Leo J. Triska of El Campo died on March 17, 2001 at the age of 79. He was born March 23, 1921 in Nada, TX to the late Frank and Rosie Trcka Triska.

He was a funeral director for 59 years, and owned Triska Funeral Home and El Campo Monuments & Memorials.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Roeder Triska of El Campo. He is survived by his children Carol Vacca and husband Herman of Houston, Jimmie L. Triska and his wife Ceci of El Campo, Bob Triska and wife Annette of Houston, Marilyn Mahoney and husband Jack of Plano, Chris Triska and wife Tami of Dallas, Janice Danklefs and husband Kenny of Garwood, L.J. Triska and wife Debbie of Hawaii, and Lori Heuring and husband Jason of Houston. He has sixteen grandchildren: Jonathan, Jennifer and Joseph Vacca; Jeremy Triska and Desire Birdsong; Jared and Jacob Triska; Ryan and Rob Mahoney; Helena and Victoria Triska; Kristen, T.J. and Kelsey Danklefs; Zoe and Kai Triska.

He is survived by his sisters Annie Dusek of El Campo, Della Macha of Hungerford and Jennie Goleman of San Antonio.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers Jerry Triska, Frank Triska, Jr., and Richard Triska.

He was a graduate of El Campo High School and Landig College of Mortuary Science. He served in the U.S. Army as Staff Sgt. He was stationed in the Phillipines during WWII. He was a member of St. Philip Catholic Church, and the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus where he was past Faithful Navigator.

He was a charter member of the Elks Lodge 1749 and the El Campo Country Club. He belonged to the K.J.T., Sons of Hermann, Lions Club, S.P.J.S.T., Czech Heritage Society, the V.F.W. and American Legion Post 251. He was a past director for the El Campo Chamber of Commerce and a past member of the El Campo Volunteer Fire Dept. He was a former member of the National Funeral Directors Assoc. and the Texas Funeral Directors Assoc.He was an original member of the committee to build St. Philip Catholic School, where all eight of his children and two grandchildren attended.

Because of his strong patriotic feelings, he began a program to display the flags that had been presented to the widows of deceased veterans. These flags are flown in a local cemetery on national holidays. This program has grown over the past 20 years so that the American Legion Post 251 has taken it over.

Visitation will begin on Monday at 10:00 am in Triska Funeral Home. A wake service will be held on Monday at 7:30 pm in St. Robert's Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday at 3:00 pm in St. Philip Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Petering, Rev. Frank Lenz, Rev. Joseph Koebel, Rev. Thu Nguyen and Rev. Gary Janak co-celebrating. Graveside services will follow at Holy Cross Memorial Park with full military honors under the auspices of the American Legion Post 251.

Serving as pallbearers will be Leo's sons and sons-in-law.

Honorary bearers are Frank Bubela, Luther Bandy, Toodie Brady, Msgr. J.A. Petru, Bubba Lormand, Alvin "Poochie" Pounder, Delfin Marek, Ralph Riha, Albert Wied, Lawrence Charbula, Dr. Hugh Wiley, and members of the El Campo EMS and Volunteer Fire Depts.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Philip School Endowment Fund 304 W. Church St., El Campo, TX 77437; St. Philip School Maintenance Fund or to the Victoria Diocese Retired Priest Fund.

Arrangements are under the direction of Triska Funeral Home.

Posted by Darlene Baker