Memorials › Edward L. "Eddie" Kallus

Edward L. "Eddie" Kallus

17 Aug 1925 – 14 Dec 2011

Birth17 Aug 1925
Death14 Dec 2011
CemeteryHoly Rosary Catholic Church Cemetery
Hostyn , Fayette County , Texas , USA
Added byJoel Farringer on 31 Dec 2011
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82745661

Bio

Edward L. Kallus, 86, of Navasota, died Wednesday evening, December 14, 2011, at his home surrounded by his loving family. A viewing will be held from 12:00 to 5:00 pm Friday at Lindley-Robertson-Holt Funeral Home. Visitation with the family and friends will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 pm Friday at Christ Our Light Catholic Church (www.christourlight.org), of Navasota. A vigil service will be held at 7:00 pm followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 am Saturday at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 936 FM 2436, Hostyn, TX 78945 with Rev. Daniel P. Kahlich and Rev. Paul G. Felix of Shrine of the True Cross Catholic Church as the celebrants. The rite of committal will follow in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Matthew Kallus, Stephen Kallus, Ross Barnett, Bernard Kallus, Benedict Kallus and Dennis Kallus. Serving as honorary pallbearer will be Martin Kallus, MCRD, San Diego, CA. Eddie was born August 17, 1925 in Rutersville, Texas to Richard and Frances Kallus. The youngest of 11 children, he and has family later moved to Swiss Alp, where he claimed he walked to school which was in Hostyn, a good 3 miles away. Stories abound how he hated to walk to school so at the age of 12 he began to drive his Dad's model T. Of course he said his sisters did not want to walk, and by driving, he was doing them a favor. He struggled early on in school, having to be held back because he could not speak English. Czech was his primary language and he really had to learn English fast to further his education at La Grange High School. During his junior year of high school Eddie was called to serve his country and was drafted into the U.S. Army and did not get to finish high school. Eddie departed from Ft. Sam Houston on March 1, 1945 and served his country in battle for 2 years, 1 month and 12 days. His military occupation was an automatic rifleman, and earned his Combat Infantryman Badge on May 2, 1945. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon with a Bronze Start, a Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Ribbon, Japan Victory Ribbon and 3 Overseas Service Bars. He was honorably discharged on November 22, 1946. When he came home from the war, he completed his GED and received an Associate Degree from Blinn College. Of course by now, it was time to find a bride. In his day, wedding dances were public dances and that was the place to be to find that special girl. Janie Dolezal from Ammannsville caught his eye and as they say the rest is history. He proposed somewhere on the way to Dubina, Texas in the car and almost ran off the road. They safely made their journey and later were married at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on July 3, 1950. Eddie and Janie left La Grange for Navasota where he was offered a job with Schumacher Oil Works. He later went to work for International Paper Company where he spent the next 27 years until his retirement. As a member of Christ Our Light Catholic Church, formerly St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Eddie was a Eucharistic Minister, served on the parish council, volunteered in all ministries where needed, and helped raise the funds to build the new church through parish festivals and of course, bingo. He was known by all as someone who never shied away from work that needed to be done for the Church. Eddie would routinely bring Communion to the nursing home residents and would always entertain them with his smile and sense of humor. His greatest honor came in September of 1987, when was selected to be a participant in Pope John Paul II's visit to San Antonio where he was selected as one of the few individuals who was granted the opportunity to receive communion form Pope John Paul II. Three of his favorite volunteer organizations were the Knights of Columbus Council 4054 of Anderson, The St. Joseph 4th Degree Assembly of the Knights of Columbus and the Kiwanis Club of Navasota where he served as the treasurer for a number of years. Eddie could be seen serving the Kiwanis at their annual fundraiser at the Texas Renaissance Festival dressed as a monk. As a member of the Knights of Columbus, this was very important to Eddie, as it is the men's organization that serves the Church. Wherever the Church needed some help he was there with his fellow Knights to do what was asked. One of his favorite roles was playing Santa Claus to residents of the nursing home. They all loved him because he knew how to interact with people and make them feel good. If they were sad, his smile and sense of humor made their day seem more special. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Janie of Navasota; a son Chris Kallus and wife Diana of Victoria; a daughter, Bridgette Barnett and husband Randy of Houston; 6 grandchildren, Matthew Kallus and wife Angela, Stephen and Martin Kallus and Jordan, Alyssa and Ross Barnett; a brother, Jerry Kallus and wife Ann of LaGrange and sisters, Sr. Martha Kallus and Sr. Helen Kallus of Chicago, along with numerous other relatives and a great number of friends. Lindley-Robertson-Holt Funeral Home

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