kneitz Macha.
He was a lifelong resident of Hungerford. Mr. Macha was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Wharton and was a former member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Hungerford. He married Bessie Matusek on Oct. 15, 1934, in Hungerford. Mr. Macha was a self-employed farmer and was in charge of managing the family farm from the age of 16 until his retirement in 1982. He was a founding member and former president of the Hungerford Co-Op. Mr. Macha also served for many years as a member of the Hungerford School Board. He helped many rural families get electricity to their homes and farms after the establishment of the R.E.A. While a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, he was an active volunteer for any church function.
Survivors include his wife, Bessie Macha of Hungerford; daughter, Elizabeth Hlavinka and husband, Bernard, of Bellaire; sons and daughters-in-law, Leon R. Macha and wife, Jeannette, of El Campo and Marietta Macha of Midland; six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, August R. Macha, one grandchild, five sisters and four brothers.
If desiring, memorials may be made to the Houston Area Parkinson Society, 2700 SW Freeway No. 284, Houston, TX 77098.
Contact Wharton Funeral Home.
Robert Myska
Funeral services for Robert J. Myska, 71, of Fairchilds, were held Tuesday at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Needville. Burial followed at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Rosenberg. Reverends James Ramsey and Kenneth Mikulik officiated the services.
Mr. Myska died Jan. 6, 2006, at his home after a 16-year battle with cancer. He was born Dec. 20, 1934, in Beasley, to the late Emil and Mary Sablatura Myska.
He married Loretta Stavinoha in 1954 and worked briefly as a store manager for Robinowitz-Stavinoha General Store, W.K.M. Foundry and Wessendorf Lumber.
In 1961, Robert joined First National Bank of Rosenberg as a teller. He advanced to positions of assistant cashier, assistant vice-president and vice-president. In 1970 he was elected to the bank’s board of directors and in 1983 was promoted to senior vice-president, the position he held until he retired in 1995 due to illness. Later that same year, he became the first Mayor of the Village of Fairchilds.
Mr. Myska was active in civic and church affairs and served on many boards. He held positions with the following organizations: Rose-Rich Chamber of Commerce, Fort Bend Easter Seals, Salvation Army, Fort Bend 100 Club, Long Point Coalition, Fort Bend Subsidence District, Fort Bend Board of Realtors and the Rosenberg Rotary Club, where in 1989 he was awarded the prestigious Paul Harris Award. Mr. Myska also was a secretary for R.V.O.S. Insurance Company for 29 years. He was a past president of the Fort Bend County Fair Association. After he retired from the board, he was made a lifetime director of the Fort Bend County Fair.
He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Needville where he served on the Pastoral Council and Financial Committee.
Mr. Myska was a member of the Holy Name Society and the Knights of Columbus Post No. 7067.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Loretta Myska; daughters, Stephanie Whatley and her husband, Paul, and Jena Myska and John Davenport; sister, Mildred Oberhoff and her husband, Wesley; and nine grandchildren.
Gaylan Segrest
Funeral services for Wharton business man Gaylan Segrest are pending.
Mr. Segrest died Jan. 9, 2006.
Alice Greer
Funeral services for Alice G. Greer, 67, of Wharton, will be held at 2 p.m. today, Saturday, at Mother Zion Baptist Church with Rev. C.L. Wallace officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Greer died Jan. 4, 2006 at Gulf Coast Medical Center after a sudden illness. She was born Dec. 7, 1939, in Kendleton to Arlo and Gertha Scott Guess Sr.
She worked as a teacher’s aide in Wharton County and was Baptist by faith.
Survivors include husband, Ennis Greer Sr. of Wharton; son, Ennis Greer Jr. of Wharton; mother, Gertha Guess of Los Angeles, Calif.; brother, Arlo Guess Jr. of Boone’s Bend; sisters, Arlozell Lassiter of San Diego, Calif., and Andrealyn Ballard of Houston; one grandchildren and a host of other relatives.
Contact Pierce Boone Funeral Home.
McArthur Hill
Funeral services for McArthur Hill Sr., 62, of Kendleton, will be held at 2 p.m. today, Saturday, at Wesley AME Church in Kendleton with Rev. L.C. Humphrey officiating. Burial will be on Monday at the Veterans Administration Cemetery in Houston.
Mr. Hill died Jan. 4, 2006, at his residence. He was born Sept. 30, 1943, in Wharton to Jed and Sledann Roberson Hill Sr.
Survivors include son, McArthur Hill Jr. of Houston; brothers, Jed Hill Jr., Joe Hill and Oliver West, all of Kendleton, and Dave West of Houston; two grandchildren and a host of other relatives.
Contact Gooden-Hatton Funeral Home.
George Jenkins
Funeral services for George Jenkins, 81, of Wharton, will be held at 11 a.m. today, Saturday, at Pierce Boone Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Wharton City Cemetery.
Mr. Jenkins died Dec. 28, 2005, at Gulf Coast Medical Center. He was born Dec. 20, 1924, in Wharton to Dave and Edith Williams Jenkins.
He worked as a custodian for the U.S. Department of the Interior until his retirement.
Survivors include brother, Earl Jenkins of Hitchcock. He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.
Contact Pierce Boone Funeral Home.
