Fort Worth Star-Telegram from Fort Worth, Texas • B11

FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2023 PAGE 11B Obituaries Fort Worth, Texas Jerrell Wayne Miller, 75, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at home surround- ed by family after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. Jerry was born in Fort Worth, Texas to Mildred and Gene Miller on May 8, 1948. He graduated from Fort Arlington Heights High School in 1966. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and served in the United States Military as a Marine from 1966 through 1969. After an honorable discharge from the Marines, he worked as a Project Manager for the Everman Corporation before making a career change as Owner and Operator of Uni- versity Car Wash, Cityview Car Wash and Ex- press Car Wash.

He married Jane Sherrouse Miller on November 02, 1979, in Fort Worth, Texas. Jerry was a member of Christ Chapel Bible Church. He was President of both the Southwest Car Wash As- sociation and International Car Wash Association. He received the Southwest Car Wash Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. Jerry is preceded in death by parents, Mildred and Gene Miller; and son, Paul Miller.

Jerry is survived by wife, Jane Sherrouse Miller; chil- dren, Lisa and Todd Miller, Monica and Doug Cookston; brother, Mike Miller; sister, Melinda Hilton; and grand- children, Mary Adlai Miller, Pate Miller, Touse Cookston and Harper Cookston. Pallbearers will be Mike Miller, Todd Miller, Doug Cookston, Whit McKaskle, Sherrouse Cordell, Doyle Dixon, Touse Cookston, Pate Miller and Matthew Webster. Memorials: In lieu of ers, memorials may be given to The 43 Foundation or the charity of your choice in Jer- name. A Visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 on Monday, September 25, 2023, at Greenwood Chapel. A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at Greenwood Memo- rial Park with Tom Wilson officiating.

Jerry W. Miller May 8, 1948 September 17, 2023 Pottsville, Pennsylvania Joan Hildreth Mulqueen, 88, passed away Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Buri- al: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct.

2, 2023, at St. Bartholoew Catholic Church, 3601 Al- tamesa Blvd, Fort Worth, Texas 76133. Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park. Rosary: 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct.

1, 2023, in Greenwood Chapel. Joan was born in Potts- ville, Pennsylvania to Dr. Wesley Hildreth and Louise Warne Hildreth. She grad- uated from Pottsville High School in 1952 and received a degree from Hood College in Fredrick, Maryland. She continued her education at Cornell Univer- sity where she studied nurs- ing and earned her degree as a Registered Nurse.

nursing career be- gan in Quantico, Virginia before starting a family and moving to Fort Worth, Tex- as. In 1975 she began her 22-year career as a postpar- tum nurse at Harris Hospital, where she retired as a Lead Nurse. Joan fondly remem- bered her time at Harris with great pride and happiness. Joan was a devout Catho- lic and an active parishioner of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church.

When she her home with love, light and kindness, she could be found serving the needs of others in her St. community and in her neigh- borhood. Joan made it her mission in life to improve the lives of others, and she regularly took communion to those parishioners who could not attend church. Joan valued her faith and family above all, and her greatest joy in life was spending time with her chil- dren, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Joan was a remarkable lady who will be greatly missed by her many friends and family.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Bill Hildreth (Barbara). Survivors: Sisters, El- len Hildreth and Marianne McCloy; children, Susan Hetzler (Dale), Robert Mul- queen (Esther), Carol Fluster (Herbert), James Mulqueen (Bobbi) and Barbara Kraus (David), 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Joan Mulqueen October 15, 1934 September 9, 2023 Lakeside, Texas Hel- en Delores Villars Prasifka passed from this life Satur- day, September 16, 2023. Mass: 10:00 am, Thursday, September 28, 2023, Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 5953 Bowman Rob- erts Road, Fort Worth, TX. Recitation of The Holy Ro- sary will commence at 9:30 prior to the Mass.

Interment: 3:00 pm, Calva- ry Hill Cemetery, 3235 Lom- bardy Lane, Dallas, TX Everyone wishing to go the cemetery, should just meet there. Visitation: 6:00 7:00 pm, Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at Biggers Funeral Home, 6100 Azle Avenue, Fort Worth, TX. Helen Prasifka was born January 8, 1939 in Dallas, Texas, the third of four chil- dren born to Paul and Bes- sie Villars. She attended St. Edwards Catholic School till she graduated.

