Erwin John Smolik Sr., age 83, of Kenedy, passed away on May 21, 2011. “Big John”, as he was affectionately known by family, was born on Jan. 11, 1928 in Karnes City to the late William H. and Lucy Mikulenka Smolik. He married Joyce Thigpen on Sept. 30, 1948 in Karnes City. He owned and operated Smolik’s meat market in Kenedy and was a member of St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Karnes City.
He is survived by his lovely wife of 62 ½ years, Joyce Thigpen Smolik of Kenedy; daughters, Jan and husband Nicholas Millington of Karnes City, and Jamie and husband Jory McPhail of Dallas; sons, Dr. John Smolik Jr. of Austin, Jerry and wife Pat Smolik of Rockport, Jim and wife Debbie Smolik of Austin, and Jeff Smolik of Kenedy; sister; Agatha Winters of Boerne; brother, George Smolik of Karnes City; grandchildren: John Ross Smolik, Dr. Kristen Smolik, Kara Smolik, Dr. Jeremy and wife Annalese Smolik, Jake Smolik, Chelsea and husband Mitch Herr, Kelly and husband Mark Contreras, Erica and husband Andrew Wilson, Brittany Smolik, Tiffany Smolik, Dr. Ryan and wife Riana Millington, Patrick Millington, Caitlyn Millington, Taylor Millington, Josh Smolik, Lindsey Smolik, Corey Smolik, Lauren McPhail, and Alyssa McPhail; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by both parents and one brother, Bill Smolik.
A rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, with funeral Mass following at 11 a.m., at St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Karnes City. Interment will follow at the Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy.
Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons: John Ross Smolik, Dr. Jeremy Smolik, Jake Smolik, Dr. Ryan Millington, Patrick Millington, Taylor Millington, Josh Smolik and Corey Smolik.
Memorial contributions may be made at the donor’s discretion to the charity of choice.