Edwin John Trnka

Edwin John Trnka, 92, of Caldwell went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at the Strickland Funeral Home Chapel in Caldwell, Texas with Matt Maestas, Youth Pastor from Caldwell First Assembly, officiating.  Visitation will be on Monday, February 5, 2024, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, also at Strickland Funeral Home.  Burial will be at the Caldwell Masonic Cemetery. 

Edwin was born in the San Antonio Prairie community of Burleson County, Texas on July 27, 1931, to Bohemio (Bonnie) and Sidonie (Kovar) Trnka. He took great pride in his Czech heritage, even teaching his granddaughters some of the Czech language.  Edwin met the love of his life and future wife, Johnnie Ruth Brymer, at a dance in Caldwell.   They were married on July 1, 1953, and would have celebrated almost 69 years of marriage at the time of her death on June 15, 2022.  They were blessed with one son, Thomas Edwin Trnka. 

Edwin was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Burleson County.  During the cold months, he would go early every Sunday morning before the service to turn on the heater so that the church would be warm for everyone else when they arrived.  

Edwin worked several years for Burleson County Precinct 3 before beginning his long career with the City of Caldwell in 1960, retiring in 1996 after 36 years of service.  While at the City of Caldwell, he served as Shop Foreman and Solid Waste Superintendent, and often assisted in other departments when needed.   Early on in his career, he would complete a day’s work, then load up his horse and cow dogs and head to someone’s pasture in the community to catch a wild cow, deliver a calf, doctor for screw worms, or whatever else was needed.  Edwin and Johnnie Ruth also sold minnows from their home for a number of years.  He enjoyed all of his jobs, but his favorite one was being Paw-Paw to his granddaughters and his great-grandson! 

After retirement, Edwin liked tending to his cattle, visiting with his friends at the weekly auction sale, spending time in his shop and fixing and/or building things. You could give him a welding machine, a torch, and a grinder, and he could fabricate anything!   He adored his two granddaughters and loved to build things for them – a swing set, monkey bars, bicycle rack, basketball goal and a metal rocking horse out of a barrel and coil springs – just to name a few!  He also made paper towel holders, yard décor and other welded things for his family.   He was very creative – he would see something, and then go home and build it!    Edwin also built the two big “red” Christmas trees that are put up on the Burleson County courthouse lawn and at the intersection of Highways 21 & 36 during the holidays.  He always loved working and staying busy, but most of all, he loved spending time with his family. 

Edwin is preceded in death by his parents; his wife – Johnnie Ruth Trnka; one brother – Jodie Trnka, as well as four brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law, and his in-laws – John and Tommie Lee Brymer.  

Edwin is survived by his son, Thomas and wife Bengee (Poehl) Trnka of Caldwell; two granddaughters, Kymberlee Trnka of Katy and Kyndall (Trnka) Tonn and her husband Caleb Tonn of Caldwell; and one great-grandson, Koleson Layne Tonn (his precious little pride and joy), along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. 

Serving as Pallbearers will be:  William Brymer, Nathan Ausley, Johnny L. Price, Kverin  Urbanovsky, Ben Ragnes and John Hoffman. 

Edwin will be remembered for his great sense of humor and his quick wit – he loved making jokes and making people laugh.  Above all, Edwin will be remembered for being a very caring and giving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother and friend.  He will be sorely missed. 

The family would like to thank Remarkable Hospice, especially his nurse (Jason), for their very exceptional and compassionate care in Edwin’s final days.    

Memorial donations may be given in Edwin’s name to Caldwell First Assembly of God church – Heart for the House fund.