Charles Tlapek

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- Charles J. "Bud" Tlapek, 90, of Ste. Genevieve died Friday, Sept. 6, 2002, at St. Mary's Health Center in St. Louis.

He was born Dec. 23, 1911, in St. Marys, Mo., son of John J. and Annie Jokerst Tlapek. He and Elois M. Armbruster were married Nov. 28, 1935, in St. Mary.

He was founder of Lawrence and Tlapek Motor Company and was CEO from 1936 to 1978. He was president and CEO of Rozier Bank, later to become Rozier Mercantile Bank and now US Bank. He also was a farmer.

He was one of the community leaders who organized the Ste. Genevieve Golf Course. He served on the Ste. Genevieve school board and on the finance board of Ste. Genevieve parish.

He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 1037 Ste. Genevieve and a member of the Ste. Genevieve Lions Club.

Survivors include his wife; a son, William J. "Bill" Tlapek of Ste. Genevieve; two daughters, Mary Louise Hannegan of St. Charles, Mo., and Zane J. "Suzanne" Tlapek of St. Louis; two brothers, Francis "Jim" Tlapek and Patrick Tlapek, both of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Josephine Warrington of Kansas City, Mo., and Rose Perkinson of St. Louis; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son and two brothers.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Basler Funeral Home in Ste. Genevieve. A Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Church of Ste. Genevieve, with the Rev. John Deken officiating. Burial will be in Valle Spring Cemetery in Ste. Genevieve.