Bernard A. Kocian

Bernard A. Kocian, age 78, of West, passed away early Monday morning, December 19, 2005 at St. Catherine's Center in Waco. A rosary will be recited 10:00 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:15 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption with Rev. Ed Karasek as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery near West. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Mr. Kocian was born July 30, 1927 in West, the son of August Rudolph and Anna (Nors) Kocian. He attended St. Mary's School in West. On May 15, 1948, he was united in marriage to Ruby Lorena Schroeder in Waco. Bernard was a self-employed carpenter and had worked for Glenn Cantrell Construction Company and the City of Waco until his retirement in 1986. After his retirement, he and his wife had worked as a janitor for the West Fraternal Auditorium for over five years. He loved the outdoors, working with his hands and raising cattle. The grandchildren held a special place in his heart and he enjoyed spending time with them. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West and S.P.J.S.T. Lodge No. 66 in Waco. A grandson, Robert August Kocian; two brothers, Albin Kocian and infant George Kocian; and five sisters, Ruby Moncrief, Hattie Kocian, Willie Mae Volcik, Tracy Schroeder and infant Annie Kocian, all precede him in death. Survivors include his beloved wife of 57 years, Ruby Kocian of West; two sons, Roger Kocian and wife Velma of Bellmead and Michael Kocian and wife Sandra of Kingwood; four daughters, Alinda Fickel and husband Kenneth of Hewitt, Lydia Itani and husband Mohamad Ali of Rowlett, Delores Jones and husband Robert of Arrayo Grande, CA, and Elaine Shipley and husband Harry of Parker, CO; two brothers, August Kocian and wife Evelyn and Walter Kocian, all of West; one sister, Irene Wolf and husband Floyd of West; fifteen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Fickel, Mohamad Ali Itani, Robert Jones, Harry Shipley, David Fickel, Ronnie Snapka, Travis Itani and Rami Itani. Memorials may be made to the Providence Hospice.