Erlinda Rios Alvear

Erlinda Rios Alvear, entered eternal rest, at 4:01 P.M., Sunday, October 28, 2012, at Hacienda Oaks Nursing Home, in Beeville, Texas at the age of 92 years and 1 day.

Erlinda was born, October 27, 1920, in Alice, Texas, the daughter of Jose Rios and Anastacia Gonzales Rios. Erlinda was a devoted a wife, mother and homemaker.

Erlinda is survived by her sons; Joe Alvear of San Antonio, Texas, Guadalupe Alvear of Runge, Texas, Nolberto “Beto” Alvear, Jr. and wife Esperanza of Kenedy, Texas and Mercedes Alvear of San Antonio, Texas. Ms. Alvear is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Nolberto Alvear, Sr.; her son, Frank Alvear; her 3 sisters and 4 brothers.

Visiation was held, Tuesday, October 30, 2012 and a rosary was recited Tuesday at 7:00 P.M., in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas. Funeral mass was celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Kenedy, Texas with Rev. Norbert Herman officiating. Interment followed in the Loma Alta Cemetery, Kenedy, Texas. Serving as pallbearers were, Timmy Garza, Tony Alvear, Ramond Villerreal, Boddy DeLos Santos, Moises Cruces and Juan Garza.

Lillian Fritz Odenwelder

Lillian Odenwelder passed away peacefully at home in Austin, Texas, October 24, 2012, after a series of strokes. She was born,  January 11, 1929 in Marion, Texas and grew up on a farm in Guadalupe County. As a young adult she moved to Pennsylvania with her husband and helped out in retail sales, specializing in appliances and sewing machines.

Lillian loved to cook and bake for family and friends. She prided herself on keeping a very tidy home, and always presented herself at her best. Her favorite thing to do was being around relatives and friends, especially during holidays when many would come from far away to enjoy her hospitality. Lillian’s kindness and loving demeanor were appreciated by all who knew her.

Lillian is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; her parents, Carl and Flora Fritz; her brothers, Arno, Andrew, Marvin and Lewis; and her sisters Linda and Bertha. She is survived by her sister, Lonie Zwicke; her sons, Wayne and wife Darlene Stockton of Kenedy, Texas, Thomas Odenwelder of Galveston, Texas, Floyd and wifeCarol Odenwelderof Florence, Alabama; her daughters, Deborah and husband Robert Underwood of Austin, Texas, and Kay Odenwelder of West Deptford, New Jersey. She also had nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Besides family, she will be lovingly missed by the many friends she made over the 83 years of her wonderful life.

Funeral services began at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, October 27, 2012, in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas, with Rev. Wally Schievelbein officiating. Serving as pallbearers were, Ely Odenwelder, Bradley Fish, George Fritz, Andy Fritz, Randy Schultz and Emily Fenton.

Daniel Jackson “Red” Robinson, Sr.

Daniel Jackson Robinson, Sr. (Red) was reunited with Ann, his beloved wife on October 22, 2012. Daniel is survived by his sisters DiAnn Hawkins, Margie Sumrow and Imogene Robison; his children, Daniel Jr., and Debbie Robinson, Johnny Roy and Liz Robinson, and Lu Ann and Mitch Long. His grandchildren, Daniel Jackson Robinson III (Trey), Ruby Robinson, Tucker Andrew Long and Kally Annlyn Long; nieces and nephews, many friends and people he touched.

He went to be with our Lord and those who wait at Heaven’s gate, wife Ann Robinson, parents Ruby and Daniel Robinson, and brother, J.B. Red served his country in the Navy. Served his family and friends each day of his life. He was a storyteller and a cutup; always making us laugh, always giving us hope. He fished as long as he could and loved every minute of it. He wanted others to celebrate life, not dwell on death, so his advice to anyone reading this is . . . “Grab a pole. Hit the water. Don’t look back!”

The family respectfully asks that donations be made to a Hospice of your choice, any of the Food Banks, or to your favorite charity.

A private memorial service will be hosted by the family.

San Juanita Velasquez Arenas

San Juanita Arenas, a resident of Kenedy, Texas, entered eternal rest, Monday, October 22, 2012, at 8:25 A.M., at Karnes City Health and Rehab Center in Karnes City, Texas at the age of 67 years, 8 months and 2 days.

San Juanita was born February 20, 1945 in Karnes County, Texas, the daughter of Ramon Velasquez and Angelita Gonzales Velasquez. In 1980, San Juanita married Samuel Arenas in Kenedy, Texas. San Juanita worked as a medicine aide for 20 years at the Karnes City Health and Rehab Center.

San Juanita is survived by her husband, Samuel Arenas; her daughter, Anna Lisa Arenas; her son, Domingo Perez; her sisters, Josefine Ramon and Maria Perez; and her brothers, Ruben Velasquez, Roy Velasquez and Ramiro Velasquez. Mrs. Arenas is preceded in death by her parents, Ramon and Angelita Velasquez.

A rosary was recited, Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 7:00 P.M., in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas. Funeral mass was celebrated at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Kenedy, Texas, with Rev. Norbert Herman officiating. Interment followed in the Loma Alta Cemetery, Kenedy, Texas. Serving as pallbearers were, Rico Perez, John Eric Garcia, Christopher Parker, Matthew Arenas, Roel Rodriguez and Mario Perez. Honorary pallbearers included, Tracey Jendr, Mike Howard and Murray Rudolph.

