Joseph Charles Labay

JOSEPH CHARLES LABAY Joseph Charles Labay, 81, of East Bernard, passed away, Tuesday, February 24, 2015 following a brief illness at a Sugar Land hospital. He was born on July 2, 1933 in Nada, Texas, a son of the late Steve Labay, Sr. and Ludmilla Kaspar Labay. Mr. Labay was a longtime resident of Wharton County having graduated from Nada High School. After serving our country honorably in the United States Army, Joseph married Charlyne Dressler in November of 1960 in El Campo, Texas. He worked for Houston Natural Gas, which was later purchased by Entex, for many years, working his way from welder to eventually becoming Superintendent of Field Operations. Joseph was very devoted to his Catholic faith and Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard. He enjoyed polka music, dominoes and watching wrestling on TV. Dr. Pepper, Hawaiian Punch and other sweet treats were favorites. Joseph also loved nature and all its small blessings, flowers, birds, wildlife and just being outdoors enjoying it all. He loved his yard, mowing and keeping the ants at bay. He took special pleasure in all his cats. One of his greatest pleasures came from joking around and teasing those he held so dear. He was a member of KJT, SPJST and the Knights of Columbus. In addition to his parents, his twin brother, Johnny Labay, and grandson, Joseph Michael Blahuta preceded him in death. Visitation will be held Monday morning at 9 a.m., March 2nd at Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard with a parish rosary starting at 9:30 am. Funeral services will follow at 10 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father Don Ruppert officiating. Interment will follow in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in East Bernard. Serving, as pallbearers will be Charles Heller, Chris Blahuta, Kevin Labay, Mark Sliva, David Sliva, Bryan Blahuta, Michael Labay, and Mark Leopold. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Knights of Columbus. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Charlyne; daughters Melisa (Lisa) Labay-Sliva and husband David of East Bernard, Heather Labay-Blahuta and husband Bryan of East Bernard; sisters Paulene Leopold of Nada and Delores Alder and husband Weldon of Katy; brothers Steve Labay Jr. and wife Jeanette of Ganado, Tommie Labay of Ganado, and Lambert Labay and Kathy of Austin; grandson Christopher Blahuta, of East Bernard; and good friend Henry Lawrence. The family would like to extend a special thanks to his caregivers, Beatriz Posada, LVN, and Irma Ochoa, RN, of Texas State Heathcare of Bay City. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Holy Cross Catholic Church, Wharton County Spot, American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. Funeral services are under the direction of the Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.whartonfuneralhome.com.