Mr. Joe S. Kostelnik, 81, of Hallettsville, died Oct. 15, 2007. He was born on Aug. 6, 1926 to Steve & Karolina Bujnoch Kostelnik Sr., in the Wied Community of Lavaca County, Texas. He married Lydia Pivonka Kostelnik on July 29, 1947 at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Joe was a veteran of WWII; a member of the V.F.W., American Legion, the St. Isidor Society, and St. Mary's Catholic Church. During WWII, he received the Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, and Philippine Liberation Medal.

Joe retired from Kasper Wire Works. He loved his garden, especially when it was full of vegetables. You could always see him on his tractor checking on his cattle by the creek. He enjoyed his family, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and his companionship of dogs.

Joe is survived by: son Henry J. Kostelnik Sr. & wife Ann of Hallettsville; 2 daughters, Barbara Matula & husband James of Hallettsville, and Patricia Steffek & husband David A. of Hallettsville; brother Tom Kostelnik of Hallettsville; sister Frances Dolezal of Bellaire; half-sister Emilie Kremling of Yoakum; sister-in-law Jo Ann Kostelnik; 12 grandchildren, Henry Kostelnik Jr., Karen Steffek, James Matula Jr., Laura Ulcak, Lisa Matula, Michelle Matula, Kevin Matula, Susan Klesel, Sandra Starns, Christine Haas, Sharon Henrichs, and David J. Steffek; and 16 great grandchildren, Kelsey and Dillon Steffek; Sarah, Eric and Brent Kostelnik; Melissa and Jessica Klesel; Colton, Kylee and Kayla Starns; Briana, Carley, Brady and Clayton Haas; Kirsten and Ky Kremling, and one great-grandchild on the way.

Joe was preceded in death by wife Lydia on April 9, 2005; parents; brother Steve Kostelnik Jr.; sister Julia Ann Sassin; and half-sister Ann Moore.

Service: 10 am, Friday, Oct. 19, 2007 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Visitation: 12 noon, Thursday at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosaries: 7 pm Thursday at Kubena Funeral Home; and 9:30 am Friday at St. Mary's Church. Officiate: Rev. John Peters. Pallbearers: Henry Kostelnik Jr., James Matula Jr., David J. Steffek, Kevin Matula, Marty Steffek, Dwayne Klesel, Chad Starns, Brian Haas, Scott Henrichs, Patrick Ulcak, and Daniel Jalufka Sr. Burial: St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.