Mary Lois Mach

Mary Lois (Helona) Mach, age 94, of West, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2009 at West Rest Haven in West. A rosary will be recited 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Aderhold Funeral Home by Janice Kaluza, followed by visitation until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Rev. Ed Karasek as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Mary was born June 2, 1914 in Tours, the daughter of Frank and Frances Helona. She attended St. Mary's School in West. On November 6, 1934 she was united in marriage to Joe W. Mach in West. He preceded her in death on December 31, 1987. Joe and Mary raised their family and farmed in the Penelope area until they moved to West in 1987. Mary was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West and a former member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott. She was also a member of the K.J.Z.T. Society No. 104, the Ladies Altar Society, and a member of the church choir, all in Abbott. Mary enjoyed chopping cotton, gardening, sewing, cooking, canning, and she especially loved spending time with her family. She was very much a people person and never met a stranger. Her parents; three brothers, Frank Helona Jr., Stanley Helona, and Willie Helona; and six sisters, Lillie Makovy, Polly Helona, Bertha Knapek, Adele Metal, Frances Baker, and Georgie Kofnovec also preceded her in death. Survivors include four sons, Milford J. Mach and wife Mary Lou of Ft. Worth, Joe F. Mach and wife Lillian of Lacy Lakeview, Robert Mach and wife Annie of Mart, and Michael Mach of Prairie Hill; a daughter, Nancy Mach Shaffer and husband David of Granbury; a sister, Helen Kubacak of West; 15 grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are Robert J. Mach, Paul Mach, Tim Shaffer, Gary Mach, Kevin Mach, and Kent Mach. Memorials may be made to the West Rest Haven Activity Fund.