Henry Joseph Kostelnik Sr., 66, of Hallettsville, passed away on January 14, 2016. He was born on June 28, 1949 to the late Joe and Lydia (Pivonka) Kostelnik and grew up on a small farm in Wied. He married Ann Marie (Novak) Kostelnik on May 24, 1969 in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Together they had two children, the late Karen (Kostelnik) Steffek and Henry J. Kostelnik, Jr. and raised a strong, loving family.

Henry enlisted into the Army Reserves in July of 1968 and was honorably discharged in March of 1974. He was a member of the St. Isidor Society and the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

In May of 2014, Henry retired from Kaspar Wire Works in Shiner after 30 years of service as maintenance supervisor. Even before retirement, he enjoyed the simple things in life. Anytime of day, you could follow the sound of old polkas into his shop where he took pride in working on and repairing small engines and other gadgets for people in the community. He liked to spend time checking his cattle, feeding hay and waiting on calves to be born. He also enjoyed planting a variety of things in his garden but really had fun tilling and making rows with his old Farmall tractors he restored. Henry truly loved being and visiting with friends and family- especially his five grandchildren and riding around with them in his mule. He was a kind-hearted man who never met a stranger. The family will never forget helping him in the shop and big garden, enjoying what he cooked up in the kitchen or on the pit (Always something good!) and his endless jokes and silly faces.

Henry fought a very courageous battle with cancer; he was a fighter and had a smile on his face until he was called to his eternal home.

Henry is survived by his wife, Ann, of 45 years; son Henry, Jr. and wife Sandra; son-in-law Martin C. Steffek; sister Barbara Matula (James); brother-in-law David A. Steffek (Loretta); and five grandchildren Kelsey and Dillon Steffek & Sarah, Eric, and Brent Kostelnik.

Henry is preceded in death by his parents, sister Patsy Steffek, and daughter Karen Steffek, all of Hallettsville.

The family of Henry Kostelnik, Sr. would like to thank all the family and friends for their presence, visits, love, prayers and support during this time. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated and will be never forgotten.

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 4 pm, Sunday, at Kubena Funeral Home with Rosary starting at6 pm. Pallbearers: Pat Klekar, Mike Klekar, Donnie Migl, Mike Kostelnik, David J. Steffek, and James Matula Jr. Honorary Pallbearers: Kelsey and Dillon Steffek, Sarah, Eric and Brent Kostelnik, Robert Janak, and Charlie Janak. Officiant: Rev. Barnabas Kyeah. Memorials: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sacred Heart CCD Program, or Hospice of South Texas. Burial: St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.