System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!LASKOWSKI
Paul J. Laskowski, 98, of Bandera, died Thursday, August 14, at his residence on English Crossing Rd.
He was born in Gonzales, on Jan. 23, 1905 to Annie (Brozozowski) and Felix Laskowski.
Affectionately called "Appie" by his grandchildren and close friends, he was a great story-teller, and often told of moving from Gonzales, to Bandera, over 85 years ago when the trip took four days by covered wagon.
He settled in the English Crossing area, where he ranched.
On July 1, 1936, he married Beatrice Rose Jureczki in Bandera, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, where they have remained devoted members through the years.
He was active in the restoration of St. Joseph's Catholic School and the church's museum.
Mr. Laskowski was loyal to his family, friends, church, and community.
He was an excellent carpenter, and there are many homes and other buildings in the area that were constructed with his expertise and under his supervision as he patiently taught others carpentry skills.
He also assisted youth with their show animals and was an active 4-H supporter.
His employment career terminated following completion of his work for the Bandera County Appraisal District at the courthouse in the 1970s.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Beatrice Laskowski, of Bandera, daughters, Gladys Schmidt and husband, Johnie, of Bandera, and Betty D'Spain and husband, Kenneth of Green River, Wyoming, sons, Edward Paul Laskowski and wife, Annette, of Montgomery, and Thomas Laskowski and wife, Jan, of Pahrump, Nevada, sister, Sophie Annie Laskowski Mazurek of Pipe Creek, 14 grandchildren, Vivian, Greg, Timmy, and Daniel Schmidt, Lori Kiolbassa, Kenny, Rodney, and Bobby D'Spain, Daphne Houlihan, Eddie and Jason Laskowski, Tamby Ewing, Shane Laskowski, and Shelly Peterson, and 22 great-grandchildren.
A rosary was held at Grimes Chapel Sunday, August 17, at 7 p.m. with Bobby Stein officiating.
Funeral mass was held Monday, August 18, at 9 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church with Father Damian Tomiccek as celebrant.
Interment followed in the Catholic Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers were grandsons, Gregory, Timothy, and Daniel Schmidt, Jason, Eddie, and Shane Laskowski, Kenny, Rodney, and Bobby D'Spain, and great-grandsons Zackory, Brayton, and Kade Schmidt, Tyler, Andrew, Taylor, Matt, Ethan, Keenan, and Kendrick D'Spain, and Christopher Laskowski.
Named as honorary pallbearers were Lou Mack, Gary Johnston, Johnie Schmidt, Kenneth D'Spain, James Duff, Wayne Wharton, Arkey Blue, Chris Kiolbassa, Dave Houlihan, Bryan Ewing, and Jody Peterson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catholic Church Restoration, in care of Father Stan Oleksy.
Grimes Funeral Chapel of Bandera, was in charge of arrangements.
Byrl Bierschwale
Byrl Bierschwale, 80, of Medina, died Friday, June 11, 2004 at his residence.
He was born Sept. 23, 1923 in Harper, Texas, to Garrett Lee and Claudia Ezell Bierschwale.
Byrl served in the Navy during World War II and was honorably discharged on Aug. 16, 1946.
On March 12, 1952, he married Cora Lou "Corky" Moseley who preceded him in death on Oct. 26, 1998.
He was a member of Masonic Lodge #1429 of Helotes, for 29 years, worked for the Texas Rodent and Predatory Animal Control Service from March 1954 until March 1979, and he was an active member of the Medina Livestock and Wildlife Management Association.
Survivors include three sisters, Pat Fries of Bandera, Dorothy Clair of San Angelo, and Ezell Lackey of Center Point, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Reba Bowers and one brother, Carl Bierschwale.
Graveside services were Sunday, June 13, at West Prong Cemetery off FM 337 out of Medina, with Rev. Bill Moseley officiating.
Memorials may be made to Vista Care Hospice and/or the Medina Livestock and Wildlife Management Association.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.
Inez S. Barton Monsees
Mrs. Inez S. Barton Monsees, Age 91, of Utopia, Texas, died on Saturday, June 12, 2004, at her residence.
Graveside services were Tuesday, June 15 at Rosehill Cemetery in Corpus Christi.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.
Ernest Mazurek, Sr.
Ernest Mazuerk, Sr. of Comfort, died Wednesday, June 9, 2004 at Audie Murphy Memorial Veteran's Hospital in San Antonio.
He was 85 years old.
Mr. Mazurek was born Sept. 25, 1918 in Bandera County to Victor and Adolphina Postert Mazurek.
He married Mary Alice Mazurek of Comfort, on Dec. 31, 1946 in San Antonio.
Mr. Mazurek worked as a pipe fitter.
He was in the United States Army in World War II.
He was inducted into the Army March 18, 1941 and received an honorable discharge.
On Sept. 14, 1945 he received a Purple Heart; EAMEC Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars; American Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal.
The sergeant was captured and imprisoned for 412 days.
Mr. Mazurek was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Adolphina (Postert) Mazurek and five brothers, Robert, Charles, Adolph, Herman and Gilbert.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Alice Mazurek; one son and three daughters with spouses, Lola and Ron Roseberry of Fredericksburg; Linda Mae Miller of Fredericksburg; Barbara Wilson of Boerne; Ernest and Ellen Mazurek of Bulverde; three sisters, Edith (Ida) Kalka of Bandera, Josephine Ruede of Lake Hills, and Freda Mae Woods of Boerne; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Vigil and prayer services were held Friday, June 11 at Schaetter Funeral Home Chapel in Comfort.
