LaVern M. Chvatal

LaVern M. Chvatal

Dec. 12, 1926 - Nov. 9, 2015

ATWOOD, Kan. -- LaVern M. Chvatal, 89, of Atwood passed away Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, at Rawlins County Hospital. He was born Dec. 12, 1926, in Atwood, to Frank J. and Matilda Chvatal, the third of ten children.

LaVern wore many hats during his working life, most at the same time. He was engaged in farming and also operated Chvatal's Texaco, on Highway 36 in Atwood, for over 26 years. In the summers, he was a professional crop duster for Guth Aviation, flying in over 15 states throughout his career. Later in life, LaVern took on a full time rural mail route out of the Atwood Post Office.

LaVern was called and proudly served in the United States Navy during WWII. After his discharge, he returned to the Atwood area. He was an active member and past commander of American Legion Sam Hubbard Post during his lifetime.

LaVern married Virginia Schandler on May 18, 1949. To this union three sons were born, John (1950), Larry (1953) and Greg (1958). All three actively participated in the family enterprises throughout their younger years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; eldest son, John; sister, Erma Beims; and brothers, Glenard, Bernard and Eugene Chvatal.

He is survived by his sons, Larry and wife, Carla, San Diego, California, and Greg and wife Cheryl, Fort Collins, Colorado; daughter-in-law, Mary Cartafalsa, Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren, Caitlin and Corina Chvatal, Fort Collins, Mike Wieczorek, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Steve Wieczorek, Hutchinson, and Kristin Butler, Minneapolis, Kansas; two brothers, Frank A. and wife, Theresa, Atwood and Gary and wife, Carol, Littleton, Colorado; sisters, Mary Ann Brown, Kingwood, Texas, Wauneta Halsey and husband, Bob, McCook, Nebraska, and Ilene Haller and husband, Sam, Culbertson, Nebraska, and many loving and wonderful nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood, with a vigil at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Atwood, with burial following in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Mount Calvary Cemetery Fund or the Rawlins County Health Center, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com