Daniel Vanek

Daniel Edward Vanek, of Dallas, formerly of West, passed peacefully on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. A Visitation will be held Thursday, August 26, 2021 from 5pm - 8pm at Anderson- Clayton-Gonzalez Funeral Home, 1111 Military Parkway, Mesquite. Visitation with Rosary at 10am and Funeral Services at 11am will be held Friday, August 27, 2021 at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church, 1404 Old Gate Lane, Dallas. Graveside Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 27, 2021 at St. Mary’s Cemetery in West. Daniel was born November 21, 1936 in West, Texas and was the eldest of three children of Louis and Regina (Cernosek) Vanek. Daniel grew up in Hill County, Texas and attended Penelope Elementary and High School and was a graduate of North Texas State University, Denton, Texas. Following college graduation he served in the Texas National Guard. Daniel met Catherine Kolar at a Czech dance and were married on October 7, 1961 and then settled in Dallas. He began his career with IBM and then started his family with Mary Kay and Michael. Daniel grew up on a farm. His love for sports and fishing started at a very young age. Daniel played basketball and baseball in school, he was a farmer that attended to the animals and fields, later he enjoyed doing yardwork and watching sports. He played for many years on a volleyball league and then after retirement he played and traveled with senior softball for many years. He loved fishing, going to dances, coaching, socializing with friends, attending church activities and enjoying his Czech heritage. Daniel was a wonderful dancer loved to polka, waltz and schottische. Daniel never met a stranger, always had a smile and cared for everyone especially his grandchildren. He was loving to all and had a positive influence on the younger generation. Daniel is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Catherine and children Mary Kay Lavy and Michael Vanek; two grandchildren Michaela Ann Lavy and Geoffre Michael Lavy; his sister Diane Hejl and her husband Eugene and one sister-in-law, Mary Ann Cocek and numerous nieces and nephews. Daniel is preceded in death by his parents Louis and Regina (Cernosek) Vanek, his sister Dolores Divin and her husband Joe Frank.