Donate in Memory of….

Virginia (Ginny) C. Stoner, age 77 of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on December 5, 2024 after her on and off long battle of forty-one years, with cancer. 

Ginny was born on December 31, 1946 in Mexico City, Mexico to Lillian and Fredrick Crawford. Ginny’s passions (aside from her beloved family) began at an early age centered in the medical field, the arts and traveling the world. She always had a suitcase at the ready as the world was to be enjoyed and explored. Her love of learning knew no bounds. She was immensely proud of her British heritage and having been raised in Mexico.

In 1963, Ginny met the love of her life Douglas (Doug) M. Stoner in Mexico City, Mexico. They were married on October 28, 1967 and celebrated 57 loving years together. Ginny retired from working in 2005 to enjoy dedicating life to her family, her countless friendships. and her passion for the arts as a docent for both the Czech Center Museum and MFAH Rienzi Museum in Houston, Texas. Ginny’s joy for life was shared with everyone with whom she came in contact leaving an indelible impact. Her strength, positiveness, and determination to beat cancer for a 4th time knew no bounds. 

Ginny was predeceased by her parents Lillian and Fredrick Crawford, her beloved godmother, Adeline (Parrina) Leggewie, her second daughter Caroline Ruth Stoner, her brother Walter Crawford, her grandparents Cecil and Ada Crawford, Florence and Frank (Pancho) Jenkin and her in-laws Ruth and Donald Stoner. She is survived by her loving husband Doug Stoner, daughter Michèle Tidwell along with her Son-In-law Mike Tidwell, two grandchildren Ryan Michele and Matthew Tidwell, her sister Francis Ochoa, nephew Gregory Ochoa, and nieces Barbara McCoy, Maureen, Sharmaine and Leslie Crawford. 

Rudolf Raymond Kovar, age 93, of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2024.

He was born on October 13, 1930 in Fayetteville, Texas to John and Mathilda Kovar, one of six children. After graduating Fayetteville High School, Rudolf joined the Air Force where he served for four years including overseas in Germany. He married Jerrydene (Pavlik) Kovar on October 22, 1960. Together they had three children; Kenneth, Charlotte, and Denise. They built a wonderful life in Houston, Texas. Rudolf worked for over thirty years at Offenhauser Company. They were founding members of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, with Rudolf a long time member of the Knights of Columbus.

Rudy was an avid Astros fan, a green-thumb in the garden, and enjoyed vacationing on numerous cruises with Jerrydene, and his whole family each summer in New Braunfels, Texas.

After retirement Rudy was a dedicated volunteer with the Czech Culture Center; he greatly enjoyed the opportunity to speak his native Czech language at any opportunity.

Please visit Rudolf’s online memorial tribute at Pat H. Foley & Company, where memories and words of comfort may be shared.

James was born September 26, 1935 in Beaumont, Texas and passed away peacefully at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston on November 10, 2023 after a lengthy illness. James was preceded in death by his wife of almost 60 years Danna Hopson Ermis, his mother Agnes Miculka Ermis, father Ladimer Edward Ermis and sister Virginia Ermis Harper. James is survived by his niece Linda Ellis, nephew Purvis Harper (Lynn Harper), great nieces Petria Christine Ellis, Shannon Harper Boyer (Danny Boyer), Lauren Harper Lorensen (Adam Lorensen), and great nephews Eric Wayne Ellis and Blake Allen Harper (Ashley Harper), brother-in-law Clyde Hopson, god-daughter Erin Swearingen and many additional family and friends.

James graduated from South Park High School in Beaumont, attended Texas A&M University, and graduated from Lamar University in 1959.  After graduation, James worked for Tenneco Oil and then Wing Oil Corporation as its treasurer from 1968-1998.  James loved bowling, worked part time at a bowling alley and even considered becoming a professional bowler at one time.

James and Danna lived in Houston in the early years of their marriage and then relocated to Spring, Texas where he remained until the death of his beloved wife Danna. At that time James moved to Kingwood to be close to his sister Virgie Harper, her children, and grandchildren. James was a faithful member of Kingwood Methodist Church and the Apostles Sunday School class.

