Ralph John Smetana, Sr.

Ralph John Smetana Sr. passed away on Thursday January 7, 2010 at Shannon Hospital. He lived 76 years and enjoyed life to the fullest. Services will be provided by Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. Rosary will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday January 12th at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena Texas. Mass will be held there at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday January 13th. Burial will follow at the St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery.

Ralph was born to Emil and Josephine Schustek Smetana Sr. on April 10, 1933 in Westphalia Texas in Falls County. Ralph moved to Paint Rock Texas in Concho County in 1945 to farm in the Dry Hollow area with his parents. He attended Dry Hollow and Eola Schools. Ralph married his sweetheart Ellen Frances Kasberg in Rowena Texas at St. Joseph Catholic Church on May 6, 1952. In 1995, he retired from farming and they moved to Rowena.

He is survived by his loving wife Ellen Frances (Nancy) of Rowena Texas; daughters – Debra and husband Jock Stewart of San Angelo, Cindy and husband Tim Carpenter of Paint Rock, and E’Lisa Smetana of San Angelo and special friend James Gilbreath of Christoval; sons – Ralph Smetana Jr. and fiancé Vickie Cooke of Sonora, Glenn Smetana and wife Cheryl of Eola, Clyde Smetana and wife Melissa of Veribest, Wayne Smetana and wife Becky of Eola, and Chris Smetana and wife Lynda of Ingleside. He is survived by a sister Gertrude Holubec of Eola, seventeen grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and family friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Emil and Josephine Smetana Sr., four sisters, and six brothers.

Our father did not have much, but he left a little bit of himself with every one of us. He touched many lives and shared pieces of history and family folklore, not to mention advice and help whenever we asked. He never met a stranger and his favorite pastime was visiting and talking with everyone. He loved the outdoors and every stray cat in Rowena knew they would find a home at his house. His acquired knowledge, his voice, and all those many notes he wrote for us will be missed by his family and friends.

The family would like to send a special thank you to the doctors and staff at Shannon Hospital 4 South and the ICU, Dr. Folano and her staff, Medway Home Health and the Runnels County Meals for the Elderly for their care of our father. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Runnels County Senior Citizens Meals for the Elderly.