Theodore Chervenka

Theodore Alvin Chervenka, 85, of Brenham, died Tuesday, December 16, 2003 in Hermann Hospital in Houston. Mr. Chervenka was born on August 17, 1918, in the Chriesman community near Caldwell, the son of Martin R. and Bertha Frances Gavenda Chervenka. He grew up in Burleson County and attended the Harmony School. Mr. Chervenka was baptized Nov. 19, 1942 in the Czeck-Moravian Brethren Church in Caldwell. He worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps in Oregon and California. He enlisted in the Texas National Guard 36th Infantry Division. He was mobilized with the Guard unit Nov. 14, 1940 and served during WWII in the European theatre. During the Anzio campaign, he was taken prisoner by the German army and spent two years as a prisoner of war. He was liberated at the end of the war and upon returning to the US, went to work in Baytown for the Humble Oil and Refining Company, which later became Exxon Mobil. He worked there until his retirement in 1980, at which time he moved to Brenham. Mr. Chervenka was a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association and the American Ex-Prisoners of War. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Eva and Bill Odom of Brenham; grandsons, Johnathan Wayne Smith and wife Callie of Canyon and Dustin Smith of Pleasanton; step-grandchildren, William Odom Jr. of Austin and Candice Odom of Brenham; sister-in-law, Doris Chervenka of Brenham; niece, Vivian Leedy of Brenham; and nephews, Johnny Brown and Charles Brown of Waco. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Sophie Brown, Ella Bonner and Lillie Matcek; and brothers, Victor Chervenka and Milton Chervenka. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 19 in Memorial Oaks Chapel, with Pastor Blair Lundborg officiating. Burial will be in the Slovak Cemetery near Caldwell. The family will receive visitors at Memorial Oaks Chapel from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. today. Pallbearers will be Johnny Brown, Charles Brown, Johnathan Smith, Dustin Smith, Guy Sears and John Lawrence. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Kubecka, Otto Kubecka, Paul Jurek and Quincy Berka. Memorials may be given to Christ Lutheran Day School, 1104 Carlee Dr., Brenham, TX 77833. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main St., Brenham, Texas.