Ernest O. Petrich

ERNEST O. PETRICH Ernest O. Petrich, age 89 of Riesel died Friday, December 26, 2003 at a local hospital. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, December 29 at Friedens United Church of Christ with Rev. Dan Pike officiating. Military graveside service will follow at Riesel Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 4-6 pm Sunday, December 28 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 6101 Bosque Blvd. Mr. Petrich was born May 29, 1914 near St. Paul in Falls County to the late Otto Charles Petrich and Bertha L. Bahr Petrich. He was the last of seven children. He was a graduate of Riesel High School and Baylor University, class of 1952. Mr. Petrich served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II. Pursuing a career in education, he worked over the years as a teacher, coach, principal and had superintendent certification. He worked in several area school districts including Alexander’s Corner, Robinson, Mt. Calm, Axtell and LaVega. A longtime farmer and rancher in the Riesel area, Mr. Petrich was also a pioneer in Greyhound breeding and racing in Texas. He was honored with the Pioneer Award for over 50 years of contributions to the Greyhound industry. Being a good athlete in high school, Mr. Petrich was an avid sports fan. He loved basketball and enjoyed watching any sporting event on television. He was a member of the German Club in Riesel and had served as President of the Riesel Cemetery Association for a number of years. Mr. Petrich was also a lifelong member of the Friedens United Church of Christ. Survivors include nieces, Betty Long, Carol Flores, Susie Kialson, Rachel Fairbanks, all of Houston, and Loma Hartgraves of Fort Worth; nephews, Pat Freeman of Pine Bluff, Arkansas and Michael Petrich of Riesel; great nieces, Susan Hall of Houston and Linda Sartin of Newark, Texas; great nephews, Patrick Robb of La Porte, Texas, Keith Hartgraves of Burleson, Ande Petrich and Jame Petrich, both of Riesel; and longtime friends, John Cobb and John Woodruff. Pallbearers will be Bill Hoeft, Gary Ehlers, Marvin Fedro, Kevin Wunderlich, Bob Blagg and John Evans. Memorials may be made to Friedens Memorial Fund or American Heart Association. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our ''Memorial Guestbook'' at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY