Werner Shimek

Werner joined his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in eternal rest on March 23, 2026. He was born at home on September 12, 1943, to Frederich and Frances (Kobza) Shimek in Schulenberg, TX, where he lived with his parents and 11 brothers & sisters on the family farm.

He attended Schulenberg High School in Schulenberg, TX where he was a member of the Future Farmers of America and the Shorthorn football team. There is question of which year he actually graduated, but the Class of 1962, claimed him as their own.

After graduation, he continued working on the farm helping his father and mother with the planting and harvesting of corn, cotton, and sugar cane for molasses; as well as, tending to the various farm animals- among which were their horses: Sally, Ted, and Nancy; and his favorite dogs, Blacky and Champ. He eventually moved to “the big city” (aka, Houston, TX) to begin his lifelong work as a machinist of plastics in the oil & gas industry; first, with John L. Doré, and then, with Standco Industries.

Werner first saw his beloved wife, Charlene, at the Feast of the Assumption in Praha, TX when she was a young girl. They met again years later, when she was a bridesmaid at a wedding that he attended. At the reception, he asked her to dance, and they continued dancing all night long. They were married on July 8, 1967, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moulton, TX. After their honeymoon, Charlene joined Werner in Houston, where they began their married life of 54 years together. They raised 4 children - 3 boys and 1 girl. They endured the heartbreaking loss of another daughter who was born prematurely.

Because of the strong work ethic instilled in Werner by growing up on a farm, he often also worked 1 or 2 extra jobs to provide for his family. One of which was at Telxon, an electronics and chemical manufacturer. Another of which, was at the Sales and Administration offices of Ford Motor Company. Because Werner was never too proud to do an honest day’s work, he labored in janitorial and grounds maintenance for Ford; often bringing along one of his children, or even his entire family to help get the job done.

Werner never missed an opportunity to share with his children, the joy of working hard with your hands. When his oldest son got a paper route, Werner began working alongside him in support. This eventually evolved into the entire family working together to deliver the Houston Chronicle newspaper, daily, to a neighborhood of almost 1,300 homes. At times, even his nieces and nephews were enlisted to help.

He was known far and wide as a jack-of-all-trades, handyman, and the on-call MacGyver. He could fix anything, from household appliances to electrical or plumbing issues to automotive repairs. It was not uncommon for his children’s bikes and toys to be displaced from the garage to make space for the rebuilding of an engine or the complete overhaul of a transmission. Often, he could be found working late into the night to complete a repair. His children, if lucky, might happen by at just the right moment to be invited to take a car for a test drive. In the neighborhood of Willowood, and beyond, the answer to the question, “Who ya’ gonna call?” was, “Mr. Werner”.

Werner was built tough and sturdy and had a reputation for being a very stubborn man; a trait known to exist among the Shimek men of the family. But, under that tough exterior, there was also a tender core. He always gave greeting cards to his wife, Charlene, to celebrate special occasions. Somewhere along the line, he developed the curious habit of signing his cards to her with both his first and last name. Extended family always looked forward to the annual Christmas card selected, written, and sent out by Werner. When he was no longer able to write due to Parkinson’s disease, he still found joy in receiving cards; taking great interest in reading and re-reading every word someone took the time to send to him.

True to his farming roots, he found joy in continuing to raise a garden in the backyard of his suburban home. He made many trips back to Schulenberg with Charlene and the kids (aka “going down to the country”) to visit the farm, the grandparents, or to attend the annual family reunions where lots of Czech polka music was danced to, and lots of good Czech potluck dishes were eaten. When he was no longer able to dance due to Parkinson’s disease, he still found joy in watching Dancing with the Stars on TV.

He loved watching game shows like The Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune, as well as the soap operas he adopted as his own, after Charlene’s untimely passing in 2021. He found joy in playing games like bingo and Connect Four, as well as the lottery, meticulously keeping a record of every number and combination he ever played.

Werner was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Tomball, TX and was formerly a member of St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Houston, TX. He raised his children to know God. Without fail, he took intentional pause from work, to take his family to Sunday School and Mass each Sunday morning to honor God. In the final months of his life, it became necessary for him to live with his daughter and son-in-law, where he was able to attend the weekly, online services of the Clear Creek Church of Christ in Chattanooga, TN.

In the last months of his life, even though Parkinson’s disease affected his voice, he still steadfastly re-affirmed his faith and belief in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. As a man of few words, the scripture, 1 Thessalonians 4:11 best embodies Werner’s life: “Make it your ambition to live quietly and peacefully, and to mind your own business and work with your hands; just as you have been instructed.”

Werner was preceded in death by his parents, Frederich and Frances (Kobza) Shimek; wife, Charlene Mary (Beyer) Shimek; father and mother-in-law Charles and Stazie (Rehak) Beyer; son, Ronald Shimek Sr, and daughter, Melissa Shimek; brothers, Otto, Melvin, Ewald, Benjamin, Felix, and Harvey Shimek; sisters, Evelyn Konvicka and Gladys Hoelscher; brothers-in-law, Laddie Konvicka, Harvey Beyer, and Leslie Beyer Sr; sisters-in-law, Rosalee Shimek, RoseMary Shimek, Patsy Shimek, and Sue Shimek; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family.

Werner is survived by his son, Wayne (Tracy) Shimek; daughter, Jennifer (Steve) Dunn; and son, Kenneth (Nelly) Shimek; grandchildren, Kayla (Mitchell) Halstead; Preston (fiancée Natalie) Shimek; Ronald Shimek Jr, Madeline Shimek, Scotty Shimek, Sophia Shimek, and great grandson, Hunter Halstead; brother, Marvin (Jean) Shimek; sisters, Valerine (Alton) Christ, and Georgia (John) Klesel; sister-in-law, Joyce Beyer; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Serving as pallbearers: Wayne Shimek, Kenneth Shimek, Steve Dunn, Preston Shimek, Ronald Shimek Jr, and Leslie Beyer Jr

Honorary pallbearers: Scotty Shimek, Mitchell Halstead, Hunter Halstead, and Matt Dolberry

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hearth Hospice of Chattanooga, TN or to Houston Northwest Assistance Ministries- Meals on Wheels Program of Houston, TX.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Hearth Hospice in Chattanooga TN; Food City Pharmacy in Red Bank, TN; Modern Vintage Home Care in Houston, TX; his physicians at Kelsey Seybold Clinic in Houston, TX; and The Meals on Wheels Program of Houston Northwest Assistance Ministries in Houston, TX; and also give a special thanks to his nurse aides, Maranda and Star.