Clarence Gilbert Vanek

Clarence Gilbert Vanek went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, February 27, 2013. Clarence was born on October 9, 1936 to Anton Ignac and Anna (Shimek) Vanek, Sr. of the Circleville community.

On February 23, 1963 he married Bernice Kollaja and they moved to Taylor. He worked at Kerr-Ban Mfg. for 17 years and then worked at American Desk where he retired in 1994. A year later he started taking care of his year old twin grandchildren and continued to do so until they started school. He picked them up after school and would have freshly baked cookies waiting for them or stopped at the store for ice cream.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Leroy Vanek, brothers Anton Vanek, Jr. and Julius Vanek, sisters Ann (Vanek) Price and Mildred (Vanek) Stefek, half-brothers Theodore Vanek and Alfred Vanek, half-sisters Julie (Vanek) Valchar and Louise (Vanek) Belz.

Clarence is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, son Michael Vanek and wife April, daughters Lisa Morris and husband Nick all of Taylor and Patricia Marie Vanek of Austin. He is also survived by grandchildren Alicia, Cody and Elizabeth Vanek, Allison and Christopher Morris and adopted grandchild Fay Anne Price.

His is survived by brother Edward Vanek and wife Lillie of Taylor, sister Betty Blackmon of Round Rock, sister-in-laws Annie Vanek and Virginia Vanek of Granger, half-sister Mary (Vanek) John of Taylor and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. His dog Corky and cat Smokey will miss him.

“PawPaw” was a hard working husband, father and grandfather. He loved his grandchildren dearly, always waiting for the front door to open to see who was coming to visit him. He enjoyed spending time with them, watching them play baseball or listening to Czech music.

The family will have visitation from 6:00-8:00 P.M., Thursday, February 28, 2013 with recitation of the rosary at 7:00 P.M. at Providence Funeral Home. Celebration of Mass will be 4:00 P.M., Friday, March 1, 2013 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Taylor with Rev. Msgr. Lonnie Urban officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.