Wilfred Vencil Srubar, Sr.

                 Celebrating the Life of Wilfred Vencil Srubar, Sr.

Wilfred Vencil Srubar, Sr., 96, passed away Tuesday, October 4^th, 2022, at Houston Hospice after a brief illness. He was one of eleven children born to Louis and Anna Andel Srubar on November 27, 1925, in East Bernard, Texas. He grew up in the Muldoon area of East Bernard, sharecropping with his family, raising cotton and corn, and milking and tending cattle. As a boy, he enjoyed riding horses, camping, hunting, and fishing with his brothers, sisters, and cousins. He attended Muldoon School and East Bernard High School. At 18, he was finally allowed to drive to dances in Hungerford and Wallis which sparked a lifelong love of dancing. At one of those dances, he met Mary Ann Keprta who lived nearby in Hungerford. World War II interrupted their young romance.

Wilfred (Bill) served in the Army 97^th Division and the 5^th Air Force 25^th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron stationed in Japan. He often talked about what a lonely time that was being away from family and friends. After his discharge in 1946, he bought a ’39 Chevy for 850 dollars with money he had sent home to his mother to save for him. He attended a trade school and worked as a carpenter for a year while dating Mary Ann, and soon a serious courtship developed.

Bill married the love of his life, Mary Ann Keprta, on September 21, 1948, in Hungerford, Texas. They lived and sharecropped with Bill’s parents in Muldoon their first year of marriage before moving to a small two-room tenant house until 1951, when they built their first home and barn for $6200. The family quickly grew with the birth of their 5 children, Allan Anthony, Teresa Marie, Wilfred Jr. (Billy), Louis Adolph, and Patrice Joanne (Patti Jo). Bill and Mary Ann traded homes with Mary Ann’s mother and took over the operation of the Keprta farm and ranch, eventually buying it as their own.  

Over the years, Bill continued raising cotton, corn, milo, and cattle until his retirement. He instilled a strong work ethic in his children with everyone working together in the fields, baling and hauling hay, working cattle, gardening, tending chickens, lambs, horses, and pigs, picking grapes, dewberries, and pecans. Bill also had a fun, playful spirit, always finding time to play with his children and attend their school and sports activities as well as overseeing their 4H and FFA projects. Many fun times were spent with extended family and friends going fishing and camping on the coast, barbecues, swimming, and boat riding on the San Bernard creek.

Bill was a member of St. John Catholic Church, serving on the Church Council. He held a deep faith in God and the power of prayer and he was the moral compass and strength for his family. He also volunteered his time in the community as a member of the American Legion Post #226, Knights of Columbus, Hungerford and East Bernard School Boards, Hungerford Farmers Co-op Board, Rural Electric Association Board, and Farm and Home Administration Committee.

Later years were spent quietly at home with Mary Ann, watching football, old sitcoms, and western movies. This past year, due to declining health, he and Mary Ann moved to the SPJST Senior Care Home in Needville. The joy of his life remained his family and he always looked forward to the next visit from family members, especially his great grandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, 10 siblings, and his beloved son, Louis Srubar.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Mary Ann Srubar, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

The family would like to express our gratitude to home health caregivers Margie Wilkerson, Minga Reyes, Leticia Luna, and Susie Elliott, and to the staff of SPJST Senior Care Home in Needville and Houston Hospice for their care and compassion.

*Children: Teresa Priem & husband Alan of Wharton, Patti Jo Srubar of East Bernard, Judy Srubar of East Bernard, Allan Srubar & wife Kathy of East Bernard, Billy Srubar & wife Dodie of East Bernard

*Grandchildren: Christi & David Wondrash, Brian Srubar, Dawn Taylor, Lacey & Laramie Christ, Wil Srubar & Laramie Rose, Matt & Brittany Priem, Haley Srubar, Jared & Hailey Janik, Megan & Adam Kieth, Nick & Lauren Srubar, Anna & Aaron Francis

*Great Grandchildren: Jacob Wondrash, Allison Wondrash, Luke Srubar, Ava Srubar, Aiden Taylor, Avery Wilcox, Cannon Christ, Emily Christ, Dax Priem, Sophie Srubar, Oliver Srubar, Elliot Srubar, Charlotte Francis

*Pallbearers: Grandsons Brian Srubar, Wil Srubar, Matt Priem, Jared Janik, Nick Srubar, David Wondrash, Laramie Christ

*Honorary Pallbearers: Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren

*Memorials may be made to St. John Catholic Church, Houston Hospice, or charity of choice.