Bennie Hejl

Funeral services for Bennie N. Hejl, 90, of Caldwell are set for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Strickland Funeral Home in Caldwell, with Rev. Joseph Polasek officiating. Interment will follow at Snook Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 3, 2017 also at the funeral home. Mr. Hejl passed away on February 1, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Manor in Caldwell.

Bennie Nathan Hejl was born October 23, 1926 to Vince and Frances Kosina Hejl, at their home in the Czech community of Volney, east of Caldwell. Bennie was the youngest of five children. His siblings were, John, Vince, Henry and Josephine Hejl. He graduated from Snook High in 1945. He married his wife, Emily Jane Orsag on July 3, 1948. Bennie & Emily had a daughter and three sons, Bonnie, Ronnie, B.J. (Bennie Jerome), and Donnie.

At the early age of 15, he lost his Father and was raised by his Mother and siblings. He attended the Snook Brethren Church with the Hejl family. He graduated from Snook High School and graduated in 1945. His first job was working as a school bus driver for the Snook ISD, retiring from that part time job after 40 years of service and rarely missed a day. He was a farmer and rancher on the family homestead, with his wife right by his side doing the work along with his children. He worked many side jobs to supplement the farm income, such as working at a grocery store, local cotton gins, a saw mill, furniture store, & other various jobs.

In his earlier years he was a 4-H Club Member, and later became a 4-H Leader. He was a member of the New Tabor Brethren Church, where he served as elder and member of the Men’s Brotherhood. In the last few years he was attending the Snook Brethren Church (which was his parent’s membership church) and where his neighbor, Brother Joseph Polasek is the pastor. He was a member of the Snook SPJST Lodge 9 and actively supported the annual fundraisers. He was also served as the Snook SPJST Hall Manager in the early 1950’s. He was originally a member of the Brazos County Farm Bureau and a director and eventually helped organize the Burleson County Farm Bureau and was a director for many years. He was a member of the Burleson County Young Farmers and a director. In 1970 he received the Outstanding Young Farmer Chapter Award. He served on the Burleson County Fair Swine Committee for many years. He actively supported the Burleson County Fair for years after by purchasing his grandchildren’s fair projects. He received the Farm Bureau “Pioneer Award” for 50 plus years of service in leadership and service for Farm Bureau and Agriculture.

His hobbies in early years were: coon hunting with his dogs, fishing with his kids, playing in local baseball league. Later his enjoyment was spent attending faithfully, the Caldwell Livestock Auction every Wednesday, watching cattle run thru and visiting with friends there. He attended many of his children’s and grandchildren’s basketball and baseball games. He also enjoyed watching polka shows, listening to radio polka music and the old western music from the 40’s and 50’s era. He loved to get Emily to go ride the pastures and check or feed the livestock. The most important thing to him was Family and getting together at his family for a meal at his remodeled homestead farm house as often as possible. He was very proud of his family heritage.

He is survived by his wife Emily, daughter, Bonnie Walker and husband, Randy, sons, Ronnie and wife, Ginger, B.J. and wife, Nichole and Donnie and wife, Bonnie. His grandchildren, Kristen Hejl Rietz and husband Zachary, Nathan Hejl, Justin Hejl, and wife Laine, Jessica Hejl, Jacob Hejl, Jordan Hejl, Sarah Hejl and fiancé Cullen Pickett, Randa Walker Vajdak, and husband Steve Vajdak, Erin Walker, also by six great grandchildren and two step great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Brazos Valley Hospice, Snook Brethren Church or charity of choice.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Strickland Funeral Home of Caldwell. Please visit our website at www.stricklandfuneralhomes.com for additional information and to sign the online register.

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