Steven Garcia

Steven Garcia a resident of San Antonio, Texas, formerly of Victoria, Texas, passed away, October 19, 2012 in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 30 years, 3 months and 2 days.  He was born on July 17, 1982 in Floresville, Texas, the son of Diana Molina and Gilbert Garcia.

Steven graduated from Victoria High School in Victoria, Texas and went on to get his BBA Degree in Marketing from the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he was also a Self-Contracting entrepreneur.

He is survived by his parents; his sister, Sonia Garcia of Victoria, Texas; his brother, D.J. Molina of Victoria, Texas; his grandmothers, Maria Salas Guzman of Port Lavaca, Texas and Guadalupe Velasquez of Kenedy, Texas; and his life companion, Roy Fields of San Antonio, Texas. Steven is also survived by his niece, Adrianna Lopez; his nephews, Liam Molina and Noah Molina and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A rosary was recited, Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 6:30 P.M., at Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas, with funeral services following at 7:00 P.M., also in the chapel, with the Rev. Norman Hermann officiating. A private graveside was held, Monday, October 22, 2012, at the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Kenedy, Texas.

Milton E. Slaughter, Sr.

Milton E. Slaughter, Sr., joined hands with the Lord on October 8, 2012, to complete his journey of sharing. He dedicated a lifetime to serving without seeking benefit; giving to all without questioning the need; teaching life lessons for the joy of knowledge; and adopting the children of Runge, providing the love of a man with a heart full of compassion.

Milton is survived by his wife of 16 years, Sandra Osburn Slaughter, of Runge. The couple married on October 5, 1996, in Runge, Texas. Milton was also blessed with a family of three sons, Milton Slaughter, Jr., and wife Rox, Russell Osburn and Janie and Michael Slaughter and Diana; and two daughters, Shari Slaughter Janak and Roxanne Webb and husband Rick. Milton is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Sheila Noake and husband Brett, Shanna Wadsworth and husband Josh, Chelsea Slaughter, Brent Janak and Jeanette, Aaron Slaughter, Bekah Webb, Riley Webb and Ashton Slaughter. He also knew the love of six great grandsons: Zachary Janak, Evan and Logan Starling, Will, Gus and Hud Wadsworth.

Milton was born on March 21, 1937, in Kenedy, to Josie Puckett Slaughter and Elvin Marion Slaughter. He graduated from Kenedy High School in 1955, where he was President of his Senior Class, a member of NHS, and voted Mr. Kenedy High. On July 13, 1957, he married June C. Kramer. The couple remained married for 38 years until her death on September 6, 1995. Milton Slaughter knew the value of a strong work ethic. He worked in his parents’ dry cleaning business as a child, at Johnson’s Flowers and The Kenedy Compress as a teenager, and for Alcoa as a young man. He retired after a 33-year career with Union Carbide, his final employment as a Shift Department Head. In his retirement, Milton learned the pleasures of real work, as he returned to his roots in Karnes County with Sandra in 1996, and began farming and ranching. Milton is survived by a sister, Peggy Graham, a brother, Billy and wife Mildred and a sister-in-law, Billie Jean Slaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Joe Slaughter and a brother-in-law, Wallace Graham. 

Visitation was held from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., Thursday, October 11, 2012 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas. Funeral services began at 10:00 A.M., Friday, October 12. 2012, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jon Waller officitating. Burial wifollowed at Memorial Park Cemetery, Victoria, Texas. Pallbearers included; Billy Butler, Floyd Brasher, Bob Alexander, Ted Deming, Jacky Lott, Leon Srubar, Russell Osburn and Hector Mendoza.

 Just as Milton gave in life, so did he remember to continue that gift beyond. He donated his corneas for two others to have the gift of sight. Donations of remembrance may be made to the Runge First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 488, Runge, TX 78151; Pulmonary Fibrosis Association of Texas, 1525 Lakewood Drive, #101, Kingwood, TX 77339, or to the charity of choice.

Herlinda Hernandez Alvear

Herlinda Hernandez Alvear, resident of Kenedy, Texas, entered eternal rest Sunday, October 7, 2012, at 2:45 P.M., at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 61 years, 5 months and 9 days.

Herlinda was born April 28, 1951, in Goliad, Texas, the daughter of Manuel Hernandez and Josefina Rodriguez Hernandez. On July 15, 1968, Herlinda married Frank Alvear in Kenedy, Texas. The two began their life and raised 3 daughters. Herlinda was a devoted housewife and also worked as a C.N.A. at the John Paul II Nursing Home in Kenedy, Texas. Herlinda was of the Catholic faith.

Herlinda is survived by her daughters, Kelly Ann Alvear and Stefanie Alvear both of Stockdale, Texas; her brothers, Isidro Hernandez of Ross, Texas and Fernando Hernandez of Harker Heights, Texas; her sisters, Feliciana Janssen of Kenedy, Carmen Salas of Nolanville, Texas, Dominga Hernandez of Kenedy, Texas, Guadalupe Reyna of Nolanville, Texas, Angie De Los Santos of Ross, Texas and Esperanza Alvear of Kenedy, Texas; and her 3 beloved grandchildren. Ms. Alvear is preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Linda Lou Alvear; her brother, Manuel Hernandez; and her sisters, Irma Hernandez and Felipa Hernandez.

A rosary was, Wednesday, October 10, 2012 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel at 7:00 P.M. Funeral mass was celebrated at 9:30 A.M., Thursday, October 11, 2012, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, with Rev. Norbert Herman officiating. Interment followed in the Loma Alta Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were, Julian Esquivel, Fernando Hernandez, Jr., Henry Janssen, Fidencio Vera, Aurelio Torres and Jessie Hernandez.