James and Danna enjoyed many hobbies including jewelry making and ceramics of which family and friends were often the grateful recipients of their creativity.  James and Danna also loved traveling and often visited the Texas Hill Country, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma to visit Danna’s family homestead and to Czechoslovakia, James’ family homeland.

James was a founding board member, former treasurer, dedicated volunteer, and enthusiastic advocate for the Czech Center Museum in Houston. James and Danna’s personal collection of Czech porcelain and crystal is on display at the museum. James was extremely proud of his Czech heritage and worked tirelessly to promote the interests and reputation of the Czech Center Museum in the vibrant Houston Museum District.

Charlotte Rosalie Matula, 88, passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. She was born on June 17, 1934, in Shreveport, Louisiana, the daughter of Charlotte Welch and Arthur Matula, Sr. Charlotte attended Catholic schools in Shreveport and Houston and finished at San Jacinto High School in 1952. She graduated from Louisiana State University, where she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. She was an elementary school teacher for thirty-six years, having taught in Louisiana, New Jersey, and Texas.

Charlotte loved to travel, especially to Europe and particularly to Prague and Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic where one grandmother was born. Another favorite destination was Ireland which was the birthplace of her other grandmother. When her sister Maryanne and brother-in-law Earl Evans lived in London, she was often there to visit and tour with them, once taking her 89-year-old father with her. She had many happy memories of trips both foreign and domestic with friends and family.

Charlotte was an active member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, the Charity Guild of Catholic Women, and the Czech Cultural Center of Houston. Her favorite subject to teach in elementary school was language arts. She loved meeting her former students later in life and hearing about their families and successes.

Please visit Charlotte Matula’s online memorial tribute at DettlingFuneral.com, where memories and words of comfort may be shared.

Leatrice Joy Koym Balderach was born on January 22, 1932, in Wallis, Texas to Lena and Henry Koym. She passed away peacefully on April 13, 2023, at the age of 91.

Joy was predeceased by her husband, David L. Balderach, Jr, and her daughter, Jana Lynn Balderach. She is survived by her son, David L Balderach, III, and his wife, Cindy, her four grandchildren, and her two great-granddaughters.

Joy lived her early life in East Bernard, Texas. She graduated from East Bernard High School, Class of 1949. She would frequently travel to East Bernard to visit with friends and family, she especially loved the Koym and Sabrsula family reunions!

Joy attended Wharton County Jr. College and graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in Elementary Education. Joy taught in Galveston, Texas City, LaMarque, and Missouri City, Texas. Her last teaching assignment was at Hunter’s Creek Elementary in Spring Branch ISD in Houston, Texas. Many of her colleagues became her lifelong best friends and she also kept up with former students and their families. After retiring from Spring Branch ISD, Joy worked for several years at Neiman Marcus.

Learning about her Czech heritage became a passion for Joy. She became involved with the Czech Cultural Center/Museum in Houston and loved learning from her relatives about their shared ancestry. She was a member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church and the Genesis Sunday School class. In the Houston community, she volunteered with the Assistance League.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home for the Balderach family.

Rose Marie Hrncir Deathe was born in Hallettsville, Texas on September 5, 1929 to Louis and Marie Hrncir. She spent her early childhood in Nada, Texas, then her adolescent years and early adulthood in San Antonio, Texas. She was active within her community, serving as a dedicated member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, Czech Center Museum Houston, Woman’s Club of Missouri City, and KJZT, which stands for "Katolicka Jednota Zen Texaskych” and means Catholic Women’s Union of Texas in the Czech language; her joy and caring spirit touched the hearts of many. Rose built a wonderful life as a homemaker and had a passion for sewing and quilting by machine. She passed away on March 28, 2023, at the age of 93.

Rose was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, John Russell Deathe. Rose is survived by her five daughters, Rosalyn Leger, Mary Hebert, Andrea Fuqua and husband Myles, Sharon Kiel and husband Jeff, and Kathy Hauser and husband Jim; fourteen grandchildren, Rod and Margaret Leger, Michael and Silvia Leger, Tony Wayne and Sarah Leger, David Leger, Jake and Meghann Slagle, Lexie Fuqua, Austin Kiel, Savannah Kiel, Trinity Kiel, Riley Kiel, Sawyer Kiel, Katie Hauser, Kristyn Hauser, and Joseph Hauser; and seven great-grandchildren, Estrella, Luna, Raven, Murphy, Levi, Harley, and Kadence.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AmericanHeritageFuneralHome.com for the Deathe family.

