Tofel

John Alfonse Tofel, 67, of Ammannsville, died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017 at St. David’s Hospital in Austin. Born the first of five children to Alfonse and Judith (Lev) Tofel on Oct. 11, 1949, in Schulenburg. He attended Bishop Forest High School, where he played football, was a member of 4-H and drove the school bus. Upon graduation in 1969, he moved to Houston to work at Dresser. He spent many Saturday nights at the Swiss Alp Dance Hall where he met the love of his life, Sherian Zingelmann. They married June 16, 1973 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ammannsville. They made their home in Katy and were blessed with two sons, Michael and David. In 1986, they opened Tietjen’s Store, a country store and machine shop, in Rutersville. John eventually opened J&S Machine in Hostyn. He ran his machine shop until 2002, then went to work for his long-time friends, Rick and Mary Boyle, at Langham Creek Machine Works in Houston. He continued to work for them until his last days. John was an active member of his church and cooked potatoes with his family and friends at the annual Father’s Day Picnic. He was a member of the KJT and the Knights of Columbus. He was a great cook and the head cook on the award winning Good and Ready BBQ team. He loved polka music, tending his garden, raising cattle, hunting and fishing. He could often be found having a beer and playing dominos at Tofel’s place. He was a fan of the La Grange Leopards and Texas A&M Aggie sports and loved to tailgate. He enjoyed sitting under his porch, speaking Czech and visiting with family and friends. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He was loved by so many and will be missed by all. John was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Frank Tofel. Survivors include his wife,Sherian; two sons, Michael Tofel and wife Connie and David Tofel and wife Brianna; two brothers, Tom Tofel and wife Denise and George Tofel; one sister, Angie Pavlicek and husband Gene; three granddaughters, Amanda Tofel, Agnes Tofel and Lillian Tofel; two nephews, Judd Pavlicek and wife Rhonda and Craig Zingelmann; five nieces, Candice Hall and husband Tiger, Gracie Pavlicek, Judy Pavlicek, Brandy Tofel and husband Zach Breth and Courtney Zingelmann; four great-nephews, Aiden Breth, KaKadyn Hall, Kallyn Hall and Mason Kleinecke; and one great-niece Scarlett Zingelmann. Visitation was held on Feb. 22, 2017 at 5 p.m. with a Rosary was held at 7 p.m. Funeral services were held Feb. 27, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ammannsville. Father Timothy Kosler officated. Interment followed in the St. John the Baptist Cemetery. Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home in Schulenburg was in charge of arrangements.