Celestine Darilek

Celestine Veselka Darilek, Age 93, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015 in Houston, Texas. She was a long-time resident of Houston. She was born November, 1921 in Hillje, Texas. She grew up in Fayetteville, Texas. Celestine is preceded in death by her newborn son Robert, daughter, Joyce Lynn Stevenson; parents: Johnnie & Cora Veselka; Siblings: infant brother, Gilbert, young sister, Minnie Mae, Elo & Mary Ann Veselka, Leroy & Margie Veselka, Earline & Quentin Hoffman, sister-in-law, Cynthia Veselka, brothers - in - law: Warren Anderson, Pat Taylor, Robert Landry, and Bill Moore. Survivors include: daughter: Rose Rohlfing, daughter: Jo Ann Dunlavy & husband Rick, son: Henry Darilek & wife, Genie, daughter: Cora Nowak & husband, Ted, Son-in-law: Terry Stevenson, daughter: Marjorie Nowak & husband Mike, son: David Darilek & wife, Nan, son: Thomas Darilek & wife Debbie; Grandchildren: Erica Rohlfing, Jonathan Rohlfing, Geoffrey Rohlfing & wife Laura, Tiffany Robinson & husband Evan, Brian Dunlavy, Carolyn Hubbell & husband Rob, Russell Dunlavy & wife Kelley, Sarah Dunlavy, Rachel Dunlavy & husband Tanner, Daniel Darilek, Emily Darilek, Matt Nowak & wife Allison, Julie Granger & husband John, Mark Nowak & wife KC, Valerie Nowak, Kathryn Nowak, Scott Stevenson & wife Beth, Charles Stevenson & wife Laura, Rebecca Stevenson, Elaine Riepe & husband Tim, Shelly Stevenson, Shirley Dees & husband Jordan, Randy Stevenson, Barbara Stevenson, Phillip Nowak & wife Carrie, Kevin Nowak & wife Katie, Tracy Nowak, Justin Nowak, Jennifer Miller & husband Ray, Amy Hunter & husband Ben, Donna Darilek, Sandra Darilek, Dylan Darilek, Ryland Darilek, and Brenna Darilek; Great grandchildren: Greta Rohlfing; Luke Dunlavy; Jayden, Jared, & Jonah Hubbell; Carter, Anna Kate, & Ryan Nowak; Wells & Alex Granger; Ella, Andrew, & Nicholas Nowak; Jack, Will, & Sam Stevenson; Kelly Riepe; Anna Gray Stevenson; Jolly Nowak; Rex & Ava Miller; Lilly Hunter; and 4 on the way; Siblings: Cora Taylor, Matilda Moore, Delphine & Henry Novak, and Johnnie & Dusty Veselka and also many loving nieces, nephews, and friends--old and new for all the parts and times of her life. Those who met her claimed her as their friend. Mother moved to Houston from Fayetteville in 1937 and met her future husband, Rudy, at a Polka dance. They married in 1942 just prior to Dad beginning his training in the Army Air Corps. They celebrated 72 years of marriage this last November. After the war, they settled in West University to begin their large family. Our mother was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. She belonged to SPJST Lodge #88 and KJZT. She loved sewing, baking, gardening, and raising her family. She was a wonderful seamstress, and made clothes for herself, her daughters, grandchildren, and numerous clients throughout the Houston area. Mother had a green thumb and enjoyed working in her garden and canning her homegrown pickles. She also supplied us with jelly made from wild dewberries gathered at the family farm. In her later years she grew cotton and Bluebonnets in the flower beds at the house in West University to remind her of the times growing up on a cotton farm in Fayette County. Mother was loved by family and friends and continued her sewing business up to the last days of her life. Countless people have told us what a dear sweet lady she was. She is an example to us all of strength, faith, and hard work. She will be missed by many, but we know she is probably already taking in the hem on St. Peter's robe in heaven! Visitation was held on Thursday, February 19, 2015 from 6-7 PM with a rosary at 7PM at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church located at 6800 Buffalo Speedway in Houston. A funeral Mass was held at 10:00 am Saturday, February 21, 2015 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Moulton with Father Gabriel Maison officiating. Burial followed in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Smith Funeral Home-404 West Bobkat Drive-Moulton, Texas 77975-Phone#-361-596-4631
Rosary Service Thursday, February 19, 2015

Funeral Service Saturday, February 21, 2015