Bernard Smaistrla

Funeral services for Bernard Raymond Smaistrla of Alvin were held Friday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Alvin with his first cousin, Rev. Ben Smaistrla officiating. Burial followed in the Confederate Cemetery in Alvin. Visitation was held Thursday at Scott's Funeral Home in Alvin.

Mr. Smaistrla died Sept. 25, 2007 after an extended fight with cancer. He was born in East Bernard in 1938 to the late Raymond and Sophie Smaistrla.

In 1959, he married his bride, Carol, and they soon settled in Manvel, where they reared their children.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years; his older son, Jeff and wife Kim, and his younger son Blake and wife Yvonne; five grandchildren; siblings, Albert, Donald, Jody and Carolyn, along with their spouses.

In 1984, Ben's Pest Control was established. While working in his full-time job of 19 years at Armco Steel on the night shift, Smaistrla started his "bug business" during the day.

After 23 years, the family business is still going.