Ivan Otahal
September 8, 1924 — February 23, 2013
North Austin Location
Ivan John Otahal passed away on February 23, 2013. He was born to Joseph John Otahal and Martha Mary Quitta Otahal on September 08, 1924. He was both born and reared on their family farm in Cistern, Texas. Ivan was the fifth of nine children and in Cistern attended both Parochial and Public schools.
In 1942, at the age of 18, he entered the Army Air Corp and took artic training in Colorado. For the duration of the war he served as staff sergeant near Watson Lake in Canada. He worked to send aid and assets to the USSR. He mustered out of the service in 1946 and returned to Smithville, Texas. For a brief period of time he owned and operated a Dry Cleaners. It was at this time that he met his future wife, Dessie Smith. At the time of her death in 2005, Ivan and Dessie had been married for 57 years.
For the majority of his adult life (60 years), Ivan lived and worked in Houston, Texas. He was employed for over 38 years by Stauffer Chemicals, where he retired in 1985 as a Superintendent. He enjoyed a lengthy and active retirement. For the last five years, he had spent a majority of his time in Smithville, Texas.
Ivan is survived by his son, David Edward Otahal. He is also survived by his sister, Bertha Psencik and two sister in-laws, Della Mae Vyvala Otahal and Marjorie Bowling Otahal. He is preceded in death by his three brothers Fred, Louis and Joseph and his sister Susie Novak, Zita Huebel, Martha Otahal and Mary Ball.
Pall Bearers are Taffy Danner, Diane Dolan, Robin Luck, Kaitlyn McGuinn, Karrie McKeown, Renee Ott, Debbie Sims and Judy Smith.
Honorary Pallbearers are Frank Dreef and EC King.
On March 01, 2013 Visitation will be held at all Faiths Funeral Home in Smithville, Texas from 4-7 PM with Rosary recited at 7:00 PM.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Paul Catholic Church in Smithville, Texas at 10:00 AM on March 2, 2013. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Smithville, Texas.
Arrangements by All Faiths of the Pines, 110 American Legion Rd., Smithville, Texas 78957 (512)237-3836