John Henry Arnel Bielss, Sr.

John Henry Arnel Bielss, Sr. was called Home and left this world for his next adventure on November 3, 2023. He was 78 years old.

John was born September 22, 1945, in Salado, Texas to Arnel Bielss and Lydia (Fojt) Bielss. John attended Taylor High School until his junior year when he left for the Navy. John was in the Navy for four years and traveled extensively around the world. When John returned to reside in Thrall, Texas, he met Mary Ann Cervenka. Four months later, John and Mary Ann were married. They had three children.

At a very young age, John was introduced to art by his mother, Lydia. This would become a lifelong obsession for John and his art has touched many and brought much joy to himself, as well as others. John is well-known for creating art, specifically for friends and family; and known for donating his artwork to various charities. He also visited with children to speak about art and donated art supplies to various schools. His art depicted real-life experiences, fantasy characters, and also, humor. This - art - was John’s true passion in life.

John also enjoyed playing guitar, which was self-taught, and singing country western songs.

After suffering a stroke in 2017, John was paralyzed on the left side. He was able to continue his art, being that he was right-handed, and still shared so many works on canvas, rocks, napkins, anything he could get.

John loved the outdoors - fishing, looking for flint rocks, helping his children with their properties, etc. He grew up with many dogs. As a child, he was able to enjoy the outdoors, walking to fishing holes with his dog Fritz and just roaming the country free. John also enjoyed taking his children, brother, many nephews, and other family camping, fishing, boating and just enjoying the outdoors.

After retiring from a 37-year career with Alcoa, John was in a bowling league, rode bike to Granger Lake and would take a dip before his wife would pick him up, walked marathons locally, and was able to continue his love affair with art, becoming a member of TAG (Taylor Art Guild) where he met many new friends and shared great times and adventures.

John is preceded in death by his father, Arnel Bielss and step-mother, Barbara; mother, Lydia (Fojt) Bielss; and sister, Patsy Faye (Bielss) Mosqueda.

John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Ann (Cervenka) Bielss; daughters, Tammy Marie Bielss and Tina Gail Bielss, and son, John Henry Arnel Bielss Jr.; brother, Arnie Bielss and wife Monica; grandchildren, Kamryn Taylor Yanez, Richard Yanez Jr., Kennedy Marie Yanez, Talia Michelle Yanez, Brody Keith Yanez and Rachel Alyson Yanez; and many cherished sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Vital Caring Home Health and Physical Therapy Services, as well as Comforts of Home Hospice Care for the very generous and loving care shown to their father.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 3:00 pm on Friday, November 10, 2023, at Providence Funeral Home with memorial service following.