Marion Freeman was born on December 28, 1927 in Shiner, Texas, to Alfred and Caroline Merseburger, and passed away on December 29, 2022. She was 95 years of age.

Marion was proud of her German and Czech heritage dating from the Republic of Texas and pursued genealogy enthusiastically; she was a member of the Czech Center Museum Houston. Marion was active for many years at CCMH, and could be frequently found volunteering. She was a truly kind, gentle, and generous lady, loved and respected by those who were privileged to know and love her. She shared her spirit of generosity and caring with her needlepoint refrigerator magnet projects – including making Czech and Texas flags to be sold in the CCMH gift shop. Marion was also passionately interested in the arts – particularly classical music – and was a supporter of Houston Grand Opera, Music in Context, and Houston Ballet.

Marion was preceded in death in 2004 by her beloved husband of 49 years, J. H. Freeman. She is survived by her three children, Caroline Ann Freeman, Marion Lucinda (Cindy) Freeman, and Robert Jay Freeman and his wife Henrietta, and granddaughters Miranda and Nina; and nieces and nephews.

Please visit Mrs. Freeman’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com, where memories and words of comfort may be shared.

Victoria L. Castleberry was born on the 23rd of December 1937 in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, to Joseph and Mary Lysek, and passed away on Tuesday, the 15th of February 2022. She was 84 years of age. 

Victoria was one of the original founders of the Czech Center, in Houston.
She was a dynamo of energy and activity and she nourished a wide range of close friends. She was known for her beauty, elegance, outgoing personality, and very strong faith. She loved duplicate bridges and was a silver life master heading towards gold.

Victoria is survived by her daughter, Therese Lewis of Pittsburgh; and her beloved companion, Francis Smith of Houston.

Please visit Ms. Castleberry’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com, where memories and words of comfort may be shared.

It is with great fondness that today we honor and remember Harry E. Mach of Houston, Texas, who passed away on Sunday, the 20th of November 2022, at the age of 82. Harry was a longtime board member of the Czech Center Museum Houston, a trusted leader, and a valued supporter of Czech culture in the Houston community.

Born on the 17th of May 1940, in Houston, Harry grew up and lived his entire life in the city he loved. He attended Queen of Peace Catholic School, St. Thomas High School, and the University of Houston.

In May of 1962, Harry met Cora Sue Dominy, the love of his life, and in February of 1964 they were married at The Church of the Annunciation. Their union produced two sons, Harry III (Butch) and Steve.

In 1974, Harry took on the leadership of the family business, the Mach Corporation, after his father passed away suddenly from a heart attack. In the years that followed, Harry proved to be a born leader. As busy as he was, he took the time to coach little league and served as an Assistant Scoutmaster. Both his sons became Eagle Scouts, an accomplishment for which he was very proud.

By 1992, the company had tripled in size, thus outgrowing the original plant on the south loop in Houston. The decision was made to move to the current location on the north loop, and to change the name to Mach Industrial Group. The third-generation business has grown under the leadership of Harry, his brother, Tom, and Harry’s sons. In 1999 the Houston Business Journal named the company as one of the "Top 25 Family-Owned Businesses”. The company will be celebrating its 70th Anniversary in 2023, and once again moving to a much larger facility on the northwest side of Harris County. Harry retired from the company earlier this year.

Once their sons were in college, Harry and Cora Sue shifted their focus to become more involved in their beloved community. In the years that followed, in addition to serving on the Czech Center Museum Houston board, Harry served on the boards of Houston Grand Opera, Baylor Research Advocates for Student Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine (BRASS), the St. Thomas High School Foundation, the University of St. Thomas, and Steering Committee for Men of Distinction of Greater Houston. He was a member of Greater Houston Sports Club and River Oaks Country Club.

