Sebesta, Albert

A 12 year old son of John Sebestia, a well known farmer living west of town, died last Friday of congestion. The young man complained the Monday previous of feeling badly, but it was not thought to be serious. The following day, however, he was worse and continured so, his death resulting as above stated. His remains were laid to rest in St. Michael’s cemetery Saturday morning.

Weimar Mercury, September 9, 1905

Sebesta, Alvin John

Alvin Sebesta Funeral Held Here April 13

Funeral services of Alvin John Sebesta, 75, of Houston were held Saturday, April 13, from St. Michael Catholic Church here, with Father John Bily officiating. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Sebesta, Houston resident since 1965, died April 10 at his home.

Born Feb. 5, 1918, in Weimar, he was the oldest of five children born to John and Pauline (Guenther) Sebesta.

He had retired from Ashland Oil Co. after 27 years of service. At the time of his death he was a Pasadena ISD school crossing guard. He was a member of St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church and a past member of the American Legion and Moose Lodge in Pasadena.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Claudia, on June 26, 1990, and infant son, Francis in 1961.

Survivors are sons and daughters-in-law Woodrow Lee and Clemencia Sebesta of LaPorte, Ronald Alvin and Frances Sebesta of Houston; daughters Ann Frances Sebesta of Pasadena and Carole Miller of Pasadena; grandchildren John Glenn Miller, William Lee Miller, Christopher Lee Sebesta and Shantel Diane Sebesta; step mother, Tillie Sebesta of Tomball; brothers Leroy Sebesta of San Antonio, George Sebesta of Cat Spring, Leonard Sebesta of Angleton and Marcus Sebesta of Tomball and sisters Hilda Neiser of El Campo and Barbara Beard of Tomball.

Pallbearers were Joe Sebesta, Gussie Kuehn, Larry Sebesta, Chris Sebesta, John Miller and Frank Kainer, Honorary pallbearers were Bill Sebesta, Ronnie Chamrad, Jerry Standley and David Courtney.

The Weimar Mercury, May 2, 1991
Transcribed by Dennis Boatright

Sebesta, Amelia (Brovec)

Final Rites for Mrs. A. Sebesta, 82, Held Tuesday

Funeral services for Mrs. Amelie Sebesta, 82, were held from the Hubbard Funeral Home Tuesday, September 10, with final rites at St. Michael’s Church, Msgr. J. J. Szymanski officiating.

Interment was in St. Michael's Cemetery.

Mrs. Sebesta was born in Europe April 25, 1864, the daughter of John and Rosie Brovitz[Brovec], the family emigrating to this country in 1870. She was married at Dubina in about the year 1885 to Mr. John Sebesta. She was a member of the Catholic Church. the K. J. Z. T. and the Catholic Mothers organization.

Mrs. Sebesta passed away at her home Monday, Sept. 9, after an illness of several years.

Six children survive: they are: Chas. of Columbus, John of Tomball, Emil of Cameron. Mrs. Bertha Ulbrich of Weimar. Mrs. Emilea Mikus of Callihan. and Mrs. Christine Machart of Weimar

Also surviving are two sisters. Mrs. Barbara Norhavitza of Weimar and Mrs. Mary Tannich of El Campo, 19 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Sebesta’s husband, one sister and one brother preceded her in death.

Pallbearers at the funeral included six grandsons, Roy Sebesta, Chas. UIrich, George Sebesta, Ernest Sebesta, Elvin Sebesta, and his cousin, Elvin Sebesta.

Weimar Mercury, September 13, 1946, page 1

Sebesta, Jan "John"

Old Time Citizen This Section Dies Suddenly

Citizens of this section were inexpressibly shocked Sunday afternoon when they learned that Mr. John Sebesta, Sr., one of the oldest and most respected citizens of the Osage section, had expired suddenly and unexpectedly, while en route to the home of a neighbor. He was crossing the pasture of Mr. Chas. Lidiak at the time and evidently expired just as he was going through a barbed wire fence. Mr. Lidiak, we understand, saw Mr. Sebesta as he was crossing the pasture and remarked upon the fact that he was walking along so spry.

From what facts we can glean Mr. Sebesta had eaten heartily at breakfast time, seemed hearty and cheerful, and later in the morning decided to walk over to the home of a neighbor, and was en route there when he was stricken by some heart trouble and probably died instantly. The body was found about 11:30, we understand, partially resting on the barbed wire fence, and with a couple of cuts from the barb showing on his face.

