Memorials › John F. Stava

John F. Stava

21 Jun 1850 – 8 Dec 1938

Birth21 Jun 1850
Death8 Dec 1938
CemeterySaint Anthony Cemetery
Bruno , Butler County , Nebraska , USA
Added byScott on 09 Oct 2012
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/96472629

Bio

Born in the village of Biskupice, town of Hrotovice, county of Znojmo, Moravia, Austrian Empire (now in the Czech Republic). Married Frantiska Mencik on January 20, 1876 at the pastoral residence of Rev. John Lonergan, Catholic priest, Fremont, Nebr. ''''''''''' Butler County Press (David City, Nebr.), December 15, 1938, p. 1, cols. 6 & 7 DEATH OF JOHN STAVA FIRST BRUNO BUSINESS MAN Had Lived in the Community the Past 66 Years Bruno, Dec. 13 - John F. Stava, highly respected and oldest resident citizen and pioneer merchant of Bruno, died in his home at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon, Dec. 8. He had been ill with pneumonia for three days and passed away quietly in his sleep. He was 88 years, five months and 17 days of age. Funeral services were held Monday morning from the home to St. Anthony's Catholic church, Rev. F. J. Kopecky celebrating the requiem mass at 10 o'clock. The members of the Catholic Workmen lodge, of which Mr. Stava was a member, escorted the body in a procession from the home to the church and to its last resting place in St. Anthony's Catholic cemetery. The pallbearers were lodge members, Vaclav Wittera, William Kozisek, J. A. Kozisek, F. A. Novacek, Joseph Fiala and Henry Rerucha. All business places in Bruno were closed during the church services, out of respect to memory of Mr. Stava. John F. Stava was born in Biskupice, Znojmo, Moravia, in Czechoslovakia, June 21, 1850, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stava. The family emigrated to the United States and Butler county in 1872. Mr. Stava took up a homestead that year adjoining what is now Bruno and had lived continuously in this part of Butler county for the past 66 years. On January 22 [ sic ], 1876, his marriage to Miss Frances Menshik was solemnized at Fremont. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters, two of whom died in infancy. Besides his aged wife, he is survived by his sons, John R., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Frank A. of Lincoln and Edward J. and Dr. Ralph A. of Los Angeles, Calif., and the daughter, Mrs. J. M. Markitan of Bruno. All were present at the funeral. There are also eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren surviving. When the old F. E. & M. V. Railroad Company began laying the railroad, the Pioneer Town Site Company was dedicating, mapping and platting town sites along the railroad. Before the last spikes were driven J. F. Stava had purchased a lot on what later became the main street in Bruno and began excavating a cellar for the first building erected in Bruno, a general merchandise store. He had hauled and cut the lumber for the building at his farm home. This was in 1887, and in the same year the railroad company built a depot and called the station Skull Creek, which name was later changed to Bruno. Mr. Stava prospered with the times. He was a staunch supporter in the development of Bruno community and held numerous offices on the church, school, and village boards during his lifetime. In 1912 he turned the business over to his sons, John and Ralph, and retired. He devoted his last years to a quiet and peaceful life, finding interest and pleasure in his garden, trees, bees and chickens and in the simple joys of a well ordered life. He was a deeply religious and God-fearing man, a devout member of the Catholic church and for years was a daily attendant at mass. He was also a member of the Holy Name society. The sympathy of the entire community is extended to the bereaved. Out-of-town relatives in attendance at the funeral, other than members of the family, were Mrs. Kate Corry and daughter, Lena, and John and Emil Menshik, all from Omaha, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Shavlik, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ustohal and Mrs. Louis Shavlik, all from Linwood, Mr. and Mrs. George McKinzie, Mrs. Jerry Vanicek and Mrs. John Vopalensky, all from Schuyler, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Shavlik, from Ewing, Mrs. Fred Kadlecek, Mrs. Frank Maixner, Mrs. Clara Kolar, Fred Mazanec and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Shaloun, all from Dwight; Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Ably, of David City; Mr. and Mrs. Ludvik Mazanec, of Prague; Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf Rerucha, of Garrison; and Mrs. Anton Chladek, of Abie. _______ Card of Thanks - We wish to express our appreciation for the assistance and kindness of Rev. F. J. Kopecky, the choir who assisted at services, and to all our friends at time of death of our husband and father. Mrs. John F. Staa, Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Markitan, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Stava, Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Stava, Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Stava, Dr. and Mrs. Ralph A. Stava.

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