Butch and Steve married two wonderful women, Carmen and Joella. Harry has been heard many times over the years referring to them as “the daughters we never had.” Thanks to them, Harry had the most cherished title in his history, that of “Poppy” to his grandchildren who he lovingly referred to as “the Mach 5”.

Tomas Klima, M.D., peacefully passed away on July 7, 2022. Tomas was born September 10, 1931, in Baltimore, Maryland to Jaroslav and Eliza. The family returned to Czechoslovakia following Jaroslav’s completion of postdoctoral studies at Johns Hopkins University. In the ensuing years, Tomas entered the Charles University Medical School and subsequently joined the Department of Pathology. In 1959, he married Marcela Pikalkova, a fellow physician. They welcomed their daughter, Eva, in 1963. He dedicated his professional career to the field of pathology. Following the 1968 occupation of Czechoslovakia, Tomas and his family relocated to Houston, and he continued his medical career in the Texas Medical Center. Tomas was a serious classical music and opera aficionado and an ardent supporter of the Czech Center Museum Houston.

Tomas was predeceased by his parents, his wife Marcela Klima, M.D., and daughter Eva Klima, M.D. He is survived by his son-in-law, Anthony, his sister-in-law, and numerous cousins and dear friends. A memorial celebration will be held at the Czech Center Museum Houston on Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 1 to 4 p.m.

William “Bill” E. Vavrik, 91, of Charlottesville, Virginia, died peacefully on June 12, 2022, at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville.

Born on February 20, 1931, in Berwyn, Illinois, he was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Julia (Matousek) Vavrik; his brother, Joseph "Jr."; his dear wife, Marie “Marian” Vavrik; and granddaughter, Robin Crater.

From humble beginnings in Cicero, Illinois, Bill lived a full life centered on his family. He graduated from Morton High School, attended Morton Junior College, and earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1957. After graduation, he and Marian started their family in the Chicago suburbs where he was a design engineer for Northern Illinois Gas Company and she an elementary teacher. They later moved to Naperville, Illinois, and Bill became an instructor at the Institute of Gas Technology (now GTI Energy), a division of the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. He founded the Chartered Industrial Gas Consultant course, which continues to be a respected professional program today.

Bill is survived by his three children, Diane Crater (Jim Baum) of St. Charles, Illinois, Carole Lopez (Robert) of Houston, Texas, and Steven Vavrik (Ellen Hayes) of Charlottesville; six grandchildren, Teresa and Cassandra Lopez (Nick Carreon) of Houston, Madison Crater of Chicago, and William, Charles, and George Vavrik of Charlottesville; and two great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Alicia Carreon of Houston.

It is with great fondness and deep gratitude that today we honor and remember Wesley Pustejovsky of Abbott, Texas, who passed away on 14 February 2022, at the age of 95. He was a paratrooper in the United States Army and served during the Second World War. Upon his return home, he graduated from the University of Texas and joined the energy sector. Wesley was excellent at being Czech American: unapologetically Texan and fiercely proud of his Czech heritage. He insisted on his surname being pronounced correctly by all. A member of our Board of Directors for over a decade, Wesley has been described as a pragmatic man with a generous spirit who excelled at identifying solutions. His love for and promotion of the Czech community will be remembered for years to come. Wesley and his wife Janelle were responsible for our beautiful blue stained-glass windows in both the Wenceslas Chapel and the Presidents Room, amongst their numerous contributions to the Museum. His friends knew him to be true to his beliefs and dedicated to his faith.

For more from Wesley himself, we direct you to an interview conducted on 21 October 2019 found here, the Oral History Project.

Each tile is permanently inscribed with a name of your choosing, becoming a cherished part of our Museum’s legacy. Whether for a family member, friend, or personal hero, your dedication will remain on display as a symbol of thoughtfulness and remembrance. This is a unique opportunity to honor important individuals while helping preserve the rich cultural history of the Czech and Slovak communities for future generations.

Planned Giving, Special Gifts, and Legacy Circle

Since the CCMH’s founding, bequests and other types of planned gifts have strengthened the Center’s financial sustainability, providing vital support for world-class exhibitions, educational programs for all ages, and the care of our eclectic collection. There are many ways to include the CCMH in your long-term plans that can benefit you and your loved ones and reduce taxes, while fulfilling your charitable goals.

