Ernest John Holecek, Sr.

Ernest J. Holecek Sr., age 91, of West, passed away late Friday evening, October 21, 2022 at West Rest Haven in West.

A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 27, 2022 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, with Rev. Ed Karasek as celebrant, assisted by Deacon Ronnie Sykora. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, conducted by the West Veterans Honor Guard.

Ernest was born March 19, 1931 in West, the son of John and Rosie (Karlik) Holecek.  He attended the old Aligator School and schools in West. On November 3, 1956 he was united in marriage to Joan Hajek in Abbott. Joan preceded him in death on September 8, 2012. Ernest proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War as a Corporal. He was a lifelong and faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption. He was also a member of the United Rubber Workers Union and a Lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4819 in West. Ernest worked for General Tire and Rubber Company in Waco for 30 years before retiring in 1986. He then worked for the VFW Post and Community Grocery. Ernest enjoyed listening to Czech music, working on his tractor, farming, and playing his guitar, fiddle, and trumpet. He loved spending time with his children, great grandchildren, and his favorite dog, Missy.

Ernest is also preceded in death by his parents and brothers, James "Jima" Holecek and Eugene Holecek Sr.

Survivors include his children, Ernest "E.J." Holecek Jr. and wife Susie of West, Anna Jo Bettge and husband Raymond of West, and Joseph "Gogie" Holecek and wife Lanetta of Elm Mott; his sisters, Frances Osborn and Evelyn Kocian; his grandchildren, Rachel and Daniel Croll, Jeremy and Melissa Bettge, Troy and Kayla Bettge, and Heather and Ricky Palmer; his great grandchildren, Jack, Ellen, Luke, Kate, Jay, Easton, and Bentley; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Active pallbearers are Troy Bettge, Jeremy Bettge, Ricky Palmer, John Holecek, Jason Holecek and C.J. Hajek. Honorary pallbearers are Rachel Croll, Heather Palmer, Kayla Bettge, and Melissa Bettge.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to West Veterans Honor Guard or St. Mary's Cemetery Association.