He was tenderly picked up and carried to his borne, after inquest proceedings had been conducted by Judge A.. J. Ratliff, who returned a verdict of death from natural causes. Funeral arrangements were made and the body laid to rest in St. Michael’s Cemetery Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock. Rev. Jos. Szymanski conducted the funeral services.

He was a man of jovial disposition, a hard worker, true to his family and friends, a splendid neighbor at all times, and his untimely death is deeply and sincerely deplored.

Pall bearers were Chas. Lidiak, Wm. and Frank Ripper, Frank Pavlik, Sr., Frank Humplik and V. Rataj.

Mr. Sebesta was 83 years old at the time of death. He was born in 1850 in Moravia, Europe, and served several years as a soldier in that country. He came to this country early in life, first following railroad life. He was with the old Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railroad when it built into Weimar, liked the location and decided to stay here. Here he followed the trade of brick mason, and was one of the builders of the opera house, Herder store, Townsend rock building, Dr. Potthast residence in the western part of town, and many other structures. He farmed along with his trade of brick mason. He first located in the Borden section, afterward in Ammannsville, and finally in 1911 located in the Osage section, where he lived up to the time of his death.

At the age of 32 he was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Brovec of the Holman section. To this union nine children were born, six of whom survive. The survivors ae his widow and Mrs. Joe Ulbrich, Mrs. Emelia Mikus of Three Rivers, Emil Sebesta of Cameron, John Sebesta of Weimar, Chas. Sebesta of Columbus, and Mrs. Christina Machart of Weimar; also sixteen grandchildren. Had he lived a short while longer the couple would have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Weimar Mercury, November 24, 1933, page 1

Sebesta, Leroy Joseph

Councilman Leroy Sebesta Dies

Columbus City Councilman Leroy Joseph Sebesta, 72, passed away Saturday, October 2, 2004, at MD Anderson Hospital after a short illness with cancer.

Sebesta's death came as a blow to those with whom he served on the City Council.

"To me, the city has lost one of its most loyal supporters," said Councilman Richard Heffley, a long-time friend of Sebesta. "Leroy loved the city of Columbus and his wisdom will be deeply missed."

Heffley's sentiments were echoed by other members of Council.

"He loved this city and did a lot for the city," said Councilman Milton Wavra.

"He loved being on the City Council," said Councilman Brian Berger. "He really cared about this city. He'll be a hard person to replace, that's for sure."

Mayor Paula Frnka said she was particularly impressed with Sebesta's strong involvement in the city's budget process in August and early September.

"He worked diligently on the budget through all the pain," Frnka said. "He put on a strong face through it all because he loved this city and knew how important the budget process was."

Heffley added that Sebesta's word carried a lot of weight with other members of Council.

"To the four new people on Council, it became immediately clear that his grasp on the issues that face this city was very deep," Heffley said. "Leroy's opinions carried a lot of conviction."

Councilman Dwain Dungen said the loss of Sebesta will be felt in many areas.

"Our hearts go out to his family," Dungen said. "It's a loss not only for his family, but for the entire city as well."

Sebesta was born August 19, 1932, in Weimar to John and Pauline Guenther Sebesta, and his family moved to Columbus when he was 1 year old.

He attended Columbus schools and graduated from Columbus High School in 1950.

In 1954, he received his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M College and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, where he served three years as a navigator in military air transportation.

He was honorably discharged as a captain in 1957 and went to work for HB Zachary as a project engineer.

In September 1957, he married JoAnn Darilek of Columbus.

In 1958, he went to work for the Texas Highway Department, where he helped in the design and construction of Interstate 10 through Columbus and obtained his license as a professional engineer.

In 1963, he went to work for Texas Construction Materials in Columbus.

In 1966, he moved to Houston to work as a production manager for Lone Star Industries, Inc.

In 1978, he was transferred to south Florida and became the operations manager of the newly formed Lone Star Florida.

In 1981, he became regional vice president of Aggregate Concrete Product Production and president of New York Trap Rock, a subsidiary of Lone Star Industries, Inc., in West Nyack, N.Y.

In 1983, he was transferred to Dallas to join Lone Star Industries' Texas operations as manager of engineering services.

In 1986, he moved to Houston and retired from Lone Star in 1987.

