James C. Vecera

James C. Vecera was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016. He was 87 years old. James was born to Joseph and Freida Vecera in Plum on Dec. 9, 1928. The family soon settled in the St. John area where James attended St. John School. He was united in marriage with Estella Rabel on Oct. 16, 1951 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Weimar. The couple initially settled in Schulenburg, but soon moved to High Hill to raise their growing family. Throughout their 60 years of marriage, they were blessed with seven children. He is fondly remembered as a hard working husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, and let’s not forget his homemade wine and jerky. Parish rosary was held on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016 at the Schwenke Baumgarten Funeral Home led by Rev. Tim Kosler. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in High Hill with the Rev. Tim Kosler officiating. Burial followed at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery in Schulenburg, and a lunch reception was held at the High Hill parish hall. Pallbearers were grandsons Bobby Friedrich, Justin Vecera, Blake Vecera, Cody Vecera, Caleb Krnavek, Matthew Vecera, and son-in-law Pete Krnavek. Honorary pallbearers include remaining grandchildren Stacy Oeding, Crystal Vecera, Amy Thibodeaux, Lauren Tucker, Holly Vecera, Emily Krnavek and Sarah Vecera, and great-grandchildren Julia Oeding, Hailey Tucker, Evan Oeding, Claire Oeding, Chase Vecera, Anna Oeding, Ava Thibodeaux, Sophia Vecera, Jackson Vecera, Clayton Tucker, Ally Thibodeaux and a future greatgrandchild due this year. He is survived by son Jimmy Vecera, Jr. and wife Mary Jo of Katy, daughter Cathy Friedrich and husband Michael of Schulenburg, son Mark Vecera and wife Barbara of Schulenburg, son Ronnie Vecera of Moravia, son Gerald Vecera and wife Barbara of Schulenburg, daughter Laurie Krnavek and husband Pete of Pflugerville; sisters Rosalie Shimek, Evelyn Janecka, Margaret Kozel and husband Alois, and Mary Muras and husband Albert; brothers Raymond Vecera and wife Lillian, and Lawrence Vecera and wife Clarice; grandchildren Bobby Friedrich and friend Thom Pavlechko, Stacy Oeding and husband Eric, Crystal Vecera, Justin Vecera and wife Rachel, Blake Vecera and wife Cassi, Amy Thibodeaux and husband Bo, Lauren Tucker and husband Carson, Cody Vecera and fiancé Paige Folk, Holly Vecera, Caleb Krnavek, Emily Krnavek, Sarah Vecera and Matthew Vecera; and great-grandchildren Julia Oeding, Hailey Tucker, Evan Oeding, Claire Oeding, Chase Vecera, Anna Oeding, Ava Thibodeaux, Sophia Vecera, Jackson Vecera, Clayton Tucker and Ally Thibodeaux. He was preceded in death by his wife Estella, infant son Joseph Michael, his parents, brother Joe Vecera and sister Freida Bednar. By the family’s request, donations can be made to St. Mary’s Church Restoration Fund or St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.