August Pyka

August John Pyka, 82, of Wharton, TX, died January 6, 2016, in Wharton, TX. August was born on August 30, 1933, to Fred and Bessie Orsak Pyka, in Wharton, TX. He served honorably in the US Army from August 1954 through August 1956 before he married Shirley Botard on October 8, 1957. He later woked as the Director of the Physical Plant at Wharton County Junior College until his retirement in August 1995. August was a lifetime resident of Wharton. He was also a devoted member of Holy Family Catholic Church. His faith brought him much peace, he loved to pray and said the Rosary every day at 3:00. He also enjoyed watching wildlife and sports. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Bessie Svetlik;; brothers George Pyka and Robert Pyka; and brother in law Daniel Tesar. August is survived by his wife of 58 years, Shirley Botard Pyka; daughters Sharon Vanderbur & Steve of Houston and Karen Schulz & Jimmy of Wharton; sister Dorothy Tesar; brothers Paul Pyka & Nellie and Fred Pyka Jr. & Karen; sisters in law Catherine Pyka and Theresa Pyka; and grandsons Chad Schulz & Allyson and Jeremy Schulz. Visitation will be held Sunday from 4-6 with a Rosary at 5, at Wharton Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be on Monday at 10 at Holy Family Catholic Church with Father Bob Knippenburg officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park. Serving as Pallbearers will be Michael Svetlik, Patrick Valentine, Kenny Pyka, Timothy Schindler, Kenneth Berntsen and Richard Thornton. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made to Holy Family Catholic Church. Funeral services under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.whartonfuneralhome.com.