PAUL MARTINKA

PAUL MARTINKA

GEORGETOWN - Our loving Paul Martinka, 94, of Georgetown, passed away Sunday, June 24, 2012. He was born to Frank J. Martinka, Sr. and Mary Nejtek on December 8, 1917 in Granger, Texas.
He graduated from Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic School in Granger, Texas. As a young man, he met his future wife, Martha Strmiska, at a softball game where they were both playing. As he was running to base, he collided with her causing her much loved necklace to break. Despite his actions, he and Martha were married on November 22, 1938 at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Granger, Texas and together continued to love the game of baseball especially the Astros and Rangers. They moved to the 4-T Ranch on Highway 195 (now part of Sun City) in 1941 where Mr. Martinka was a farm and ranch foreman. Mr. Martinka and his family became members of Saint Helen Catholic Church at that time and became very involved and faithful. In the past, he was a parish council member and worked many of the parish festivals by cooking barbeque in the late night and early morning hours.
Mr. Martinka became a daily mass attendant after the death of his beloved, Martha, in 2009. He was involved with the Soil Conservation District and received the Man of the Year award in 1953 and was a past member of the Jarrell ISD Board of Trustees. After leaving the ranch in 1956, Mr. Martinka worked as a carpenter at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas and in Taylor at a cabinet manufacturing company. In 1957, Mr. Martinka moved his family to his present home in downtown Georgetown and worked for the Texas Highway Department in the District #14 Road and Bridge Crew for 23 years and retired in 1979 at the age 62. He remained active by working many construction jobs in the local area with his sons Gene and Edward, building a home with Bill Stump and by mowing many lawns in town. He was still caring for several lawns in the month of May this year.
Mr. Martinka was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who devoted himself to caring for his family and all those around him. He loved working in his flower and vegetable gardens and helped many friends and neighbors. Mr. Martinka was known for his beautiful poppy flowers that draped his yard and had grown used to people stopping and taking pictures of their red rich color. He was known to give away many small packets of seeds to anyone who asked for some. He had a talent for grafting pecan trees and taught classes for grafting won ribbons and plaques for his pecans.
Mr. Martinka was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Timothy Martinka, Frank Martinka, George Martinka, John Martinka, Pete Martinka, Hattie Stuckley, Anne Klepac, Helen Oryschak, Martha Kaderka; his son, Virgil James Martinka, his daughter, Betty Jean Martinka; and a grandson, Christopher Alan Reeder.
He is survived by his sons, Edward Martinka and his wife, Lillie of Victoria, Texas; Gene Martinka and his wife, Nancy of Killeen, Texas; and daughters, Shirley Reeder and her husband, Larry of Georgetown, Texas; and Paula Osuna and fiancé, John Banks of Rock Round, Texas and sisters Mary Kuba of Altair, Texas, Agnes Polasek of Shiner, Texas, Tracy Gilliam of Granger, Texas, and brothers, Cyril Martinka of Cranston, Rhode Island, Bill Martinka of Chicago, Illinois, Joe Martinka of Marble Falls, Texas, and Henry Martinka of Bartlett, Texas. Mr. Martinka was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Pam Reeves and her husband, Danny and their children, Dannelle Heinhold and her husband, Sheldon, and children, McKenzie and Blaine, and Cody Reeves and his wife, Jennifer; Connie Boedeker and her husband, Lloyd and their children Bethany and Brandon; Michael Martinka and his wife, Stacee and their children, Jackson and Brody; Sheila Martinka; Lisa Jewell and her husband, Tommy and their daughter Victoria; Cindi Wheat and her husband, Paul and children, Jordan and Justin Mueller; Gene-a Salvati and her husband, Adam and their children, Sara and Caroline; Jauna Cothran and her husband, Bryan and their children, Kemble and Nate; Jarret Martinka and his wife, Becky and their children, Tyler and Jacob; Cozette Brannon and her husband, Jeff and their children, Collin, Colton and Gavin; Steven McCullough and his wife, Geanne; Jennifer Wade and her children, Andrew, Adam, Ethan, Emily, and Elliot; Stephanie Lawless and her husband, Chris and their children Peyton and Harrison; Philip Reeder and his son Ayden; Patrick Reeder and his wife, Jen; Amanda Osuna , Micala Osuna and Emily Banks and numerous nieces and nephews and other family members and many faithful friends.
Family visitation will be at 6:00 with the rosary service at 7:00 on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at St. Rita Activity Center at St. Helen Catholic Church. The funeral mass is scheduled at St. Helen Catholic Church on Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Our Lady of the Rosary cemetery with the bereavement reception following at St. Rita Activity Center on the church grounds.
Pallbearers are Michael Martinka, Jarret Martinka, Philip Reeder, Patrick Reeder, Steven McCullough, Danny Reeves, Lloyd Boedeker, Adam Salvati, Chris Lawless, Jeff Brannon, Tommy Jewell, and Paul Wheat.
Charitable contributions may be made in the memory of Paul Martinka to Georgetown Meals on Wheels, c/o Richard Gruver, Treasurer, 105 Olive Branch, Georgetown, Texas 78633 or St. Vincent De Paul, c/o St. Helen Catholic Church, 2700 East University Avenue, Georgetown, Texas 78626.
The family thanks all their friends and family for the tremendous outpouring of love and the continued support during this difficult time and special thanks to the hospital staff at St. Davids-Round Rock and to the staff of A-MED Hospice. May God continue to bless each of you.
Personal words of comfort may be sent to the family online at www.gabrielsfuneral.com.