Anton Steffek, 88, of Hallettsville, passed away July 1, 2010. He was born on June 13, 1922 to Anton J. & Antonia Pavliska Steffek in Hallettsville. He grew up on a farm in Providence, a small community southeast of Hallettsville in Lavaca County. As a boy, Anton loved to go squirrel hunting with his "22" and his dog. Many times he was credited with bringing home the family's meal. At the age of fourteen, having completed all eight grades, he graduated from Providence School and became a full time farmer with his dad. His love for harvesting pecans began and continued throughout his life.

In October 1942, at the age of twenty, Anton enlisted in the Service. A few days later, he boarded a bus for Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio and became a medic. Anton served for three years before being Honorably Discharged on January 9, 1946, with the rank of Corporal and returned home to the farm.

Anton met Mary Zabransky in the summer of 1946. Their friendship and love quickly developed, and they were married on May 20, 1947, at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Shiner. They made their home at Appelt's Hill, northeast of Hallettsville.

In addition to his farming and ranching, Anton worked for many years with the Hallettsville Distributing Company. He was a lifetime member of the Knight of Columbus, the American Legion, and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He loved to volunteer at the Sacred Heart Church picnics cooking stew. Anton truly enjoyed the game of dominoes. In 1953, he was a founder of the Texas State Domino Tournament.

Anton is survived by: his wife Mary of 63 years; 2 sons, Gilbert Steffek of Stafford, and Phillip Steffek & wife Phyllis of Houston; 3 daughters, Jeanette Pustka & husband Dan of Bay City, Mildred Grahmann & husband Donald of Houston, and Patty Grahmann & husband Edward of Hallettsville; brother Johnnie Steffek of Hallettsville; sister Frances Jurena of Hallettsville; 12 grandchildren, Jennifer Korinek, Stephanie Pustka, Toni Moss, Brian Steffek, Shane Steffek, Michelle Steffek, Amanda Steffek, Jackie Wisnoski, Jessica Grahmann, Shanna Clark, Stephen Grahmann, and Sarah Grahmann; 9 great grandchildren, Madison and Morgan Korinek, Evan and Brooke Wisnoski; Abigail, Brianna, and Allison Clark, Ainsley Grahmann, and Cooper Moss; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Anton was preceded in death by: infant son Paulie Wayne Steffek; his parents; 3 sisters, Annie Hessler, Janie Hermes, and Mary Stary.

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Saturday, July 3, 2010, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation: 2 pm, Friday at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosaries: 7 pm, Friday at Kubena Funeral Home; and 9:30 am, Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Officiate: Rev. John Peters. Pallbearers: Brian Steffek, Shane Steffek, Stephen Grahmann, Chris Korinek, John Paul Clark, and Brian Wisnoski. Honorary Pallbearers: Granddaughters. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Memorials: Sacred Heart Catholic Church or School, P.O. Drawer H, Hallettsville, Texas 77964.

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