Anton Zavadil

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Anton Zavadil, 97, passed away May 20, 2017. Anton was born on November 19, 1919 in Gonzales County and was adopted as an infant by Frank Joe and Francis Malatek Zavadil. He spent the majority of the next 85 years on the Zavadil farm planting crops, fixing farm equipment, tending livestock and caring for his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Francis Zavadil, and siblings from his two families; Edwin (Dorothy) Zavadil, Frank (Rosie) Zavadil, Hattie Benes, Otto Kotwig, Julius Kotwig, John Kotwig, Walter Kotwig, Harry Krum, sisters Rose Skaggs, Bonnie Castillo, Dollie Droemer, Lillie Davidson, and Emma Ernst. He was preceded in death a beloved nephew, Larry Zavadil and niece Evelyn Kridler.

Anton is survived by his great-nieces and long-time caregivers Jacquelyn (Mike) Mikesh and Lynda (Stewart) Frazier. He also survived by niece Georgia (Dennis) Sweezea and great-nieces Lori (Ron) Bauml, and Leah (Lance) Behlen, niece Dorothy (Bobby) Volk and local nephews Joe Kotwig and Ricky Kotwig. Anton is survived by two siblings; Carol Lagasse (California) and Wesley Krum (Oregon). He is survived by many other loving nephews and nieces.

In the late 1930’s Anton joined the Civilian Conservation Corp and worked on several projects across Texas. He returned home to Gonzales and worked long hours on the family farm planting cotton, corn, and maize, thus allowing his brother, Frank, to work in town as a carpenter. He spent many happy evenings fishing and camping along the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers with his brothers and nephews. In his later life, Anton enjoyed trips to the farm for family gatherings where he would ride on the Polaris to check the cows, study the hay field, make venison sausage and help maintain the garden. He was the official family “taste-tester” of dill pickles and venison sausage. As recently as January 2017, he declared the sausage “good”. The highlight of his life were visits with his great-great-great nephews, Lyndon and Lyncoln Leal, whom he loved dearly. Anton cherished his family and never failed to inquire about the health and well-being of family members, near and far.

Anton was a life-long member of St. James Catholic Church and a Rosary will be held May 24 at 1 p.m. at St. James with a funeral Mass at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at the St. James Cemetery in Gonzales. Pallbearers are Jacob Leal, Blake Mikesh, Rick Frazier, Stewart Frazier, Joe Kotwig, and Frank Benes. Honorary Pall bears are Bobby Volk and Ricky Kotwig. Memorials may be made to charity of one’s choice or the Knights of Columbus Council 5090 Scholarship fund, PO Box 612, Gonzales, Texas. Friends my sign the guest book through www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.

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