Franklin Joe Karasek

A funeral mass for Franklin Joe Karasek, Sr., 88, of Caldwell was held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 20, 2014 at Holy Rosary  Catholic Church in Frenstat with the Very Rev. Edward Karasek presiding. Burial will follow in Frenstat Holy Rosary Cemetery. Mr. Karasek died Thursday morning, Oct. 16, 2014 at Burleson St. Joseph Manor in Caldwell after a lengthy illness. He was born Feb. 5, 1926, in Burleson County, the son of Joe Paul and Emilie (Gaas) Karasek and had resided in the Caldwell area his entire life. He graduated from Caldwell High School in 1944 and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served his country in World War II in France and Germany. After returning from his military service, he was a farmer and a rancher and worked at various other jobs, including Nagel Coat Hanger factory in Caldwell. He married Ramona Shenkir

on April 12, 1950. They were blessed with three children, Franklin, Jr., Sharon and Edward. They celebrated 45 years

of marriage and enjoyed gardening, spending time with family, church activities and listening to  polka music.He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Emilie and his wife Ramona. Survivors include his three children, Franklin  Karasek, Jr. and wife Frances of Caldwell; daughter, Sharon Vytopil of Huntsville; son, the Very Rev. Edward Karasek of Lockhart; sister, Frances Baron and husband, Lambert of La Grange; five grandchildren and their spouses, Joe and Katy Karasek of Bryan, Jerry III, and Becky Vytopil of Humble; Jane Ann and Laton Giese of Caldwell; Jonathan and Nathaly Vytopil of Virginia Beach, Va. and Elizabeth and Jeremy Falls of Ropesville; ten great-grandchildren, and another expected to arrive in March; John, Ellie and Anna Karasek; Michelle and Ethan Vytopil; Lydia Giese; David, Daniela and Vanessa Vytopil; Blaise Falls and his awaited brother or sister; and several nephews, nieces and cousins. Memorials may be made to Frenstat Holy Rosary Cemetery or Clerical Endowment Fund. Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Caldwell was in charge of arrangemetns.