In 1990, he joined Alamo Cement in San Antonio and later became vice president of Alamo Concrete Products, Ltd.

From 1995 to 1996, he served as chairman of the Board of Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association.

He retired in March 1998, and moved back to Columbus, but continued as a consultant for Alamo.

Sebesta and his wife were delighted to be back in their hometown among their many friends. His achievements as a civil engineer were very satisfying but his greatest enjoyments were in retirement where he had been using his skills, knowledge and experience to better the community he and his wife so love, and spending time with the friends and grandchildren he cherished.

"The fact that he loved this city and came back says a lot for him," Frnka said.

"He dedicated a lot of his time to the city and had a lot of affection for the city," Dungen said. "That was apparent by his moving back to his hometown."

In 2001, he was elected as a Columbus city councilman and was re-elected in 2003.

He was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council 2971, where he was recently elected as grand knight. He was also a member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.

Sebesta is survived by his wife, JoAnn, his daughters, Susan Peletz, of Columbus, and Nancy Williams, and her husband, Jeff, of Boca Raton, Fla.; son, William T. Sebesta, and his wife, Margaret, of Cypress; grandson, David Peletz, of College Station; granddaughters, Diane Williams, Mary Kate Williams, Constance Sebesta, Paige Sebesta and Grace Sebesta; sister, Hilda Naiser of El Campo; brothers George Sebesta of Bernardo and Leonard Sebesta of Angleton; step-brother, Joe Sebesta, of Tomball; and stepsister, Barbara Beard, of Tomball.

His mother, father, and oldest brother, Alvin Sebesta, preceded him in death.

Funeral Mass will be conducted on Wednesday, October 6, 2004, at 10 a.m., at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Columbus under the direction of Henneke Funeral Home.

Father Dan Kahlich will officiate with the assistance of Deacon Doug Tromblee and Deacon Bennie Holesovsky.

The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will serve as honor guards at the Mass and the cemetery. Interment will follow at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery where "Taps" will be played by his grandson, David Peletz.

Pallbearers will be Larry Sebesta, Matt Sebesta, Woodrow Sebesta, Erwin Knippel, G. Duncan Lott III, William Plagens, Allen Walsh and Michael B. Harrison.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

Colorado County Citizen, SOctober 6, 2004
Courtesy of The Citizen

Sebesta. Mary (Michalke)

Sebesta.

Mary Sebesta, 92, of Columbus, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 1997, at River Oaks Conveslescent[sic] Center in Columbus.

Born July 6, 1905 in Borden, she was the daughter of Ferdinand and Maria (Krischke) Michalke. Mrs. Sebesta, who had lived in Columbus since 1931, had been a receptionist and worked for City Cleaners. She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Mary Queen of Snows 1588.

Services were held Aug. 15 at St. Anthony with Father Dan Kahlich officiating. Interment followed in St. Anthony Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Henneke Funeral Home, Columbus.

Serving as pallbearers were George Sebesta, Charles Ulbrich, Milton Nelson, Leonard Sebesta, Edward Michalke and Alfred (Buddy) Michalke.

Mrs. Sebesta is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Roy J. and Rubylean Nelson Sebesta of Houston and a sister-in-law. Julia Michalke of Schulenburg.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles F. Sebesta, on July 21, 1953.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

Colorado County Citizen, August 20, 1997

Sebesta, Rosie

WELL KNOWN YOUNG LADY DIES IN HOUSTON HOSPITAL

The sad news of the death of Miss Rosie Sebesta, a well known and popular young lady of the Osage section. who died In a Houston hospital, was received here Tuesday afternoon. Miss Rosie had been in ill health for some time past and it was thought best to send her to Houston for treatment, but it was of no avail.

The body was brought to the family home near Osage Wednesday afternoon, and this (Thursday) morning at 10 o'clock will be interred in St. Michael's Cemetery, this city, Rev. Jos. Szymanski officiating.

Miss Rosie was 26 years of age, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Sebesta, respected residents of the Osage community, a young lady of most pleasing personality, a dutiful, helpfull daughter, and one whose presence was welcome in every gathering. Death coming to her so early In life, at a 'time when the future looked so bright and promising, is indeed a sad blow to the family and many friends.

Our heartfeIt sympathy goes out to the bereaved ones.

Weimar Mercury, March 5, 1926

 Sebesta, Roy J.

SEBESTA

Roy J. Sebesta, 81, of Houston, passed away Aug. 24 at his residence.

