Victor R. Kneifel

Victor Robert Kneifel, 89, of Shiner, answered the call from his Lord and Savior to “Come Home” on Thursday, February 20, 2025. 
Victor was born on January 5, 1936, in Shiner, to Joe Kneifel, Sr. and Mary Brunkenhoefer Kneifel. He married the love of his life, Marionette Cook on February 2, 1963, in Shiner, blessed with 62 years as husband and wife. 
Victor was a member of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, had served honorably in the U.S. Army and he was always a dedicated Dallas Cowboys fan.
Victor was a dedicated and hard-working man. He never shied away from hard work and certainly never cut corners in getting a job done right the first time and every time. He raised many a head of cattle in his day and though it surely required hard work, in Victor’s eyes it was never work at all, it was a pleasure. 
He found great delight in the simple things like seeing new calves on the ground, or a weanling eating grass and putting a little more weight on each day. He loved working beside his wife, cutting, raking and baling hay with the hope of dancing with her at the club dance later in the evening. 
Lord they could dance, together they would float across the dance floor with dance steps uniquely their own. But it was work that drove him, caring for his family’s needs. 
Teaching them how to pull a calf when needed and since he was popularly known as the local county vet, before there was a veterinarian in area, he would often take one or more of his children to help him doctor an animal and teach them along the way. 
He instilled a tremendous work ethic into his children, along with his love of country, family, and especially his God.  
Victor was not much of a traveler, but when he did, he said he could breathe better once he got back to Lavaca County. He treasured being surrounded by his wife, children, granddaughters and great-grandson. 
His face would light up with a perpetual smile in times like this and soon the jokester, silliness and wisecracks would follow. 
Certainly, Victor Kneifel was firm and rough around the edges at times, his hands likened to hard steel from the years weathered by hard work, but he was ever so gentle with his family with a comforting hug, a pat on the back for encouragement, or a feathery hand on a cheek to wipe away a tear . . . for they were Daddy’s Hands.   
Victor Kneifel is survived by his loving family: wife, Marionette Kneifel; daughters, Karen Marie Ashley and husband John, Laura Lynn Urbanovsky and husband Buddy, and Kelly Rene Neubauer and husband Chris; son, Bobby Kneifel; granddaughters, Savannah Lynn Urbanovsky, Delanie Ross Urbanovsky and Rylie Elizabeth Urbanovsky; great-grandson, Lennox Lawson; sisters, Lorene Kneifel, Mary Hilda Erdelt, Estella McAda and husband Jim, and Mildred Schoenfeld. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Florene Hybner; and brother, Joe Kneifel, Jr. 
Prayers of the Holy Rosary were held at 5 p.m. Sunday,February 23 at Shiner Funeral Home chapel. 
A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, February 24 at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, with the Rev. Bryan Heyer serving as celebrant. 

Interment followed at Shiner Catholic Cemetery.
Pallbearers were John Ashley, Buddy Urbanovsky, Chris Neubauer, Michael Kneifel, Byron Kneifel, Gary Kurtz and Greg Hybner. 
Honorary pallbearer was G.W. Hamman. 
Memorials may be made to Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church Repair Fund.
Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.shinerfuneralhome.com. 
Services are under the care and direction of Shiner Funeral Home.