Benno Vyvjala

Benno Vyvjala passed into the arms of Lord February 16, 2015 at the age of 90.

He was born September 18, 1924 to Rosalie (Chrastecky) and Ed Vyvjala in Smithville, Texas. He graduated from Smithville High with class of 1942 and worked for the M.K.T. Railroad until 1943. Benno proudly served with the Air Force in World War II as a bombardier-navigator. He married his childhood sweetheart Myrtis Marburger in 1947. His worked with the Southern Pacific Railroad in San Antonio for 33 years until his retirement in 1946. Benno then took up cattle ranching for 25 years on his wife's inherited Anchor Ranch property.

He was preceded in death by his parents Rose and Ed Vyvjala; his wife of 64 years, Myrtis Vyvjala, brother, Felix Vyvjala, sisters, Otilie Coleman, Jo Ann Carter and Della Mae Otahal.

Benno is survived by his daughter, Nancy L. Calvert and her husband Rev. George M. Calvert of San Diego, CA; grandson, Dr. Alexander D. Bray and his wife Dr. Nina L. Bray, great-grandson Kieran Tasman Bray of New Plymouth, New Zealand; and granddaughter, Jill Christina Calvert of Palm Desert, CA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. James Episcopal Church Endowment Fund, 156 N. Monroe St., La Grange, TX 78945

Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 6:00pm on Friday, February 20, 2015 at Marrs-Jones Funeral Home in Smithville, Texas. Funeral services are at 10:00am on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at St. James Episcopal Church in LaGrange, TX. a graveside sercive with interment will follow at 1:00pm at Oak Hill Cemetery in Smithville, TX.