Frank Joe Darilek

Frank was born on January 14, 1925 to Josephine and Frank Darilek, Czech immigrant farmers. Following his Army and Air Corp service as a fire fighter in Italy during World War II, he returned home where he met and married his sweetheart, Evelyn Ducho on November 12, 1946. They settled on their farm south of Moulton and proceeded to raise six children and establishing themselves as integral leaders of the church, school and community. He was a farmer, rancher and carpenter, working the land growing cotton and corn, raising chickens, pigs and cattle. He used his carpenter skills to expand the farm house as the family grew. He was very active with St Joseph’s Catholic Church where he served on the Church Council and as a long-term member of the Knights of Columbus. Recognizing the importance of education, he served on the Moulton ISD school board as trustee and president. He served his community as a lifetime member of both the VFW and the American Legion and as the 40 year President of the local branch of Hochhiem Prairie Farm Mutual Insurance. In 1990, he retired after working 23 years at Kasper Wire Works. He will be remembered for his love of Czech songs, his talent with the accordian and his hard work and dedication.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife of over 69 years, Evelyn, his parents Josephine (Beran) and Frank Darilek, his sister Vlasta Mikes and her husband Edward, his sister Della Darilek, his sister Olga Darilek, and his daughter-in-law Anne Darilek (wife of Michael). He was the last surviving member of the Birthday Group.

He is survived by six children: Diana Kloesel and her husband Harvey, Elyse Chaloupka and her husband Gene, Beverly Darilek and her husband Larry Koch, Robert Darilek, Joan James and her husband Roy, and Michael Darilek. His grandchildren and (great-grandchildren): Laura Parsons and her husband David (Lawson, Lincoln and Alec), Jason Kloesel and his wife Renee (Colten and Walker), Chad Chaloupka and his wife Niki (Landon), Krisie Janak and her husband Marty (Lily and Claire), Scott Chaloupka and his wife Kim (Eli, Isaiah and Clayton), Craig Darilek and his wife Laurie (MacKenzie and Avery), Stacey Collins and her husband Dee (Hailey), Shelley Arkell and her husband Steve (Allison and Jared), Brant Darilek and his wife Samantha (Taylor, Jake and Tabitha), Trey Darilek and his wife Karla (Trevor, Kaelyn and Trent), Ross Darilek and his wife Tara (Deacon), Blake Darilek, Ashley James (Payten), Holly Conant (Kendall), Heather Kelly and her husband Alan (Conner), Chelsey Cisneros and her husband Chris (Liam, Sophie and Easton), Shayne Johnson and his wife Lindsay (Braydon and McKenzie), Angelina Guzman, and Anthony Guzman.

Services are scheduled for Monday, June 8, 2020 at the St Joseph’s Catholic Church Social Center. Viewing at 9:00am and Rosary at 9:30am followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00am. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Frank’s life. Pallbearers are Jason Kloesel, Chad Chaloupka, Scott Chaloupka, Craig Darilek, Brant Darilek, Trey Darilek, Ross Darilek and Blake Darilek. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Joseph’s Social Center, Hospice of South Texas at www.hospiceofsouthtexas.org or a charity of your choice.

Words of comfort can be posted and shared with the family at www.smithfuneralhomemoulton.com

Smith Funeral Home - 404 West Bobkat Dr. Moulton, Texas 78941 Phone # 361-596-4631