Thomas Mark "Pete" Chovanetz, 62, of Hallettsville, passed away Sunday, December 11, 2016 at Stevens Nursing and Rehab Center in Hallettsville, Texas. He was born on August 17, 1954 in Hallettsville to Alfred August & Viola Cecilia Rother Chovanetz.

Pete was one of God's special children. He was born without functioning thyroid levels when babies were not routinely tested for thyroid levels. After 2 years, when discovered, this caused him to be permanently mentally handicapped and have physical features similar to Downs Syndrome (Cretinism). And so, God gave us Pete: funny, loved, jokes, hugs, Dr. Pepper (Pepi), ice cream, beer, fried chicken, twinkies, going places with his mother or brother "Tiny", and of course pretty girls. To him, all girls were "purrty" and he would tell them so. Back then there were no special-ED schools, so he did attend some "workshop-vocational" schools. But he found his role in life as being in charge of public relations at his Dad's, then his brother, Tiny's feed store. He greeted everyone and usually had some comment about them. Everyone knew Pete and he knew them. One of his favorite things to do was to go for a country drive checking cattle while splitting a quart of good ol' Shiner beer between his mother and Aunt Helen Grafe. He loved music, usually standing at the bandstand directing them, or he would be asking his "girlfriends" to dance.

Tommy is survived by: 3 brothers, Frank Chovanetz, Alfred Chovanetz & wife Marilyn, Dennis Chovanetz & wife Barbara all of Hallettsville; 2 sisters, Francine Couch & husband Jimmie of Hallettsville, and Mary Sue Brzozowski & husband Billy of Sweet Home; 12 nephews, Chad, Randall and Eric Chovanetz; Dustin and Cody Couch; Michael, David, Greg, Daniel and Scott Bradberry; Philip and Matthew Jedlicka; 7 nieces, Robyn and Amy Chovanetz; Keri Moczygemba, Kristy Muehlstein, Jessica Rainosek, Sherry Machicek and Diane Bradberry; and several great nieces & nephews. He loved being "Uncle Pete". Whenever a new baby came into the family, he would proudly say, "Me uncle-Uncle Pete".

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents and sister Marilyn Chovanetz.

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Thursday, December 15, 2016, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 4 pm, Wednesday, at Kubena Funeral Home with Rosary at 7 pm. Pallbearers: Michael Bradberry, Randy Chovanetz, Eric Chovanetz, Scott Bradberry, Dustin Couch, and Krystian Brzozowski. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters. Memorials: Sacred Heart Catholic Church or School, National Association of Downs Syndrome, or Donor's Choice. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.