Leon Marek, age 84, of Bellmead, passed away Wednesday evening, March 10, 2021 at the VA Hospital in Temple.
A rosary will be recited at 6:00 pm Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at Bellmead Funeral Home Chapel with visitation to follow until 8:00 pm.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 am Thursday, March 18, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bellmead, with Rev. Timothy Vaverek officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in West.
Leon was born in Penelope, Texas, the son of Frank and Mary (Kroulik) Marek. He was a 1955 graduate of Penelope High School. He enlisted with the United States Army in 1957 and was honorably discharged in 1963. On February 11, 1961 he was united in marriage to Katherine Macha of West. He and Katherine had just celebrated their 6oth wedding anniversary. Leon was a musician and loved playing and listening to country music. He began playing at an early age and he and his brother Eugene, as the Marek Brothers, were regulars on the All Star Country Road Show before he enlisted in the Army. He also played in various local bands. He instilled his love of music in his children and grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. He always looked forward to strumming his guitar and singing with them at family gatherings. Another favorite pastime was playing dominoes. Leon and Katherine owned and operated Marek Truck Repair for 25 years. After retirement, he devoted his time to taking care of his animals, doing yard work and playing the piano.
Leon was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Mary Marek, Lillie Marek, Albina Howard, Willie Mae Skerik, Josephine Kallus and his twin sister, Leona Kolar; and his brothers, Frank Willie Marek and Joe Marek.
Survivors include his wife, Katherine; son, Gregory Marek and his wife, Joyce; his daughter, Gina Kresge and her husband, Allen; his grandchildren, Chad Hutyra and his wife, Amy, Matthew Marek, Kristen Niekamp and Ryan Niekamp; his great-grandchildren, Nolan and Hope Hutyra; his brother, Eugene Marek and his wife, Betty; brother-in-law, Dennis Macha and his wife, Hattie; sister-in-law, Sally Macha; and many nieces and nephews; and a special friend who was like a daughter, Gail Sinkule.
Pallbearers will be Ronnie Skerik, Michael Marek, Thomas Kolar, Kenneth Kolar, Dennis Macha Jr. and Matthew Marek.
Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or Red C Catholic Radio.
The family would like to express a special thank you to the Doctors, Nurses and veterans at the Temple VA Hospital.