Inspire the Next Generation

Including the CCMH in your legacy plan will ensure that the Center can continue its mission of excellence in collecting, exhibiting, preserving, conserving, and interpreting art for all people. Your future gift may provide unrestricted financial support or strengthen a specific area of interest such as conservation, education, outreach, or one of the Center’s cultural programs. These gifts have a lasting impact and inspire future generations.

There are many ways to make a planned gift to the CCMH that may provide benefits to you and the Center, including:

• Naming the CCMH in a will, estate plan, or trust

• Designating life insurance proceeds or donating an insurance policy

• Making the CCMH a beneficiary of your retirement plan, IRA, or 401(k)

• Transferring real estate to the CCMH through a life estate

• Establishing a charitable trust with the CCMH

• Promising a gift of a work (or works) of art that the Center has agreed to accept

Designating any type of planned gift to the Czech Center Museum Houston qualifies you as a member of the Cultural Circle.

Legacy Circle

The Czech Center Museum Houston honors those who make an intention to remember the Center in their estate plans through our planned giving circle: The Cultural Circle. The Cultural Circle honors the generosity and foresight of those who have left a legacy to support the future of the CCMH. Their thoughtful dedication provides a dependable foundation of funding to welcome and engage future generations of visitors and to care for the CCMH’s collection.

Donors who have provided for the CCMH through their wills or trusts, retirement accounts, life income gift arrangements, and other long-term gifts are welcomed into the Cultural Circle. Members are recognized in print materials such as the Annual Report and enjoy a variety of benefits including invitations to an annual brunch, updates on upcoming exhibitions and new CCMH initiatives, and opportunities to meet CCMH leadership. No fees or dues are associated with membership in this planned giving group, but there is an enrollment process. Details regarding your future gift are not required.

To join the Cultural Circle, contact Planned Giving at development[at]czechcenter.org or 713-528-2060—there is no minimum gift or paperwork required. We look forward to welcoming you!

Special Gifts

Please know that we treat every gift and donor individually. To learn more about CCMH policies and procedures surrounding all gifts, please refer to the Gift Acceptance Policy. Should you have a specific question or wish to make a unique gift, we would be delighted to speak with you.

Named Endowments

An endowment fund is a protected investment principal in which withdrawals from the invested capital are used to support general or a specific purpose. Gifts of $100,000 or more allow you to establish a permanent endowment fund to support a specific area of interest in perpetuity. Endowment funds may be named for the donor, or for someone the donor wishes to honor or memorialize, creating lasting and meaningful tributes.

Outright Gifts of Art

Soon after the CCMH opened in 2004, Texans donated art to build the foundation of the Center’s collection. These donors were visionaries who wished to share art with the public by placing their treasured collections in the care of the CCMH. Since then, generous donors have contributed to the Center’s growing collection.

This tradition of generosity continues with you. The CCMH’s collection continues to grow, in part, because of the bequests of generous collectors. Gifts of art and funds for the purchase of art allow the Center to continue to build and enhance our collection. The Center welcomes outright and future gifts of art that fit within the institution’s collecting priority. All proposed gifts of art to the Center’s collections must be recommended by the curatorial staff and approved by the director in accordance with the provisions of, and procedures set forth in, the CCMH’s Collections Management Policy and By-Laws.

Inquiries

To learn more about making a planned or special gift to the CCMH, please contact:

John Dickerson
Finance Chair

Email: treasurer[at]czechcenter.org
Phone: 713-528-2060  
Mailing address: CCMH, 4920 San Jacinto Street, Houston, Texas, 77004

All inquiries are confidential and will not obligate you to complete a gift. Please consult your adviser(s) when considering your philanthropic objectives.

Legal Name and Address
Czech Cultural & Community Center
4920 San Jacinto St.
Houston, TX 77004
Tax ID #76-0496649

The official bequest language for the Czech Cultural & Community Center:
“I, [name] of [city, state, zip], give, devise, and bequeath to the Czech Cultural & Community Center, 4920 San Jacinto St., Houston, Texas 77004 [written amount or percentage of estate] for its unrestricted use and purpose.”