Bessie Hlavinka

Funeral services for Bessie Theresa Hlavinka, 97, of Wharton, Texas, were held on November 15, 2017, at Holy Family Catholic Church, with Father Bob Knippenberg officiating. Interment followed at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. Bessie died Sunday, November 12, 2017 after a lengthy illness. She was born on October 14, 1920, in East Bernard, Texas, to John and Philomena Pechacek Laitkep, and was a resident of Wharton County all her life. On October 16, 1939, she married Oldrich (O.J.) Hlavinka in East Bernard, Texas. They were married for almost 58 years. He preceded her in death on June 27, 1997. Bessie was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of America, and K.J.Z.T. She was a homemaker and enjoyed her time in the kitchen baking kolaches, pies, and bread. Also, she was an avid gardener and grew an abundance of vegetables and flowers. She loved to write letters and kept a personal diary for over fifty years. Bessie was often described as having a bright smile to greet anyone she met. Besides her husband, she was also preceded in death by three sons, Arnold, Frank, and Edward Hlavinka; four brothers, John, Robert, Willie, and Rudy Laitkep; four sisters, Toni, Annie, Agnes Malik and Mary Dornak. Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, James and Annette Hlavinka of Wharton, daughter, Carolyn Hlavinka of Wharton, daughter and son-in-law, Pattye Hlavinka and Mark Mellen of Galveston, daughter-in-law, Pat Hlavinka of Bay City, thirteen grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks to the staff of Wharton Nursing and Rehab Center, SPJST Senior Living in Hillje, and Houston Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church in Wharton, Texas. The funeral services were under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home.