Joseph Calvin Schwartz, 89, of Garden City passed away January 8, 2015 in Stanton. Rosary will be held Sunday, January 11, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. The funeral Mass celebrating Joe’s life will be Monday, January 12, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Interment will follow at St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery.Joe was born June 20, 1925 in Miles, Texas to Ida (Klein) and Ernest Schwartz. He attended school at Fairview and later served 2 years in the Merchant Marines. On September 18, 1950, he married the love of his life, Rose Marie Kadlacek, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Wall. They began their family while living in the Paint Rock and Fairview areas before moving west to Garden City in 1967. Joe served on the school board at Fairview, was on the board of the Glasscock County ASCS office as well as the FHA board, St. Lawrence Men’s Society and the Church Committee. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and Gun Club. In 1988 he was named as Glasscock County’s Outstanding Conservation Farmer of the year. He was very proud to be a farmer and rancher. He leaves quite a legacy for his children and grandchildren.Dad loved hunting deer and dove and especially spending time with his hunting friends from Midland. Fishing was also a passion of his. As a young man he enjoyed fishing at Garner Dam in San Angelo and later at his own stock tank not far from his house. Every year he had the biggest garden in St. Lawrence and delighted in sharing it with his family and friends. He and Rose especially enjoyed day trips to the casino in Hobbs. Another favorite past time was playing dominoes. It was not unusual for them to host a spur of the moment domino party with whoever was around. Their home was always open to guests for lunch or for a glass of tea while Joe told his many stories of interest. Married for 64 ½ years, Joe and Rose were constant companions. He will be missed by many.Joe was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Mary Kay Halfmann; his brother, Walter Schwartz; his sister, Beatrice Socha and husband, Laddie; a sister-in-law, Ruby Schwartz; and a brother-in-law, Victor Matthiesen.Joseph is survived by his wife, Rose Marie of Garden City; sons, Ernie Schwartz and wife, Debra, Floyd Schwartz and wife, Martha and Jody Schwartz and wife, Gail all of St. Lawrence; daughters, Brenda Holik and husband, Eddie, Jr. of Veribest and Lynette Jansa and husband, Mitchell of St. Lawrence; a son-in-law, Lynn Halfmann of San Angelo; 15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren with one little blessing on the way. Additional survivors include his brothers, George Schwartz and wife, Doris and Alfred Schwartz and wife, Ann all of St. Lawrence, Alfonse Schwartz and wife, Betty, John Schwartz and wife, Genieve and Erwin Schwartz and wife, Gloria all of San Angelo; a sister Bernice Matthiesen of Miles; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Schwartz of San Angelo; and numerous nieces and nephews.Pallbearers will be grandchildren Galen Schwartz, Nicole Tan, Cole Schwartz, Trey Holik, Marcus Halfmann and Leslie Robbins.In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to “St. Lawrence Orphanage” in India in care of: Father Raj, 2400 FM 2401, Garden City, Texas 79739.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory in Big Spring, Texas. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com,