He was born in Calliham, Aug. 23, 1924 to Charles F. and Mary (Michalke) Sebesta and married Rubylean Nelson, March 21, 1945.

He was a retired operations specialist for Shell Oil Company, served in the United States Navy and was a member of St. Roch's Catholic Church in Mentz.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers-in-law, William and J.D. Nelson; sisters-in-law, Wilma and Betty Jean Nelson; nephew, Randy Nelson; and niece, JoAnn Nelson.

He is survived by sisters-in-law, Vernell Kucherka and husband Wilbert of Eagle Lake and Ruby Nelson of Columbus; and brother-in-law, Milton Nelson of Bernardo.

Funeral services were conducted Aug. 26 at St. Roch's Catholic church in Mentz with Father Wayne Flagg officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers were Murray, Kenneth, Gerion, Travis, David, Charles D. and James Ray Nelson and Wilbert Dave, Paul and Mark Kucherka.

Colorado County Citizen, August 31, 2005
Courtesy of The Citizen

Sebesta, Rubylean (Nelson)

Rubylean Sebesta

Funeral services for Rubylean (Nelson) Sebesta, 75, of Houston were held April 10 from St Roch's Catholic Church in Mentz with Fr. Wayne Flagg officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

She died April 7 at her residence. She was born Oct 3, 1924 in Bernardo, the daughter of W. H. and Teckla (Braden) Nelson. She married Roy J. Sebesta on March 21, 1945.

She had lived in Houston since 1954. She was a member of St Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church in Houston and associate member of St Roch's Catholic Church in Mentz and Court of St Roch Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, William Nelson; infant sister; sister-in-law, Betty Jean Nelson; and one nephew.

Survivors include her husband; sister, Vernell Kucherka and husband Wilbert of Eagle Lake; brothers, J. D. Nelson and wife Ruby of Columbus, Milton Nelson of Bernardo; also numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Murray Nelson, Kenneth Nelson, Travis Nelson, David Nelson, Charles D. Nelson, James Ray Nelson, Wilbert Dave Kucherka, Paul Kucherka and Mark Kucherka.

Funeral handled by Henneke Funeral Home of Columbus.

New Ulm Enterprise, April 13, 2000

Sebesta, Valentina "Tina" (Hill)

Sebesta

Valentina "Tina" Sebesta, 68, of Bernardo, died Tuesday, June 7, 1994.

Born Feb. 14, 1926 in the small community of Jones Creek near El Campo, she was the daughter of Baldwin and Alice (Braden ) Hill. On Oct. 14, 1947, she married George C. Sebesta at St. Roch's Catholic Church in Mentz and they became the parents of eight children. Mrs. Sebesta was a member of St. Roch's Catholic Church, St. Roch's Altair Society, Catholic Daughters of America, VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the Bernardo Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

Funeral services were held June 10 at St. Roch Catholic Church with Rev. Dan Morales, Msgr. Gideon Stramm and Rev. George Henninger officiating. Interment followed in St. Roch Catholic Cemetery. Services were under the direction on Henneke Funeral Home, Columbus.

Pallbearers were Matt Sebesta, Bill Sebesta, Ronnie Sebesta, Daryl Hill, Ted Fritsch and Gerald Lucas.

She is survived by her mother; sons and daughters-in-law Larry and Jodi Sebesta of Columbus; Stephen Sebesta of Mentz, Carl and Patti Sebesta and Jeff and Sharon Sebesta of Houston; daughters and sons-in-law Mary Beth and Doug Tromblee of Mentz, Jean and Sammy Condra of Bernardo, Lori and Ray Grawunder of Bellville and Allicyn Sebesta of Bernardo; a sister, Doris Jean (Hill) Fritsch of Fayetteville; brothers A. J. Hill land Jimmy Hill, both of Bernardo; grandchildren Courtney Sebesta of Columbus, Marti, Sarah, Haley and Kiel Sebesta of Houston, Bethany, Megan and Stephen Tromblee of Mentz, Katie Sebesta of Cat Spring, Valorie, Jena and Kristen Condra of Bernardo, Rachel Grawunder of Bellville.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Memorial donations may be made to Mother Theresa's Sisters of Charity, c/o St. Roch's Catholic Church, RR2, Box 191, Alleyton, TX 78934

Colorado County Citizen, June 15, 1994