Donnie Veselka

Donnie Veselka, age 62, of West, passed away Monday morning, February 11, 2013 in West. A rosary will be recited and Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 1:00 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Rev. Ed Karasek as celebrant. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, conducted by the West Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive visitors from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel. Donnie was born May 3, 1950 in Waco, the son of Vlasta (Sternadel) and William A. "Bill" Veselka. He attended schools in West and was a 1969 graduate of West High School, where he was a starter for the varsity football team receiving All-District and Super Centex honors. He then attended McLennan Community College in Waco. He served his country with the United States Army Reserves. Donnie worked for the City of Waco for 8 years, was a truck driver for Central Freight, a dock manager of American Freight and most recently a bus driver for the West Independent School District. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West. He was also a member of the K.J.T. Society #31, the American Legion Post #478, and the West Volunteer Ambulance Association. Donnie enjoyed visiting with friends at the West Tiger Stop. He took several religious pilgrimages around the world including Medjugorje, Yugoslavia. He especially loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Survivors include a daughter, Melissa Veselka of West; two sons, Jeremy Veselka and wife Alli of Corinth and Jeff Veselka and wife Amanda of Arlington; a brother, Bill Veselka and wife Libbie; four sisters, Eileen Thomas, Dorothy Moore-Bailey and husband Delbert, Barbara Luther and Betty Kent and husband Richard; grandchildren, Scott, Colton, Alexis, Jacob, John, Joseph and Adam; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are Mark Veselka, Curt Veselka, Scott Turner, Freddie Kaluza, Colton Veselka, Steven Kent and Dennis Kent. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Volunteer Ambulance Association or the St. Mary's Catholic Church.