James Andrew Jackel

December 15, 1938 -October 9, 2009

James Andrew Yackel, age 70 of East Bernard, passed away on Friday, Oct. 9, following an extended illness. He was born on Dec. 15, 1938, in Wharton, son of the late Edward Yackel and Millie Engbrock Yackel.

James grew up in Wharton. He married Sylvia Jane Pavlas on February 19, 1962, in Wharton. Throughout their marriage they lived in Brenham, Victoria, Cuero, Wharton, Bay City, and Gonzales, before moving home to East Bernard in 2003. James was a graduate of Wharton High and worked at HEB as the Market Manager for thirty-five years. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church. James was a faithful member of the Knights of Columbus for 50 years and a active member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus in Gonzales. His favorite times were spent with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Besides his parents, James was preceded in death by his son Michael James Yackel in 1969 and sister Connie Janicek in 2006.

Funeral mass services were held 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 12 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Hungerford with Father Henry Rachunek, Father Gabriel Espinosa, Father Donald Ruppert and Deacon Mr. Terry Brennan officiating. Interment followed in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation and rosary services were held Sunday evening at the Wharton Funeral Home.

Survivors include his wife, Sylvia of East Bernard; daughters, Mona Stockbauer and husband Don of Victoria and Margaret Yackel of San Marcos; sons, Martin Yackel and wife Christi of Brenham and Mark Yackel and wife Neely of Gonzales; sister, Marcella Foyt and husband, Clarence, of Houston, brother-in-law, Freddie Janicek of Wallis; and grandchildren, Carter Yackel, Claire Yackel, Reid Yackel, and Jake Yackel

Pallbearers were Kevin Pavlas, Greg Kubes, Mike Evans, Dennis Foyt, Ivan Janicek, Alan Pribyl, Bobby Padilla and Smokey Spahn.

Honorary pallbearers were Carter Yackel, Claire Yackel, Reid Yackel, Jake Yackel and members of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.

If desiring, memorials may be made to St. John’s Grotto Fund, P.O. Box 121, Hungerford, TX 77448.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Wharton Funeral Home.