HLUCHANEK
Joe John Hluchanek, passed away Oct. 9 at the age of 88. He was born in Holman Oct. 7, 1933 to John J. Hluchanek and Frances (Hajovsky) Hluchanek.
He attended Holman, La Grange and Columbus Schools and graduated in 1952 from Columbus High School. He attended further studies at Texas A&M, for Business Management Classes. He was a member of the unbeaten and untied 1950 Regional Champion Columbus High School Football team, which was as far as a team could advance in the state at that time. The late Bill Hartley coached him.
After graduation he worked as an Office Manager at TCM Cement plant from 1952 to 1972, during which time he took Business Management courses from Texas A&M. Joe also worked after that time for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and sold cancer policies. One year he was the top salesman in the nation. In 1972 he took the Civil Service exam and started working for the United States Post Office, retiring in 1993, where he was “State Steward”.
Joe married Georgia Stock on Apr. 19, 1958 in Columbus. They lived all their lives in Columbus. He was a Board Member of Nesbitt Memorial Library, volunteered at the Columbus Community Hospital and was a Life member of the Republican National Committee. In 1980 he represented the City of Columbus in Columbus Ohio-Columbus USA Festivities to sit in as Mayor in their Columbus Day Parade. He has been active with his community of Czech Heritage and had many friends worldwide on social media. He was a life member of the Retired Rural Letter Carrier’s Association, and served as State Steward while he was employed.
He enjoyed many years of traveling and watching the State Organization for the Cutting Horse area shows and competitions around the state. Joe played an accordion that was selftaught as well as some on the electric guitar, and a little on the piano. He was also an avid walker, and many would see him during the days of retirement walking all over town. He also had a horse named “Star”, and helped with many animals for years. He took care of many elderly family members over the years. He also enjoyed gardening and taking care of his lawn, checking in by phone with his Brother Steve, and having lunches with many in town wherever he might end up attending. After retiring from the US Postal Service in 1993 he and his wife Georgia, had taken travels to the
Midwest, and northeast U.S. They also had traveled to Hawaii in 1974, was in congruence with the winning honors for top Salesmen in US for Liberty Mutual, for Cancer policy’s. While there he was on the Don Ho show and on stage had the honor of singing, “God Bless America.” Joe was a lifelong member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Columbus.
Joe is survived by daughter Vickey Hluchanek-Monan and husband Patrick of Virginia; sons Jodie Hluchanek and wife Grissell Nouvis and Mike Hluchanek and wife Deanna; grandchildren Luke and Rocia Monan of Florida, Rose and Ray Duval of North Carolina, Blake Hluchanek, and Christopher Hluchanek all of Houston; brother Steve J. Hluchanek of San Antonio; nieces Susan Larette and husband John of San Antonio, Sharon Bliss and husband Brian of Houston, Audrey Schobel and husband Scott of Columbus, Diane Kern and husband Michael of The Woodlands, Deborah Seger of Austin, and Jennifer Stock of Dallas; nephews Mertes Seger, Jr., Bobby Seger and wife Eva of Austin, Howard Seger and wife Gerry of Schulenburg. Many great nieces and nephews as well as many cousins in Texas, Florida, South Carolina and California also survive Joe.
He is preceded in death by his parents John and Frances Hluchanek; spouse Georgia Mae Stock Hluchanek; sister and brother-in-law Irene and Bobby Prause all previously from Columbus; and one great-grandson Tristan Duke from York, PA.
Funeral services will be Thursday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus. Fr. Augustine Asante will officiate.
A rosary will be Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home, and at church on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Burial will be in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery in Columbus.
Memorials may be given to American Cancer Society, 2500 Fondren Rd., Suite 100, Houston, TX 77063 or Nesbitt Memorial Library, 529 Washington St., Columbus, TX 78934.
Online condolences may be given at www. hennekefuneralhome. com.