DEATHS

AND OBITUARIES

LaVerne Stika

Mass for LaVerne D. Stika, 84, Herington, who died July 29 in an accident outside his second home in Pilsen, was Monday at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, Pilsen. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Born Sept. 7, 1941, to Mike and Helen (Varva) Stika on their family’s farm near Tampa, he graduated from Tampa High School in 1959, worked on the farm and as a derrick hand for Slusser Drilling, and served in the Army National Guard.

He married Ella Mae Tajchman on June 4, 1966, continued to farm, took a job with K&F Trucking, married Janice (Hudson) Byfield on May 16, 1992, and became an installer for Car Wash Technologies until his retirement.

Daughter Diane Marie Stika; brothers Eugene Stika and Vernon “Vernie” Stika; the mother of his children, Ella Mae Stika, and a grandson preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Janice Stika, of Herington; children Jeri Richards of Solomon; Paula Emerson of Moundridge, Brenda Bernhardt of Tampa; and LaVerne Stika Jr. of Oklahoma, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial has been established for the Hunter D. Emerson Lineman Scholarship in care of Jost Funeral Home, Hillsboro.