Alan was raised in Nada, attended St Marys’ Catholic School and graduated from Rice High School with the class of 1983. He later graduated from Texas A&M University in 1987 with a degree in Wildlife Ecology. Alan married Kelly Mueller on Sept. 4, 1999, in Wharton. Alan owned and operated Zbranek Gravel business with his family first, and later with his wife, Kelly. He also owned Z Ranch, a cow calf operation. He was known as a hard worker, loved his cows and working in the hay field, being in the country, hunting and fishing, playing his harmonica, a good game of dominoes and going on epic family trips. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his nephew, Dustin Chudalla.

Alan is survived by his wife of 26 years, Kelly Zbranek, daughter, Erin Zbranek and fiancé Liam Short, sister, Janet Freeman and husband, Scott, father-in-law and motherin- law, Donald and Betty Mueller, sister-in-law Judy Mueller and sister-in-law, Donna Chudalla and husband, Hal, nieces, Sarah Shaffer and husband, Josh and their son, Jace, Miranda Chudalla and her children, Jackson and Kaylie Hodge, Sheldon Stephens and husband, Schuyler and nephew, Collin Freeman.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Wharton Funeral Home after 5 p.m. with a parish rosary recited at 7 .pm. Funeral Mass and Rite of Committal will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 10 a.m. at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Nada with Fr. Peter Yeboah – Amanfo celebrating the Mass. Burial will follow in St Mary’s Cemetery. Pallbearers include Paul Labay, David Staff, Antonio Catete, Wil Hundl, Howard Albert and Tate Albert.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Garwood Fire Department, St Johns Church Bui lding Fund in Hungerford or the St Marys’ Building Fund in Nada.

Funeral services under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www. whartonfuneralhome. com.