Maria Elva Villarreal Gonzales of Coy City, Texas, passed
away on Thursday, March 29, 2012 in the Karnes City Health and Rehab Center at 6:30 P.M., at the age of 94 years, 3 months and 5 days.

She was born December 24, 1917 in Elsa, Texas, the
daughter of Pedro Villarreal and Elvira Velasquez Villarreal. She was a
homemaker and attended St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Karnes City.

She is survived by her daughters, Elvira Cruz and husband
Joe, Elena Rocha and husband Lupe and Santos Rodriguez; her sons, Pedro
Gonzales, Sr., and wife Mary, Carlos Gonzales and wife Lynette, Rosendo
Gonzales and Gregorio Gonzales and wife Sulema; 43 grandchildren; 90
great-grandchildren; and1 great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gregorio G. Gonzales; her 2
daughters; 2 sons; 2 sisters; and 3 brothers.

A rosary was recited at 7:00 P.M., Sunday, April 1, 2012 at Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral mass was celebrated 10 A.M., Monday, April 2, 2012 at St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Karnes City with Rev. Stanislaw Marciniak officiating. Burial followed in the Nell Cemetery, near Pawnee, Texas. Serving as pallbearers were, Gregorio Gonzales, III, Rolando Reyna, Tyler Flores, Dolores Rodriguez, Jr., Benny Gonzales, Jr., Billy Rocha, Sammy Gonzales and Daniel Ray Gonzales. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers were Joe Cruz, Jr., Lupe Rocha, Jr., Manuel Rocha, Amado Cruz and Arturo Cruz.

Gabriela Recio Guevara, a resident of Kenedy, Texas, passed away, Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 3:15 A.M., in the John Paul II Nursing Center at the age of 96 years, 5 months and 19 days.

Gabriela was born October 3, 1915, in Falfurrias, Texas the daughter of Roman and Nostara Luevano Recio.

Gabriela is survived by her daughters, Carmelita Guevara of Kenedy and Alicia Munoz of Temple; her 6 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Ms. Guevara is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jose Maria Guevara; her daughter, Maria Josefina Guevara; and her sons, Manuel, Ramon, and Bruno Guevara.

A rosary was recited on Friday, March 23, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. A Mass of Resurrection was celebrated at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Rev. Norbert Herman officiating. Interment followed in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Kenedy, Texas.

 John H. Poldreck, passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2012, in Weesatche, Texas, at the age of 91.

John was born in Bee County, to James and Lena Roehr Poldreck. John proudly served his country in the United States Army where he served during World War II, from 1942 through 1945; 9 of those months were spent in combat. John was part of the 38^th Division where they were known as the “Avengers of Batan”. He was also a “Browning Automatic Riffle (BAR) Gunner” having fought in New Guinea, the Southern Philippines Island Campaign, Layte, Samar, Batan (Zig Zag Pass) and Luzon. Mr. Poldreck was very proud of his accomplishments and decorations and medals that he received. On November 17, 1968, John married Ramona Villanueva at the Pawnee Café.

John is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Ramona V. Poldreck; his sons, Lee Roy Poldreck and John Poldreck and wife Linda; his sister Ruth Pittman; and his 2 loving grandchildren. Marlena “Lana” Poldreck and Jordan Poldreck. Mr. Poldreck is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Walter, Edwin, John, Alex, Benny, Ernest and Louie Poldreck.

Graveside services were in the Weesatche Cemetery, Weesatche, Texas, on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 10:00 A.M.

Presiliano “Pres” Salinas, Sr., a lifelong resident of Kenedy, Texas, went to be with the Lord on, Saturday, March 17, 2012, in Karnes City, Texas, at the age of 85 years, 2 months and 13 days.

Pres was born in Charco, Texas on January 4, 1927 to Antonio and Anita Salinas. After proudly serving in the United States Army, Pres married Rosie Ramirez on April 20 1955. Together they owned and operated Rosie’s Flower Shop; but their biggest joy was raising their children.