At St. Edwards church she partic- ipated in the church choir, being lead soprano vocalist for special songs and holiday services. It was at a Catholic Youth Group at St. Edwards that, she met her husband of 72 years, Walter Prasifka. They shared their faith and love of music and singing.

They married on December 31, 1949. Although she worked as a typist, after mar- riage she began her lifetime career of caring for home and family. She was the ulti- mate housewife, mother, and Grandmother. After her mar- riage she moved around the country with her assignments till they settled in Lakeside, TX, as founding members of the communi- ty. They had three children, Walter Ray, who died in infancy, daughter, Pam and son, Mark.

In 1958 they joined St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church which they attended for 65 years. She was an ac- tive volunteer at the Church and Catholic school attached to the church. She attend- ed a small bible group from there into her late eighties. She was an active volunteer in her church and communi- ty.

A fantastic cook, her fried chicken and pies were local- ly famous. Helen enjoyed family and community gath- erings, dancing, singing and most of all laughing. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Bes- sie Villars; husband, Walter R. Prasifka; sister Marie Ro- mano; and brother, Paul Vil- lars and wife Billie. Helen is survived by her sister, Juanita Wall; daugh- ter, Pam Hickman and hus- band, Dennis; son, Mark Prasifka and wife, Diana; granddaughter, Raissa Miller and husband, Travis; grand- sons, Nathaniel Hickman; Carson Hickman and wife, Kendall; Charles Justin Pra- sifka and wife, Elizaveta and Jacob Prasifka; great- grand- children, Ryah Marie Miller and Stevie June Miller and a host of nieces and nephews.

Helen Prasifka January 8, 1939 September 16, 2023 Sign an online Guest Book at www.star-telegram.com Express your condolences and share fond memories. Online Guest Books LEGACY.COM IS THE LEADER IN ONLINE OBITUARIES, PARTNERING WITH OVER 700 NEWSPAPERS WORLDWIDE. Obituaries To place an obituary in the Star-Telegram call 817-390-7780 or email Hours: Monday Sunday 8am 5pm Share Your Condolences, Thoughts Memories Online Sign the guest book and post your personal message for obituaries listed in paper, and from the past year. Find the online obituaries listing and a link to the guest book at: Obituaries To place an obituary in the Star-Telegram call 817-390-7780 or email Hours: Monday Sunday 8am 5pm Worth race to the spring. TMS vice president and general manager Mark Faber said in an interview this week that he would not comment on the re- port because it contains much He is correct; there is a lot of speculation in the report.

Brown is also one of few remaining reporters in America who covers rac- ing, and about as plugged in as they come. People at both IndyCar and Fox Sports, which carries NASCAR, said they think report is accurate. The respective 2024 schedules for both In- dyCar and NASCAR have not been announced, and are in the process of being finalized. TMS would prefer In- dyCar return. The four-year contract be- tween the two parties expired last year, but the two sides reportedly reached a multi-year ex- tension.

There are apparently potential scheduling con- flicts with IndyCar, NAS- Circuit of the Race in Austin, which is operated by the TMS people, and the de- sire to avoid the worst parts of the Texas summer heat. If this report is accurate it would mean that a track that opened in 1996, and once hosted NASCAR, IndyCar and the now- deceased CART series, would then potentially have one major race in 2024. Between 2005 and 2022, NASCAR visited TMS twice a year. Among those events were All-Star, and playoff, races. The Indy Car series has been a constant on the TMS schedule for 27 years; its 2023 race, on April 2, was both cele- brated for its exciting finish, and criticized for what was a follow-the- leader race.

The impetus behind these potential schedule alterations has nothing to do with the management of TMS, or the facility itself. It has everything to do with NASCAR trying to accommodate the visual that TV producers desire. At one time, TMS could seat 181,655 fans, which made it among the largest venues in the world. A packed TMS for a car race was a visual stop-down. In the last 20 years, as consumer habits evolved, tracks throughout the U.S.

removed seats that it could no longer fill. The only facility left that can get away with seats is the Indianapolis Motor Speed- way; Indy has the element as a bucket-list tourist destination few places possess. When TMS was built, adding seats and races were appropriate for the era. With that era over, those seats are an eyesore. Last year, Faber said the TMS grandstands were good for about 46,000.

