Saint Procopius Parochial Cemetery

Louise  – Wharton County, Cemeteries of Texas

Submitted by:  Lois Kennedy

Cemeteries of Texas:   Veda Bragg Mendoza

Located at Co Road 318 at heard Road north of Highway 59 at Louise.  The survey was done by Bennie Lee Crowell and is dated October 07, 1987.

 Typist Note:There are no plot or grave numbers on this survey.  I have taken the liberty of  numbering the entries sequentially.  Hopefully this will help in determining the relationship of one burial to other burials in this cemetery.

History: The land for the cemetery was purchased on June 2, 1949, by Gus Vajdo, Paul Sablatura, Ed  Trochta, Jerry Michna, Sr., Ray Toman, Ed Erdelt and Paul Sulak.  Each of tehse contributed $125.00 toward the purchase and for their contribution each one was given title to an eight-grave plot in the cemetery.  The lots were plotted by Gus Vajdos, Jerry Michna, Sr., and Elegius Brezina, who was soon replaced by A. J. Bezdek.  Others involved were Frank Popp, Emil Stavinoha, Gilbert Wendel, Alois Koenig and Vlad Marek.  Blessing of the cemetery took place on February 24 1950 by Msgr. Fredrick Beck.

The first person to be buried in the cemetery was Mr. Frank Vesely in 1950.

             An original fence was erected by men of the parish, getting together after their day’s work, to work on the fence until it was completed.  In 1983, a sturdy cyclone fence replaced the old one.  Funds for this were provided by the parish and labor was provided by Frank and Robert Merta.

             In early 1985 twelve oak trees were planted along the inside front of the cemetery fence under the supervision of County Commissioner of precinct #3, Ed. T. Malek, with approval of the parish priest.  In 1986 twelve oak trees were planted inside the back side of the cemetery.  Shrubs were planted at the cross in the center of the cemetery.

             The first trees were donated by Ed malek, A. J. Bezdek, Judy Sulak, Stanley Sulak, Gertrude Brezina, Mrs. Paul Sulak, Daniel sulak, David Bezdek, Della Bezdek, Jerry Michna, Sr., Victor Poncik and the Marek Family.  The second trees were donated by Matt Ochoa, Jr., Ed Malek, Daniel Sulak, Sandra Sulak, A. A. Holik, Michael Orsak, Victor Poncik, H. I. Premeaux, Raymond Poncik, Evelyn Poncik, Fred Sulak and Stanley Piwonka.  The shrubs were donated by D. E. Ellender, Sr., D. E. Ellender, Jr., and William Koenig.

             An altar was erected in front of the cross in the center of the cemetery.  Memorial donations were made by the following:

                        Ed Malek in memory of Fathers Kelly and Kaspar.

                        Albert Malek in memory of Pauline Petter, Felix Marek and Charles Hilsher

                        JoAnn, Greg & Scott Strelec in memory of Paul Strelec

                        Ray and Evelyn Poncik in memory of Louis and Albina Poncik

                        Gertie Brezina in memory of Elegius Brezina and Son.

                        Vajdos Children in memory of Gus and ida Vajdos

                        Della Bezdek in memory of Albin Bezdek

                        David and Delores Bezdek in memory of Alfred & Hattie Herzik

                        Vlad and Bernice Marek in memory of Robert Kunz

                        Agens Sulak in memory of Paul Sulak

                        Larry Dornak and Strelec Family in memory of Edwin Dornak

Twelve veterans of various ward are buried in the cemetery:

WW I                Ludvik Erdelt

WW II               Charles Budaus, Charles Hilsher, Leo A. Koenig, Felix Marek, Marcus Noska, Joe A. Orsak, Otto J. Orsak,  Alex Vaclavik and Edwin Dornak

 Vietnam           Robert Kubicek and Paul V. Strelec

 The cemetery is maintained and kept in a neat condition by David and Delores Bezdek.  They do the mowing and water trees when needed.

            All plots sold or grave sites to be used are checked by Ed Malek and David Bezdek to be sure they are properly located.  All monuments erected are under the supervision of Ed aMalek.   All of the above informatino was compiled by Ed. T. Malek, but is not dated.  It was probably done in 1987.

I/s/o – Infant Son of , M-M – Mr. & Mrs.   D/o – Daughter of, S/o – Son Of, Ph - Photograph  FHM – Funeral Home Marker