Services officiated by Father Jim Cashin were held Saturday, June 12 at Sacred Heart Church in Comfort.
Pallbearers were Keith Wilson, Kelly Wilson, Stanley Tschirhart, Adolph Mazurek, Leslie Kalka and William Hoesen.
Interment was at Comfort Cemetery with military honors.
Arrangements were made by Schaetter Funeral Home of Fredericksburg and Comfort.
ARTHUR H. ERFURT
Arthur H. Erfurt, age 82 of Tarpley, died Tuesday, May 25 in a Kerrville hospital.
He was born on July 28, 1921 in Tarpley, to Henry William and Ella Vollmering Erfurt.
On Aug. 6, 1947, he married Georgia Mae Anderson in Hondo.
Mr. Erfurt served his country by joining the Navy during World War II.
He owned and operated Erfurt Construction, was a member of Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Cattlemen's Association, a member of Bandera Masonic Lodge #1123, member of American Legion, and the VFW.
He was a former Bandera ISD School Board Member and he owned Erfurt Tarpley General Store form 1957-1978.
In addition to his wife, Georgia Mae of Tarpley, survivors include two daughters, Ella Mae Sandidge and husband, Dan of Tarpley, and Marcia Short and husband, Les of Bandera; son, Artie Erfurt and wife, Bunny of Bandera; sister, Hilda Caldwell and husband, Jack of Adkins, AR; two brothers, Leroy Erfurt and wife, Lois of Bandera, and Robert Erfurt and wife, Charlotte of Bandera; four grandchildren, Matt Sandidge and wife, Angela, Carrie Sandidge, Sara D'Spain and husband, Travis, and Lauryn Erfurt; two grandchildren, Logan and Delaney Sandidge, and one on the way, Georgia Ann D'Spain; special nephew, Rick Anderson and wife, Claire Jo and numerous other nieces and nephews.
Services were Friday, May 28 at Grimes Chapel, with Mr. Martin Smith officiating.
Interment followed in the Tarpley Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be David Erfurt, Howard Billings, Darrell Wehmeyer, Gerald Wehmeyer, Joe Hearn and Glynn Rainey.
Memorials may be made to the Tarpley Volunteer Fire Department and/or the Kidney Foundation.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.
Clark Aylsworth
Mr. Clark Aylsworth, age 84, of Pipe Creek, passed away Tuesday, June 8 in a San Antonio hospital.
He was born April 4, 1920 in St. Joseph, Missouri, to George Allyn and Jody Clark Aylsworth.
On June 18, 1976, he married Ann MacManus in San Antonio.
Clark had a great affinity with animals, especially horses all his life.
Over 20 years ago, he and his wife, Ann, developed one of the finest Clydesdale breeding stables in the USA, "Twin Creek Clydesdales."
Prior to retiring and developing Twin Creek Clydesdales, he was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Global Investors (formerly United Services Advisors, Inc.), a multi-million dollar mutual fund complex which was instrumental in making gold investments available to the average investor.
He retired from the US Air Force after 28 years service with several medals and commendations including the Distinguished Flying Cross.
He had a Bachelor's Degree from the University of California at Berkley, and a Master's Degree from Texas A&M.
Survivors include two daughters, Nicole Monique Gasper of Baltimore, MD, and DeAnn Ellisor of Columbia, South Carolina; sons, Clark A. Aylsworth of Wimberley, and Jeff Drake and wife, Anne of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; nine grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ann on Oct. 18, 2002.
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, June 12 at 1 p.m. at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church with Father Rick Dunham officiating.
Interment will follow in the Episcopal Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Animal Defense League of San Antonio and/or the Brighter Days Horse Refuge of Pipe Creek.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to GRIMES FUNERAL CHAPELS of Bandera.
MARY MENDEZ
Mary Mendez, age 75 of Bandera, passed away Thursday, May 13 at her home in Bandera.
She was born Sept. 21, 1928 in San Antonio.
For many years, Mary worked for Montgomery Ward in San Antonio.
She became a housewife and homemaker when her children were born.
Mary is survived by her son, Ray A. Mendez of Bandera; grandchildren, Jennifer Cervantes and husband, Charlie, Stefan Erfurth and wife, Vanessa, and Jonathan Erfurth.
Also, three great-grandchildren, Sage Cervantes, Ethan Erfurth and Lauralei Erfurth, and numerous brothers and sisters.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Anthony Mendez, and a daughter, Mary Lou Mendez.
Mass was Tuesday, May 18, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church with Father Stan Oleksy as celebrant.
Interment followed at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.
PAT BENKE
Mrs. Pat Benke, age 70, lifelong resident of Bandera, died Saturday, June 5 at her home in Bandera.
She was born in San Antonio, on May 5, 1934 to Frank and Loney Langford.
Mrs. Benke retired as a legal secretary and spent her time taking care of her grandchildren.
She was also a member of the Bandera Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #643.
She is survived by her husband, Mike Benke of Bandera; mother, Loney Postert of Bandera; four sons, Eddie Nixon, Jr., and wife, Linda of Corpus Christi, Paul Nixon of Houston, Mark Nixon of Mesa, AZ and David Rohrbach and wife, Nancy of Bandera; seven grandchildren, Kelle Hoelsher, Trey, Kasey, Ryann, and Chayne Nixon, and Kayla and Evan Rohrbach, as well as two great-grandchildren, Leah Jiran and Sindale Hoelsher.
A rosary will be today at 7 p.m. at Grimes Funeral Chapels, Bandera.
There will be a memorial service on Thursday, June 10, at 10 a.m. at Grimes Funeral Chapels, Bandera.
Burial will be in the Bandera Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.