Pres is survived by his loving wife of over 55 years, Rosie Salinas; his sons, Ray Rossett and wife Martha of Kenedy, Norman Salinas and wife Gennie of Corpus Christi, Pres Salinas, Jr., and wife Diane of Helotes and Seferino Salinas of Killeen; his brothers, Tillie Salinas and wife Minnie of San Antonio, Aquiliano Salinas and wife Rafela and Dan Mejia and wife Natalia, both of Kenedy; and his beautiful 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Pres is also survived by a very dear niece, whom he and Rosie considered more as a daughter, JoAnn Bennett. Mr. Salinas proceeded in death by his parents; his brother, Seferino Salinas; and his sister Antonia Mindieta.

The family received friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, March 20, 2012 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. in the Eckols Chapel with Rev. Walter Hill, III officiating. Interment followed in the Loma Alta Cemetery with Aaron Rossett, Seferino Salinas, Jr., Sam Salinas, Ryan Salinas, Stephen Salinas and Joe Altamirano, serving as pallbearers.

Nicolas “Nick” P. Contreras, resident of Pettus, Texas, passed away on Friday, March 16, 2012, at 11:15 P.M., in the Bluebonnet Nursing Center in Karnes City, Texas, at the age of 79 years, 10 months and 6 days.

Nick was born in Yorktown, Texas, on May 10, 1932 to Francisco Contreras and Nicolasa Perez Contreras. 

Nick leaves behind a loving family, survivors include; his daughters, Elva Gonzales of Runge and Cynthia Rodriguez of Pettus; his sons, Frank Contreras of Runge, David Contreras of San Antonio and Hector Ramirez of Chino, California; his sisters, Sylvia Perry of Victoria, Mary Jane Jaramillo of La Vernia, Rosalinda Alaniz of Dallas, Janie Contreras of Kenedy and Josephina Garcia of Brownfield; his brother, Rogelio Contreras of Victoria; and his 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Mr. Contreras is preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Carmen Reyna and Susana Garcia.

A rosary was recited on, Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 7:00 P.M., in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Monday, March 19, 2010 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy, with Rev. Norbert Herman officiating. Interment followed in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

Jimmy Flores Estrada passed away, Monday, March 12, 2012 at the John Paul II Nursing Home in Kenedy, Texas, at the age of 56 years, 11 months and 6 days.

Jimmy was born April 3, 1955 in Altum, Texas the son of Juan and Petra Flores Estrada. He attended school in Kenedy and later went on to work in various fields of maintenance for both the City of Kenedy and the City of Beeville.

Jimmy is survived by his daughters; Erika Estrada of Huffman, Melissa Estrada and Sabrina Estrada, both of Runge; his son, Jimmy Lee Garza of Karnes City; his aunts, Isabell and Dora Estrada of Kenedy; his sisters, Francis Estrada of Kenedy and Peggy Luis Perez of Houston; his brothers, Juan Estrada and wife Crystal and Paul Estrada, both of Kenedy; and his grandsons, Jakob McDonald and Aiden Billman of Huffman. Jimmy is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Estrada is preceded in death by his parents, Juan and Petra Estrada.

A rosary was recited at 7:00 P.M., Thursday, March 15, 2012, in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral mass was celebrated on, Friday, March 16, 2012 at 10:00 A.M., at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Rev. Norbert Herman officiating. Interment followed in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

Travis Leon Shelton, of Beeville, Texas; formerly of Kenedy, died on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at the age of 67 years, in Houston, Texas.

Travis was born on December 1, 1944 the son of Robert and Gertrude Broadnax Shelton in Kenedy, Texas.

Travis was a hardworking ranch hand and enjoyed what he did. He was always ready to  help out where it was needed. He always had a smile on his face that could light up a room. His smile and sense of humor will be missed.

Travis is survived by his wife, Mary Helen Lino of Beeville; his children, Marivel Lino, John Lino and James Lino all of Beeville; his sister, Nora Ann Shelton of San Antonio; and his brothers, Charles and Johnny Shelton, both of San Antonio. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Robert and Allen Shelton; and his sister, Jean Shelton.

A prayer service was held on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel at 7:30 P.M., with Rev. Mary Posey oficiating. Funeral services were at 2:30 P.M., Thursday, March 15, 2012 in the funeral home chapel. Interment followed in the Kenedy Cemetery.

Leslie Noel Windham passed from this life on March 8, 2012, at the age of 73. He was born in San Antonio on January 11, 1939, to Josephine Parr and Civilo Perender Windham, the second of two sons.

