Ivan J. "Jelly" Pechacek, 85, passed away Saturday, August 8, 2009 at his residence. Mass of Christian Burial will be recited 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 11 at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Elk with Father Isadore Rozycki as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Elk. Visitation will be 6 to 7 p.m. and Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Monday, August 10 at Bellmead Funeral Home. Ivan "Jelly" Pechacek was born January 5, 1924 in Elk to Joe Fred and Angelina (Mladenka) Pechacek, who both preceded him in death. Jelly attended school at Elk and LaVega. He married Leola (Lil) Pomykal on January 10, 1949. He proudly served his country in the Army during World War II, in the 36th. Division. He taught G.I.'s welding in the Waco area after returning from World War II. In his younger days, Jelly was a bareback rider in many of the local rodeos in this area. Farming and raising cattle were a lifelong love, which he enjoyed until recently, as his health declined. He was well known for his talent of making homemade wine, which was always in great demand. He worked for the Waco Veterans Hospital as a foreman in the machine shop, retiring in 1985. Jelly was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Elk, the Building Fund Committee Farm Bureau, V.F.W. Mart Chapter and the Axtell School Board. He never met a person whom he didn't like and always had a smile on his face. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his great joy. He would always greet them as his "baby girls and sugar boys". Survivors include his wife of over 60 years, Leola (Lil) Pomykal Pechacek, daughter, Barbara (Pechacek) White and husband David and their families, sons, Tommy J. Pechacek, Sr. and wife Sandra, Jimmy Pechacek and wife Delores, John Pechacek and Audrie Hovers, isters, Ella Mary (Sis) Kimball and Jimmie Williams, grandchildren, Adam White, Allie White, Tommy Pechacek, Jr., Christi Seay, Eric Pechacek, great-Grandchildren, Andrew, Tristyn, Lauryn, Katharina, Salem, Kylie. Pallbearers will be, Tommy Pechacek, Jr. Eric Pechacek, Adam White, Doug Seay, Kenneth Kimball, Bill Thun. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph's Cemetery of Elk or to Hillcrest Hospice.