|
Marek, Bernard Frank Sr. (1924-2018)
Marek, Bernard Frank (-2018)
Obituary
2018
Bernard was born on June 12, 1924, oldest son to Frank Marek and Mary Polasek Marek. He was born at home on the farm on what is now Willow Road. They were farmers and raised everything they ate. Bernard had an older sister, Sydney Smesny, four younger brothers, Raymond, Adolph, Johnny, and Edward. He went to Wallis Public School through the 7th grade. In 1944, he married Annie Laurie Sell and had three children, Bernard Jr., Donald, and Marianne. In 1983, he married Joann Kocurek Marek.
In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S Navy at the ripe age of 16. He worked in the boiler room of a fuel tanker in the Coral Sea. After returning to the USA, he became a mechanic on PT boats. He was discharged in 1945 and worked as a mechanic for Joe Reznicek Black Smith Shop first, then Sealy Chevrolet Dealership, and Frank Peter's Chrysler Desoto Dealership. He became Wallis's first Water & Sewage Department Superintendent, but he continued to shade three mechanic eventually opening up Marek's Repair Shop on N. 2nd St. Also during that time, he was Fire Chief of the Wallis Fire Department for some 25 years. He also operated the Cole Theatre in Wallis 1950-55. He worked as a plumber connecting water and sewer to many houses. He is a Charter member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 3793, and a member of the American Legion, Post 200. During his life, his second home was the Brazos River. He spent countless hours running trout lines with his brothers or any help he could find. Fish was served at the Marek house at least 3 times a week or more. Moving on to salt water fishing, he bought a boat, remodeled it, and named it the "Marianne". Later he started shrimping; he bought a larger shrimp boat and then built his own naming it "Capt. Joann". He shrimped the Matagorda Bays as well at the tip of Cocodrie, Louisiana. He also took up deer hunting and trapping hogs. There was always plenty of food to eat in his household. He is survived by his wife, Joann; children, Bernard Jr and wife, Janie Bednarski, Donald and wife, Patsy Pilcik, and daughter, Marianne Marek; step-daughter, Lori Kocurek and husband, Randy Zalesak; also, sister, Sydney Smesny; brothers, Raymond Marek and wife, Lillian Bartosh, Edward Marek and sister in law, Charlene Hranicky Marek; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Johnny Marek and Adolph Marek; brother-in-law, Charlie Smesny; sisters-in-law, BB Ann Barownaski Marek and Betty Melnar Marek. Memorials can be made to the Wallis Knights of Columbus, Council 3793, American Legion Post 200, or the charity of your choice. |
|
Marek
Bernard Frank
2018
4841
|