The family lived in San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Pecos, and finally settled on the Parr farm in the Cadillac Community. Noel attended school at the two-room school his grandfather Parr helped construct, and completed high school at Pawnee in 1956. He graduated from UT Austin in 1961 after marrying his high school sweetheart Janice Hoff in 1960.

Noel was called to active duty in the U.S. Army in April, 1962. He and Janice were stationed at Ft. Lee, Va.; Hanau, Germany; Bangkok, Thailand; Ft. Sam Houston; Seoul, Korea; Ft. Hood, and Noel served two tours in Viet Nam. Their two daughters Lesly Windham Haygood and Jennifer Lynne Windham were born in 1961 and 1964. After the Army, Noel managed a restaurant, but rejoined the military community as a civilian with the Air Force and then the Army, retiring from MWR at Ft. Sam in 2001.

He then pursued his many hobbies: vegetable gardening, stained glass, woodworking, reading, and especially hunting and fishing. He loved spending time at the deer camp on his “place” with friends and family (males only). Sitting around a campfire with grandsons poking the fire was true joy. He taught his grandsons how to butcher hogs and deer and how to process the meat. As his legs failed him, he took great pleasure in guiding his grandsons and daughter Jennifer in successful hunts.

He will be greatly missed by wife Janice, daughters Lesly and husband Bill and Jennifer, grandsons Preston Windham Haygood, Hunter Gordon Haygood, Caleb Williams Haygood, and Samuel Warren Haygood; nephews Colin and Dylan Windham and wife Julie, Chris and wife Julie and Clint and wife Jill Colvin; nieces Corrie Colvin Williams and husband James and Cathie Colvin; two great-nephews and three great nieces; sisters-in-law Pam Colvin and husband Jim and Mary Windham and his beloved Brittany Spaniel, Max III. He was pre-deceased by his parents, his parents-in-law Sam and Ruth Hoff, his brother Don and his brother-in-law Sammie Don Hoff.

Visitation was held on Monday, March 12, 2012, from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Services were conducted at Eckols Funeral Home, Kenedy, Texas, on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 2:00 P.M., with Rev. Bill Haywood and Rev. Gerald Harvey officiating. Burial followed at the Pawnee Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were, Preston Haygood, Hunter Haygood, Caleb Haygood, Samuel Haygood, Chris Colvin, Clint Colvin, Colin Windham, Dylan Windham, Frank Blakely and J.T. Thames.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pawnee Methodist Church or the South Texas Children’s Home.

Thomas Ray “Tray” Vickery, III, a lifelong resident of Kenedy, Texas, died, Thursday, March 1, 2012, at the age of 19 years and 17 days.  

“Tray” was born on February 13, 1993 to Thomas Ray Vickery, II and RoseMary Dovalina Vickery in Victoria, Texas. He was raised in Kenedy and attended Kenedy Schools where he graduated from, Class of 2011. He and his family were all active members in the First Baptist Church in Kenedy. Tray was also an active member in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the FFA, The 4-H and played football. Tray never failed to find time for volunteering so freely; wherever and whenever it was needed.

Hunting hogs with his dogs was a passion only surpassed by his love for his Savior Jesus Christ. Tray truly cherished his family and his friends and enjoyed spending time with each of them.  He was a happy young man with an infectious smile and a servant’s heart that never met a stranger; no matter what their age.

Tray leaves behind his parents, Thomas Ray, II, and RoseMary Vickery; his grandmother, Elaine Vickery; his grandparents Lewis and Maria Collins; his sisters, Lillian Vickery and Laurel Vickery; his brother, Travis Vickery; and his aunts and uncles, Brain and Kathy Vickery, Stacey Vickery, Roger and Belinda Dovalina, John and Rachel Dovalina, Sally Dovalina and Michael and Sarah Booker.

The family received friends on Sunday, March 4, 2012 from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. A Celebration of Life was held on Monday, March 5, 2012 at 1:00 P.M. in the First Baptist Church, Kenedy, Texas officiated by, Rev. John Wheat.

In lieu of Flowers the family respectfully requests that donations be made the Tray Vickery Memorial Fund c/o Wells Fargo.  

Serving as pallbearers were, Corky Vickery, Ajax Vickery, Travis Vickery, Brian Vickery, Roger Dovalina and John Dovalina. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Max Vickery, Michael Booker, Noble Gilchrest, Joseph Barkley and Joe Escandon.