Vladimir Vaclav Marek

Vladimir Vaclav Marek, age 86, of West, passed away early Tuesday morning, January 26, 2010 at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Dr. John Crowder officiating. The family will receive visitors from 10:00 a.m. Friday until service time at the funeral home. Mr. Marek was born March 3, 1923 in Pecky, Czechoslovakia, the son of Josef and Pavla Marek. He worked for Owens-Illinois Glass Plant in Waxahachie. He was a member of GPPA Union Local #125, GMP Union and R.V.O.S. Vladimir spoke five languages fluently, and lived in Germany and France, as well as Brazil. He loved to read, work in his garden and chat with his neighbors. Survivors include his wife, Rose Despot; step-son, Mike Despot; and step-daughter, Maria Despot, all of Whittier, California; caregivers and good friends, Chris and "Holly" Shannon Rankin, and their children, Zoe, Zach and Zadie, all of West; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Rest Haven Activity Fund.