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Shiner Gazette Shiner,Tx June 8, 1989 IMPRESSIVE RITES FOR WWII VETERAN, LIFELONG RESIDENT, BUSINESSMAN
His body was brought to Shiner and lay in state at the Buffington Funeral Home Chapel where a rosary was recited Friday evening, June 2, led by Deacon Paul Patek. Funeral services were held at 10 AM Sat June 3 at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Shiner with Holy Mass celebrated by Rev. Daniel O'Brien assisted by Rev. Patrick Fidgeon of Ganado. Rev Father Sean Donohue, Shiner pastor, was scheduled for the Mass, but his sudden illness and death at 6:30 AM Saturday brought additional profound sorrow to the sad occasion. Willie Vesely led the Knights of Columbus rosary recited at 9:30 AM in the church before the Mass. Mrs. Elvera Jaks played the organ prelude choosing a number of selected hymns. A large group of adult church choir members, directed by Mrs. Georgia Hybner, accompanied by Cynthia Jahn at the pipe organ, sang hymns during the Mass. Ewald Erdelt served as lector and altar attendants were Bill
Vesely and Allan Ondrusek. MILITARY RITES Members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts in Shiner formed an honor guard at the church and for the graveside and burial rites in the Shiner Catholic Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were nephews, Raymond Spann, Adolph Spann, Edward Simper, all of Victoria; Bob Harry of Houston; Robert Lee Baros of Austin; Clarence Bohuslav of Komensky; and family friends and neighbors, Daniel Peters, Sr., and Frank E. Streng, both of Shiner. Veterans and fellow members conducting the military rites were the color bearers and color guards, Emil Chumchal, Johnny E. Hajek, B. J. Machart, Emmett Blohm, David Condel, with Rudy Chilek as squad-leader. The honor guard presented arms during a rendition of "Taps", the final call to rest for all soldiers, in charge of Adolph Seidenberger. Chaplain Ewald Erdelt read the ritualistic committal rites and
presented the folded flag to Mrs. Baros, widow of the deceased. SERVICE RECORD Baros entered the military service Nov 13 1942 and was assigned to the Army Air Force. He was first stationed at Randolph Field near San Antonio. He attended a military school at Buckley Field, Colorado for
police training and was assigned to the 1123rd Military Police
Company. His next assignment was overseas at Clark Air Base in the
Philippine Islands where he completed his tour of duty. Upon his
return to the States, he was honorably discharged on Feb 7 1946 at
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, with the rank of Sergeant. SHINER NATIVE Martin Rudy Baros, the youngest of 13 children, was born on the family farm May 5 1913 near Shiner in the Dreyer-Kokernot area, son of Frank and Christina Martinak Baros, natives respectively of Czechoslovakia and Frelsburg, Texas. His family moved in the late 1800's east of Shiner in the Kokernot area, later moving near Dreyer. When Martin was about five years of age, his parents and other members of his family moved to Shiner and located in a large home where the new Shiner Fire Station now stands. His parents opened the "Baros Hotel" in their home. Many years later the hotel-home burned to the ground. Martin grew up in Shiner and attended St. Ludmilla Academy. As a teenager, he first worked at the Kokernot Store. He was later employed a the Spoetzl Brewery, a job he held for several years until the outbreak of World War II. On Nov 14 1933 he was married to Sophie Spann of Shiner in the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Shiner, with the Rev. L. P. Netardus officiating. The couple established their home in Shiner where they resided continuously. In 1983, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. After his discharge from the service he returned to Shiner where he operated an Exxon Service Station on Hwy 90A in Shiner for several years. Later, he and his wife operated a cafe, also on Hwy 90A, for a short time. Following this he operated his own trucking business for many years until his retirement in 1978. During his retirement years, he was not idle and remained active in many ways. Among his activities were operating the parochial school buses, maintaining the Catholic Church and school grounds. In addition, he spent several years doing part-time work for Lavaca County, Precinct 3. He was also active in his church and community being a lifetime member of the Shiner Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 3081, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6209; and American Legion Post 201, all in Shiner. Surviving are his devoted wife of some 55 years, Mrs. Sophie Spann Baros of Shiner; one sister, Mrs. Louis (Christine) Champion of Shiner; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother on March 6, 1933; his father on August 24, 1946; seven brothers, Jimmie Baros at age 14; Frank Baros, Jr. on September 12, 1951; William J. "Bill" Baros on August 15, 1958; John A. Baros on October 14, 1961; Albert L. Baros on December 8, 1964; Lt. Col. Rudy J. Baros, USAF (Ret) on February 5, 1980; Charles F. Baros on September 28, 1984; four sisters, Mrs. H. R. (Celestina "Sallie") Brunner on July 25, 1979; Mrs. Cecil (Justine) Harvey on September 20, 1987; and infants, Frances Baros and Mary Baros. Relatives and friends from far and near gathered to pay their
last respects. Though he has departed from our midst, he still lives
in the hearts of those who loved and knew him best. May his soul
rest in peace. Posted by Dan and Bea Rost, La Grange
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