Albert "A.W." William Marek

Albert William Marek, 96, of East Bernard, passed away unexpectedly on July 25, 2017, at his residence in East Bernard. He was born on August 9, 1920 in East Bernard to the late Joe A. and Tillie Zapalac Marek. Albert lived most of his adult life in East Bernard, but was raised and attended school in Wallis. He enlisted in the United States Navy and received his Honorable Discharge in 1946. During World War II, Albert served on the USS Mendocino. He boarded the naval ship in San Francisco Bay on February 5, 1945 and departed for the Philippines.  During much of the next month, the USS Mendocino trained for the forthcoming invasion of Okinawa, Japan. The ship embarked Army wounded and transported them to Saipan  before steaming to Pearl Harbor on April 22, 1945. The ship also spent one infamous night in Australia. USS Mendocino received one battle star for its WWII service.  Eventually the ship decommissioned in New York in February 1946 where Albert spent time on Coney Island riding the famous Cyclone roller coaster.  A.W. wore the following decorations: American Theatre ribbon, Atlantic- Pacific ribbon with one star, Philippine Liberation ribbon with one star, and the Victory Medal for WWII.  Exactly two years after Japan surrendered to the United States ending WWII, a handsome sailor married an infamously sassy school teacher, Louise Frances Zaruba, at the Yoakum Catholic Church on September 1, 1947. Albert worked at Duval Sulphur Company for 26 years in Orchard until retiring in 1980. After retirement, he turned his hobbies of farming and ranching into full time work. Albert enjoyed dancing, socializing and riding his four-wheeler to check his cattle. He also loved to make delicious BBQ, and his family loved it every time he did.  Albert was active in the East Bernard American Legion Post 226 for over 70 years and enjoyed participating in their numerous events. He also loved working at the bar during Bingo for many years. He always enjoyed playing dominoes when the grandchildren, and later great grandchildren, came to visit. Albert loved to spend countless hours telling his grandchildren stories and listening to Polka music on his Victrola.   In addition to his parents, Albert was preceded in death by his brother, Joe Marek. Albert is survived by his loving wife of almost 70 years, Louise Frances Marek of East Bernard, daughters, Madeleine Peace and husband, John, Mary Kay Williams and Sharon Fay Taylor all of East Bernard, grandchildren, Kristie Taylor Duggan and husband, John, Chris Allison, Katie Crossley and husband, Charles, Frannie Williams, Claire Williams and Carl Williams and wife, Valerie and great grandchildren, Presley Allison, Paisley Allison and Elizabeth Williams, and brother Alvin Marek and wife, Ann of Wallis, and sister in law, Mary Sobotik and husband, Jesse of Houston as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  Visitation will be held on Friday, July 28, 2017 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard from 5 until 7 P.M. with a parish rosary recited at 7 P.M. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 29th at 10 A.M. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard with Rev. Donald Ruppert officiating. The Rite of Committal and burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery in East Bernard. Military Honors will be performed by members of the East Bernard American Legion Post 226. Serving as pallbearers will be Chris Allison, Carl Williams, Mainer Gavranovic, Joe Vykukal, James Marek and Richard Henning, honorary pallbearers will be Juan Martinez and Daniel Svec. Memorials may be made in "A.W.'s" memory to the American Legion Post #226 or Holy Cross Catholic Church for masses.  Funeral services under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home.  Condolences may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com