John Koemel

Celebration of John Ernest Koemel, Sr. February 28, 1933 John Ernest Koemel, Sr. was born on February 28, 1933 at home to Freda Clara Naumann Koemel and Julius John Koemel in Robstown, Texas. He was given spiritual and physical life that day. His Baptism was performed by the pastor on the same day due to concern that baby John might not live to see the next day. That is how his journey in the walk of life began with God from birth into death. Being a man of God, John was also a farmer, accountant, and musician. John Ernest Koemel, Sr. (John E. Koemel) is survived in death by his wife of fifty-two years, Leanna Sylvia Haverlah Koemel. He is survived by his four children and their spouses as well as twelve grandchildren. They are listed in order of birth. Daughter : Johnna-Lee Julie Koemel Taylor and Aubry Lane (Lane) Taylor (spouse) Grandchildren: Aubry John (AJ) Taylor(grandson) and Lisa Taylor (spouse), Julie Nicole Taylor, (granddaughter) and Rachel Leanna Taylor (granddaughter) Son: John Ernest Koemel, Jr. (Butch) and Tina Mooney Koemel (spouse) Grandchildren: Thomas Michael Koemel, (grandson), Nicholas Andrew Koemel, (grandson), and Grace Ellen Koemel (granddaughter) Daughter: Kristen Kay Koemel Dunn and Kevin Michael Dunn (spouse) Grandchildren: Justin Ryan Dunn (grandson), Koren Marie Dunn (granddaughter), and Alexis Mikaylin Dunn (granddaughter) Son: Timothy Mark Koemel (Tim) and Lorin Cinnamon Koemel (spouse) Grandchildren: Canyon Taylor Koemel (deceased grandson infant 1-10-1997), Ridge Kohl Koemel (grandson), Trinity Robbins Koemel (granddaughter), and Crest Matheaus Koemel (grandson) John Ernest Koemel, Sr. was preceded in death by his sister: Walieta Koemel Anderson (1992) and his brother-in-law: Roy Anderson. He is survived by their six children. The children are listed in order of birth: Marie (niece), Mary (niece), Vivian (niece), Sharon (niece), Roy Jr. (Buddy), (nephew), and Lilly (niece). He is also survived by their spouses and children. John Ernest Koemel, Sr. was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, William Henry Haverlah. He is survived by his nephew, Steve, and sister-in-law, Rose Maria Haverlah. John Ernest Koemel, Sr. is survived by his brother-in-law, Gene Haverlah and Toni (spouse). He is survived by five children of Gene Haverlah and Lucille Novak. They are listed in order of birth: Vernon (nephew), Douglas (nephew), Kathy (niece), David (nephew), and James (nephew) . He is also survived by their spouses and children. John Ernest Koemel, Sr. also was preceded in death by his cousin, Belo Naumann, and survived by his cousin’s wife Jeannie and their son Allan and daughter, Candance. John Ernest Koemel, Sr. started his school years in Robstown, Texas and then moved to Kerrville at the age of eight years. The family’s relocation was made at the recommendation of the doctor that the climate would be better for John’s health condition. John attended Zion Lutheran Church in Kerrville, Texas. He remembered attending church and Vacation Bible School. He enjoyed hearing about Johnna’s children’s involvement in that ministry. After several years in the Kerrville school district, John and his family moved back to Charlotte, Texas to be closer to his father’s farm. There was a restriction on lumber because of World War II and the Charlotte place had an existing house. John began his freshman year at Charlotte. He remembered the “initiation” of the freshman. They had to run through a belt line. However, John did not graduate from Charlotte, but moved his senior year to Robstown, Texas. He graduated from Poteet High School. His family was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Jourdanton, Texas. John had always been interested in the military. Many of his school years had been spent living through World War II. John applied to the military, but he was unable to be admitted due to his lung health condition. After graduation, John attended the Draughon School of Business College in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated with his degree and worked in San Antonio for ____. He lived at the YMCA during his employment. Following his accounting career in San Antonio, John moved to Poteet, Texas to work at his father’s farm. His father wanted John to be involved with the daily concerns and requirements of the farm. Farming was to become his full time career for rest of his