Emanual A. Halamik

Emanual A. "Manny" Halamik, age 68, of Wharton, formerly of West, passed away Saturday, September 30, 2006 surrounded by his family after a blessedly brief battle with cancer. A rosary will be recited and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Tours, with the Rev. Ed Karasek as celebrant. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Martin's Cemetery near Tours, conducted by V.F.W. Post 4819 of West. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Manny was born on March 27, 1938, in Mt. Calm, and grew up with his family in West. After working in a variety of jobs and serving in the National Guard, Army, and Army Reserve he moved to Dallas where he enrolled at Mountain View College and earned his Associates Degree in Business. In 1970 he met Jacquelyn "Jackie" Kollme-Hobbs, a widow and mother of four children. After a brief courtship, they married and Manny became an instant Dad. In 1966 he was employed by Texaco Inc., from which he retired in 1993 after 27 years of service and began a hay baling business from his property in Wharton. Manny was wonderful in all his family roles: husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, son-in-law, brother-in-law, nephew etc. In the families he was a part of, either by relation or by marriage, there are very few members who have not been touched in a positive way. His friends will always remember his boisterous laugh, his outgoing personality and his love of life. His interests were many and varied. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, traveling, and working on his farm as well as more sedate activities such as high tech gadgetry and TV sports and entertainment. More than anything, however, Manny loved spending time with his family and friends. The Fourth of July Family Reunions he organized each year brings together several generations from his and Jackie's families and extended families as well as the family of Jackie's first husband. Manny's love of family went beyond just good times. He was always there in times of special need or family crisis, regardless of how far he had to travel, to provide support and encouragement and offered real solutions to serious problems. Manny was a man of steadfast faith and committed member of Holy Family Catholic Church where he enjoyed singing with the choir. When faced with the diagnosis of cancer, he was hopeful for a good outcome. "But if not," he said, "then God's will be done." The knowledge that Manny is now at home with the Lord is a great comfort to his family. His parents, Joe and Lillian Halamik, and his sister, Molly Jane Straten, all precede him in death. Survivors include his beloved wife, Jackie Halamik of Wharton; their children and spouses, John Hobbs, Michael and Shidy Hobbs, Ron and Mary Jane Hobbs, and Keisha and Sterling Hickson; grandchildren (listed by family), Christina and Kimberly Hobbs, Abbey, Jessica and Austin Hobbs, Nicole, Yvonne, Savannah, Michael Jr. and Brianna Hobbs, Lacie, Janique, Dustin, Levi, Kalea and Shayla Hickson; three great-grandchildren; brother, Joe Johnny Halamik and wife Patsy; brother-in-law, Al Straten, and aunt Freddie Halamik, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers will be Mark Halamik, Keith Halamik, Joseph Halamik, Patrick Halamik, Lynn Tekell and Mark Allen Halamik. Memorials may be made to St. Martin's Catholic Church Building Fund.