Jerry J. Bezdek

Jerry J. Bezdek, age 88, of Abbott, passed away late Sunday morning, January 16, 2011 at Providence Health Center in Waco from complications due to the flu. A Rosary will be recited 6:30 p.m. Friday at Aderhold Funeral Home in West, by Sonny Tlustos and Missie Pustejovsky followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, with Rev. B. George as celebrant, assisted by Deacons Butch Prewitt and Denver Crawley. Military Graveside Rites will follow at Fatima Cemetery near Abbott, conducted by the Ft. Hood Honor Guard, assisted by West V.F.W. Post 4819. Jerry was born July 2, 1922 in Abbott, the son of Joseph Frank and Mary Katherine (Vochoska) Bezdek. He attended the Denton and Treadwell schools near Abbott. In service to his country, he enlisted with the United States Army during World War II participating in the Sicilian Campaign with the 18th Infantry. Jerry received a Good Conduct Medal, European Theatre of Operations Medal, Combat Badge and the Bronze Star, before being honorably discharged at the rank of Private First Class on January 2, 1945. On October 20, 1944 he was united in marriage to Leona Anna Tichavsky in San Antonio. She preceded him in death on January 31, 2007. Jerry was a farmer for most of his life retiring in 1987. He was a longtime and faithful member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott. He was also a member of the West Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4819 and the Abbott K.J.T. Society No. 107. His parents; one brother, Joe Bezdek; and three sisters, Josephine Makovy, Mary Dudik, and Irene James, also preceded him in death. Survivors include two daughters, Barbara Bezdek of Chalk Bluff and Linda Rosen and husband Jay of Houston; a son, Michael Bezdek and wife Jan of Abbott; a brother Danny Bezdek and wife Mary Ann of Arlington; two sisters, Dorothy Dyer and husband John of Garland and Evelyn Hanak of West; a sister-in-law, Doris Bezdek of Arlington; four grandchildren, Rachel Rosen, Zachary Rosen, Jeff Bezdek, and James Bezdek; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are Larry Bezdek, Jack Hawkins, Jimmy Makovy, Sonny Tlustos, Bobby Tlustos, Benny Hanak, John Reed Jr., Zachary Rosen, Jacob Reed and Don Rankin. Memorials may be made to the West V.F.W. Post #4819, Immaculate Heart of Mary Youth Fund, or K.J.Z.T. Memorial Scholarship Fund.