life. While farming, John continued to attend St. John’s Lutheran Church in Jourdanton. This was where he met his future wife, Leanna Sylvia Haverlah. Both John and Leanna’s parents, Lee Henry Haverlah and Alma Anna Haverlah knew each other from church. Leanna was working as a nurse at Dow Chemical in Lake Jackson, Texas. Her mother, Anna Alma Haverlah, invited the Koemel’s over for dinner. However, only John was able to attend the dinner and he met Leanna who was visiting her parents. They chatted over dinner, and John asked her out for the next weekend. John proposed at Leanna’s house on a Saturday night and they didn’t tell anyone until Leanna put her hand out on Sunday morning at church. They were married six months later on April 8, 1961. John and Leanna both said they had great conversations, enjoyed listing to music and going to the movies. John always gave Leanna a corsage on their dates. He said Leanna was a woman of God and honest. John and Leanna Koemel moved to George West, Texas to begin their new life together. John farmed and Leanna worked as a nurse at the Beeville hospital. They attended the St. Paul Lutheran Church in George West, Texas. When their children were young, John and Leanna started to attend Peace Lutheran Church in Beeville, Texas. The church moved after several years and was renamed Faith Lutheran Church in 1977. John and Leanna attended Faith until 2008 when they returned to St. Paul Lutheran Church in George West, Texas. Their children, Johnna, John (Butch), Kristen, and Tim graduated from the George West Independent School District schools. John and Leanna were active in the George West community. John served as an officer in several organizations such as Kiawanis Club and Live Oak County Farm Bureau. John was a participant and host for many crop tours and seed demonstrations for the Live Oak County Extension Agency. He supported the 4-H club and FFA organization. John was a volunteer at the Live Oak Nursing Center and played piano music for the residents. He played piano music for many social events, church activities, and family gatherings. John had one of his greatest joy come when he wrote and copyrighted two religious themed songs. He also thoroughly enjoyed bookkeeping and accounting. John and Leanna Koemel continued to live in George West until John recently moved to Woodridge Nursing Home in April, 2012 and Leanna moved to Woodridge Nursing Home in 2011. John E. Koemel, Sr. loved farming. He wanted a beautiful field in corn, cotton, and sorghum. It was either a curse or a blessing when it rained. Rain or lack of rain was always a problem that John dealt with in farming. However, he always continued to plant the seed and pray to God. He wanted the poem I’m Just a Farmer, Plain and Simple by Bobby Collier to be read at his funeral. That was the way he would describe his life. His family would describe his life as one that was lived by faith in God. His words that are remembered the most “God will take care of it” or “God will provided”. John was concerned about his legacy to the family. He was a man that had acquired land and other investments. John wanted his children to have a legacy that he left behind. His children already had the legacy of a lifetime with them at all times. John’s faith in God and the eternal life that living and learning God’s word brings to all people. His children remember their parents as people who raised them to know and love God. That knowledge is the legacy that was passed to them, and God’s salvation will never have to bother about too much or lack of rain, weeds, and bad seed. God’s grace is eternal and everlasting. What a legacy to have forever. John Ernest Koemel, Sr. was born a child of God and died a child of God. May his faith be a witness to all people. Visitation will begin on Friday, Aug. 16, 2013 from 10AM until 8PM with the Family present from 6-8PM. Funeral Services are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013 at 10AM at the Faith Lutheran Church 1500 E. FM 351 Beeville, Tx. Graveside funeral services are scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 2PM at the St. Johns Lutheran Cemetery in Jourdanton, Tx. In lieu of Floral Remembrances the family request that donations be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church 711 Houston St. Box 536 George West, Tx. 78022 (361) 449-1360.

John Koemel

February 28, 1933 - August 14, 2013