Ernest Maxie Faykus, affectionately known as Cotton, passed peacefully from his earthly life, to be with his Savior, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, February 21, 2018.  He was 90 years of age.

Born to Jerome and Mary Marek Faykus on December 22, 1927 in Engle, Texas, Ernest liked to tell the story of being found in a snowdrift under a bridge on that cold December night.

In 1957, Ernest married Irene Sophie Meyer Meiske and they were blessed with 17 years of marriage before she passed on.

In 1977, Ernest married Myrtle Marie Finch Kaatz.  Myrtle preceded him in death after 35 years together.

In, 2013, Ernest met his beloved Shirley Mundkowsky, who brought him so much love and happiness in his final years.

The Faykus family owned and operated the cotton gins in Waterloo and Hoxie for many years.  Ernest also worked as a barber, a rural mail carrier and spent many years farming and raising cattle. Ernest was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Taylor, Texas.

In addition to his parents Ernest was predeceased by his brother, Alvin Faykus, Sr. and a sister, Irene Faykus Boehm.  He is survived by his younger brother, Elmer (Marianne) Faykus, his aunt, Julie Pesek, and many well-loved nieces and nephews.

Ernest is also survived by his children:

Bonnie (Bennie) Tomecek, Katherine (Jack) Stolle, Denise (Jimmy) Michna and Blaine (Susan) Faykus.

His grandchildren include: Terrill (Irene) Tomecek, Wendy (Scott) Nattin, Kristie (Ben) McKinnon, Scott Stolle, Trissa (JT) Aspra, Rhys Michna, Trenton and Kelsey Faykus.

Great-grandchildren are: Jeanene, Joelene (Donny Taylor), and Japheth Tomecek, Brianna (Tyler) Coston, and Brooke McKinnon.

Aiden and Adley Taylor and Zane Coston are Ernest’s great-great grandchildren.

Ernest was also loved by and welcomed into the Mundkowsky family:

Linda (Jerry) Roznovak, Ronald (Samantha) Mundkowsky, and Dennis Mundkowsky.  The grandchildren include Brandon (Abby) Roznovak,

Kristen (Nick) Trevino, Derek, Shane (Jordan) and Bryan Mundkowsky.

Great grandchildren are Carleigh Roznovak, Ayden, Beckett and Ace Mundkowsky

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 27 ^th , between 6 and 8 p.m. with a prayer service/rosary at 7:30 pm at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 28 ^th , 10:00 a.m., also at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor.  Burial will be in the Taylor City Cemetery.

Father Keith Koehl will officiate.

Pallbearers will be JT Aspra, Blaine Faykus, Trenton Faykus, Rhys Michna, Shane Mundkowsky and Scott Stolle.

Honorary pallbearers will be Cass Faykus, Ralph Faykus, Frankie Limmer and Terrill Tomecek.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.