Obituaries

September 24, 1926– July 21, 2021

September 22, 1936 - June 30, 2021

Joseph Charles Vasek
 
March 8, 1957- May 28, 2021

December 17, 1961- March 1, 2021

May 7, 1957- October 25, 2020

July 3, 1955 - October 27, 2020
   
   Ernest Gene Moore, 65 of Bay City, Texas, formerly of Columbus, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas. 
   He was born on July 3, 1955 in Livingston, Texas, to the late Davie and Tillie (Konviska) Moore of Eagle Lake, Texas.
   Ernest, known to many as Ernie or Bubba, worked for Gordon Refrigeration in Bay City for several years in the late 80s, then returned to his hometown to work for the City of Eagle Lake, then transferred to City of Columbus, Texas, where he retired in 2019 after 28 years of service. 
   Then, in March 2020, he returned to Bay City, to become an amazing park host for the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center and to the kindest board members that always made him feel so welcome until he passed away. 
   He was a son, brother, father, uncle, papaw and friend with a huge and kind heart and will be missed dearly. 

June 8, 1937- July 13, 2020
   Sara Jo Anderson Halbert, 83, was born June 8, 1937, in Negley, Ohio. 
   She passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness, on July 13, 2020, in Bay City. 
   She grew up in Negley, Ohio and graduated from East Palestine High School in 1955. 
   Before moving to Bay City in 1964, she lived briefly in Cheyenne, Wyoming, England, Buloxi, Mississippi and Ohio.
   As soon as she moved to Bay City, she became involved in numerous organizations, serving anyone in need. 
   She spent countless hours dedicating her life to the First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, FUMC Altar Guild, draped the cloth at church for Easter for over 30 years, U.M. Army, Bay City Girls Scouts, Bay City Softball, Bay City Blackcat Band Supporters, Bay City Blackcat Booster Club, Matagorda County Pilot Club, and was named Bay City Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year in 2005. 

April 24, 1933- June 27, 2020 
   Emma Jean (Junek) Piwonka, 87, of Blessing, passed away June 27, 2020. 
   This date holds a special significance because it was on the same day thirty-five years ago that her beloved husband, “Red” passed away. 
   She was born April 24, 1933, in El Maton, Texas, the youngest child of the late Ludwig and Clara Popek Junek. 
   In 1950 she graduated from Wharton County Junior College as an LVN. 
   On July 21, 1951, she married Clarence “Red” Piwonka, Sr. and together they raised ten children. 
   Emma spent her married years helping Red manage their grocery store and farming operations in Blessing, all while taking care of a house full of children.  
   When Red passed away in 1985, she was able to keep the farm going while stepping into the role of loving grandmother. 
   She was always ready to whip up a meal or welcome another addition to her big family.