If TMS sells 46,000 tickets for a race, a good haul. The challenge is there are far more than 46,000 seats, and on a TV screen 46,000 in a venue that can seat, say, 80,000 look great. Faber would not say what the attendance was at 2022 NASCAR race, which is a common practice at nearly every race facility in the U.S. Other NASCAR tracks have had the same issues as TMS, most notably Atlanta Motor Speedway. TMS has removed some of its seating, but to re- duce the number of suites to make the place look would cost millions.

Faber said the ticket sales for the 2023 NAS- CAR race weekend far exceed 2022, the same for a high number of suite sales. As far as affordable sporting events go, a NAS- CAR race is still one of the best deals around. A race ticket is $50. Parking is free. Fans can bring in a loaded cooler.

Faber has been with TMS for about a year, and aggressively tried to modernize the facility while attracting events outside of just racing. The venue itself is fine, and busy. Chevrolet tested cars at TMS. Peterbilt held a convention earlier this year that drew more than 2,000. New Holland agri- cultural manufacturer did the same.

Faber said the track hosted a total of 275 events last year. The three-day HWY30 Music Fest will run Oct. 19 to 22. reached out to Fort Worth city leaders in an effort to create more tour- ist-type opportunities, whether concerts, races, etc. receptive to host- ing anything; perhaps a soccer match.

The patch of grass on the straighta- way is big enough for a football game. just built a pickleball court by the Faber said. The land that Texas Motor Speedway sits on may now be worth a small fortune, but the does not mean the future of the facility is in peril. TMS is not going any- where, and only real issue are those seats. There are just too many of them.

Mac Engel: 817-390-7760, MacEngelProf FROM PAGE 1B ENGEL LM OTERO AP NASCAR returns to Texas Motor Speedway this week for a playoff race. future NASCAR dates are now in question, and it may no longer be on the future playoff schedule. history to have at least 40 homers and 40 steals in the same year. The others were Alfonso Soriano for the Nationals in 2006, Alex for the Seattle Mariners in 1998, Barry Bonds for the San Francisco Giants in 1996, and Jose Canseco for the Oakland Athletics in 1988. elite company, for Braves manager Brian Snitker said before the game.

just glad I got a front row seat to watch connected off left-hander Patrick Corbin leading off the top of the WASHINGTON Ronald Jr. joined exclusive 40-40 club Friday night by hit- ting his 40th home run of the season for the Atlanta Braves to go along with his 68 stolen bases. am extremely hap- said through a translator after 9-6 victory over the Wash- ington Nationals. estly, rounding the bases, I know if I was more nervous or became the fifth player in major league first inning. It was his 34th career leadoff homer and eighth this season.

also doubled and scored three runs. He has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games, with eight hom- ers and 15 RBIs during that span. His 143 runs are the most since scored 143 in his 2007 AL MVP campaign with the New York Yankees. Snitker said. healthy last year and he has been from the get-go this year.

I think a product of him doing what he can do because healthy A leading contender for the NL MVP award, the 25-year-old was already the only player in big league history with 30 homers and 60 stolen bases in one season. pretty incredible and just think of how many players have played in the big leagues and my name is said. hoping, and sure someone will break that record, tore a knee liga- ment during the 2021 season and missed Atlan- run to a World Series title that year. He got close to 40-40 in 2019 with 41 homers and 37 stolen bases. He said after game that quest was on his mind when he reached the mark Friday night.

had that goal in 2019 when I was almost able to get it, but my goal this season has been just stay said. luckily I have been able to stay Jr. joins 40-40 club with 40th HR Associated Press AMBER SEARLS USA TODAY NETWORK On Friday, Braves right fielder Ronald Jr. became the fifth player in major league history to have at least 40 homers and 40 steals in the same year (he had 68 steals as of Friday)..