Pete (Patrick) Stavinoha

Pete (Patrick) Stavinoha of Ammannsville, 76, passed away at his home in Ammannsville on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 after a three-year hard-fought battle with brain cancer.

The funeral was held on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ammannsville. The parish rosary, led by Fr. Tim Kosler, and the Knights of Columbus rosary, led by Kenneth Miksch, was said at 1 p.m. Sunday before the Mass. The burial was in the church cemetery. Officiating was Fr. Kosler. Pallbearers were Ernie Miksch of Lake Jackson, Mark Stavinoha of Cypress, Mike Olle of Schulenburg, Frankie Osina of Ammannsville, Tom Tofel of Ammannsville, Daniel Heger of Columbus and Frankie Joe Krc of Stafford. Honorary pallbearers were Bobby Koenig of Dubina, Kenny Lev of Schulenburg and Andrew Srubar of Ammannsville.

Pete Stavinoha was born on April 20, 1944 in La Grange to Edmund and Betty (Kallus) Stavinoha. He attended schools in Ammannsville and Hostyn and graduated from Bishop Forest High School in 1962. He married Glenda Strobel on June 13, 1964 at St. Rose of Lima Church in Schulenburg. He was a trim contractor for 18 years in Houston before he and his family moved back to Ammannsville/Fayette County and he continued in construction but added ranching to his jobs.

If you spent more than a few minutes with Pete Stavinoha, you probably learned something from him. From swinging a hammer, swinging a bat or frying chicken at the Ammannsville picnic, he always knew the exact way to do things – his way. There is no doubt that Pete was the hardest-working man a person could meet. While he embodied hard work and dedication, he certainly also knew how to play hard which was evident in his many years of playing baseball in Houston and then in Schulenburg with the Merchants. He never turned down a chance to go hunting or fishing and never came home empty-handed. He loved his 42 domino games at Tofel’s Place and didn’t mind letting his friends know what they did wrong during a heated game. Pete also knew how to love hard and this shined through most in the love he had for his grandkids and great-grandkids. He loved every minute he had with them, teaching them through his many experiences – how to fish, hunt, play sports, work cattle, fixing “stuff” that they broke, everything. His family camping trips were the very best and there was never anything Popo couldn’t fix. He always had everything he could possibly need in his tool box or truck that might have been needed for any emergency.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Glenda Strobel Stavinoha; daughters, Stacey Heger and husband Roy of Ammannsville, Paula Fuchs and husband Dean of Burton, and Amanda Hermes and husband Jon of Cypress; and sons, Tim Stavinoha and wife Elizabeth of Manvel, and Tray Stavinoha of El Campo. Also surviving are nine awesome grandchildren and four beautiful great-grandsons; sisters, Betty Wagner and husband Melvin of Round Rock, and Cecelia Weyand and husband Lester of Cypress; brothers, Felix Stavinoha and wife Gloria of High Hill, and Leroy Stavinoha and wife Patsy of Caldwell; and sisters-in-law, Bernice Stavinoha of Weimar and Mildred Stavinoha of Weimar.

He was welcomed home by grandchildren, Caleb and Kelsie Heger; his parents, Edmund and Betty (Kallus) Stavinoha; his in-laws, Arthur and Frances Strobel; sister, Catherine Stavinoha; and brothers, Allen, Sydney, Eddie Jr., Flo and Tom Stavinoha.

The family requests that memorials be given to the Ammannsville KJT, St. Rose School in Schulenburg, Sacred Heart High Booster Club in Hallettsville, or the charity of one’s choice.

Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.