Bessie Macha

Bessie S. Macha, age 93, of Wharton, died Thursday, March 20, 2008 in Wharton following an extended illness. She was born on Dec. 25, 1914, the daughter of the late Rudolf Matusek and Mary Liberda Matusek.

Mrs. Macha had been a resident of Hungerford and Wharton County all of her life. She completed eight years of school at the one room New Vienna School and assisted the teacher in instructing younger students. She became the mother for her brother and three sisters at the age of 15 when her mother died. Mrs. Macha was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and St. John's Catholic Church in Hungerford. She married August E. Macha, who lived on the neighboring home, on Oct. 15, 1934 in Hungerford. They settled in a home between the two family farms. They lived on the land and farms where they were born for the rest of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Macha reared their three children on the farm just west of Hungerford. They actively operated the farm for 65 years.

Her husband preceded her in death on Jan. 8, 2006. In addition to her parents and husband, Obituaries

Mrs. Macha was also preceded in death by her son, August R. Macha in 1991; two sisters, Mary Chovanec and Martha Kutach; a brother, Richard Matusek; and one grandson, Chris Macha. She was a member of the Altar Society, the KJZT for more than 50 years and was a former officer of the KJZT.

A rosary was recited at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Wharton. A Funeral Mass followed at 2 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church and burial was in the St. John's Catholic Church Cemetery in Hungerford.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Bernard Hlavinka of Bellaire; son and daughters-in-law, Leon R. and Jeannette Macha of El Campo and Marietta Macha of Midland; sister, Lillian Zaskoda of Caldwell; grandchildren, John Macha of Houston, Gary Hlavinka of Centennial, Colo., Danny Hlavinka of Houston, Denice Espinosa of Houston, Greg Macha of Midland and Dr. Doug Macha of Tyler; 11 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Pallbearers were her grandsons, Greg Macha, Dr. Doug Macha, John Macha, Gary Hlavinka, Danny Hlavinka and Armando Espinosa.

Honorary pallbearers were her great-grandchildren.

In lieu of usual remembrances the family requests memorials to Hospice Support , Inc., P.O. Box 1417, El Campo, TX 77437; or Holy Family Catholic Church, 2011 Briar Ln., Wharton, TX 77488; or a charity of personal choice.

Funeral services were under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home.