Funeral services for Bennie L. Polasek, 85, of Caldwell are set for 3:00 pm., Wednesday, March 16 2011, at the Caldwell Brethren Church. A visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, March 15, 2011 from 6 to 8 p.m., at Strickland Funeral Home in Caldwell. Interment will follow at New Tabor Cemetery. Mr. Polasek passed away on March 12, 2011, at Copperas Hollow Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Caldwell. Bennie was born on September 6, 1925 in Burleson County, to John Anton and Carrie J. (Hronek) Polasek. He lived in and around Caldwell, Texas all of his life. Bennie was baptized as Benjamin Lee Polasek on February 28, 1926 in the New Tabor Church by Rev. Antonin Motycka, sponsors were Adolf and Annie Hronek. Bennie was confirmed in August of 1938 at the Cooks Point Brethren Church by Rev. Henry E. Beseda, Sr. That was the last Czech confirmation class. As a small boy, Bennie went to Sunday school in Cooks Point. Later, he was elected Sunday school assistant superintendent. He was a member at Cooks Point Brethren Church until he was married. He then transferred his membership to the Czech-Moravian Brethren Church in Caldwell. He went to Cooks Point School, 1st through 8th grades and then attended Caldwell High School for part of his 9th grade, when he quit school to help his mother farm. He entered the Army at Fort Sam Houston, Texas on December 19, 1945 and spent most of his time at Camp Robinson in Arkansas until he was discharged at Camp Polk, Louisana on November 30, 1946. After leaving the army he married Annie Tracy Lee Faust on December 31, 1946, at the Czech-Moravian Brethren Church in Caldwell, Texas. Rev. Henry E. Beseda, Sr. performed the ceremony. They moved into their own home in Caldwell, Texas. Bennie worked a short time with his father-in-law delivering ice. He bought his own business on October 1, 1947. Bennie was very active in his church and with the community. He loved his family and enjoyed hunting, and listening and dancing to polka and waltz music. He was an avid reader and loved history. He made sure his children got a good education. Bennie is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Annie, his seven children and spouses; Bennie Jr. and Kay, Joseph and Mary, James and Geri, Annie and Roger Runnels, Martha and Guy Huffman, Sam and Frieda, David and Nancy, his sister Lillie Wotipka, as well as 18 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren He was preceded in death by his parents, grandchild, Michael Huffman, and great grandchildren Daphne and Sophia Matcek. Pallbearers will be Seth Mike, Douglas Polasek, Steven Polasek, Joshua Runnels, Matthew Huffman, Bert Polasek, Robert Polasek, and Jeremy Vanderburg. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Caldwell Brethren Church, the Burleson County Czech Heritage Museum, Hospice Brazos Valley, or to the charity of your choice. Please visit our website at www.stricklandfuneralhomes.com