Walter Louis Stavena

Walter Louis Stavena, 94, of Wharton, Texas, passed away Sunday, February 2, 2014, following a short illness at a Sugar Land hospital. He was born September 4, 1919, in Fayetteville, Texas to parents Frank and Mary Novosad Stavena. Walter was raised in the Wharton area and graduated from Wharton High School. He served our country during World War II in the United States Army Air Corps. Walter married Nelga Janus on February 20, 1946. He worked as a masonry contractor for many years and previous to 1960 worked at Texas Gulf as a carpenter. Walter was very active in his church from an early age, becoming the first altar server at Holy Family Catholic Church. Later obligations at the church involved, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, church bazaars and numerous fundraisers. He and Nelga enjoyed dancing, playing 42 and being with family. In addition to his parents, Walter was preceded in death by his sons, Chris and Darryl Stavena, sister, Mary Ann Stavena, and brother, Lambert Stavena. He is survived by his son, Ronald Stavena and wife, Honey of Wharton, daughter, Dee Ann Viktorin and husband, Larry of Wharton, grandchildren, Brooke Merta and husband, Derek of Bryan, Christie Viktorin of College Station and Jason Stavena of San Marcos and great grandchild, Anna Jean Merta. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church with a rosary proceeding at 10:30 am. Father Bob Knippenberg officiated. Burial followed in the Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery in Wharton. Serving, as pallbearers were Jason Stavena, Lambert Stavena, Jr., Taylor Stavena, Shane Stavena, Stanley Konvicka and Conner Stavena. Honorary pallbearers were Derek Merta, Patrick F. Stavena, Daniel Chumchal, Butch Zahradnik, P.J. Stavena, Jonathan Krenek and Bennie Konvicka.