Bruce Alan Schimcek, 63, of Hallettsville, passed away on Friday, Sept. 18.
Born in Weimar on May 19, 1963, he was the son of Hilton and Marian Angelina Janacek Schimcek. Bruce completed their family of six, and was affectionately known as “Bruce the Caboose.”
Bruce married Kelly Jobb of Hallettsville on July 29, 1995, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sweet Home. Their marriage was blessed with two wonderful children, first a daughter, Emily Anne Schimcek, and then a son, Brennan Cole Schimcek. Bruce and Kelly were fortunate to have 31 great years together spending time doing the things they loved. With the gentle nudge of his wife, Bruce recently became an altar server at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sweet Home at the early 7 a.m. Mass, where his wife played the organ and where he continued to learn more about his Catholic faith which made his family so very proud.
Bruce was well-known and loved as a hardware man at Grahmann’s True Value in Schulenburg, where he worked for many dedicated years. When customers would walk into the store, Bruce knew exactly what they needed. He had a solution to everyone’s problem, and if he couldn’t fix it, he would point that person in the right direction for them to do so. Bruce loved his family, and he loved the sunshine, being outside whether in his garden or piddling in the garage, cooking delicious meals on his Traeger pit (barbecuing something every Sunday), staying active and exercising, and of course, his many trips to the casinos. He was definitely a Mr. Fix It and he was a witty man who enjoyed laughing with others, a good game of checkers with his kids (he always won), listening to polka music and drinking his ice-cold Miller Lite. Without even realizing it, he set the bar high for what a good husband and father should be, which his children will cherish and remember forever. His presence will be missed by a multitude of people in the community who were blessed to know him.
Bruce is survived by his wife Kelly; daughter Emily; son Brennan and future daughter-in-law Macey Hoskins; sister Belinda Kay Miller and husband Danny Miller; brothers Ronnie Schimcek and Gary Schimcek; brother- in-law John Moore and sister-in-law Denise Moore; brother-in-law Keith Opela and sister-in-law Susan Opela; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins as well as countless family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister-in-law Jo Ann Schimcek; and brother-in-law Franklin Valla.
Rosary was recited on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, followed by visitation. Funeral Mass was held on Friday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sweet Home. Officiants at the Mass included Rev. Dominic Antwi-Boasiako, Msgr. Timothy Kosler, Msgr. John Peters, Rev. Robert Guerra, Rev. Christopher Bediako and Rev. Michael Rother. Honorary pallbearers were Kyle Moore, Seth Valla, Mike Grahmann, Greg Janik, Tammie Barta, David Kubos and Mike Trojacek.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Schulenburg, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sweet Home or a charity of the donor’s choice. “May he rest in eternal peace with Our Savior. We will forever love our ‘Brucie,’” his family writes.
Zoeller Funeral Home of New Braunfels was in charge of arrangements.