Joe Kotzur, age 88 a longtime resident of Pettus, Texas for over 60 years, passed away, Monday, March 31, 2014, at 2:37 A.M., in the Bluebonnet Nursing and Rehab Center in Karnes City, Texas surrounded by his family.

Joe was born to Joseph Kotzur and Clara Gabrysch Kotzur on September 14, 1925 in Wilson County, Texas. Joe worked in the oil fields of South Texas. On February 10, 1951, Joe married Clarona Koerth in Karnes City, Texas. Mr. Kotzur served his country in the United States Army and was a proud Veteran of World War II; after leaving the Army, he served in the United States Navy. He was a devoted husband and a loving father.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of over 63 years, Clarona Kotzur; his daughter, Debra Strya and husband Ferdinand of Yorktown; his sons, Steve Kotzur of Berclair and Terry Wood of Lake Hills; his grandson, Brett Strya, and his brother, E.W. Kotzur of Floresville. Mr. Kotzur is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Clara Kotzur.

Visitation will be held, Wednesday, April 2, 2014 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held, 2:00 P.M., Thursday, April 3, 2014 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Kenedy, Texas. Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be, Danny Koerth, Lloyd Koerth, E.M. Kotzur, Jr., Jerry Kotzur, Ray Kotzur, and Kenneth Kotzur.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; 590 Hwy 72; Kenedy, Texas.

God graciously honored our prayers Sunday, March 30^th and gently took our loving husband and father, Alvin Randy McDonald in his sleep after a prolonged illness in San Antonio, TX.  Born November 25, 1938 in Kenedy, Texas to Alvin John McDonald and Sybil Vickery, he was 75 years old.

Upon earning his degree from Lamar University, he served as a Civil Engineer for the Federal Highway Administration for 34 years.  Throughout his career he was instrumental in researching and implementing many new processes including the asphalt recycling program. He was a lifelong member of Chi Epsilon and a past Republican Chairman for Bee County.  A self-taught piano player, he couldn’t pass up a piano without sitting down to play, always gathering a crowd.  He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Alene Hatcher of Beeville, TX with whom he enjoyed exploring the wonders of the United States with their children as his job took them all over the country.

He leaves behind three children who cherish the honor they have had of helping to care for him over the past few years; Pam Davis and husband Craig of Boerne, TX, Dana McDonald of Fort Worth, TX, and John McDonald and wife Kathryn of Skidmore, TX. He was very proud of his three grandchildren; Ben Davis and wife Marisa of New Boston, TX, Tara Ward and husband Preston of North Richland Hills, TX and Jacob Davis of Boerne, TX who remember him most fondly for the tall tales he would spin, always trying to figure out if they were real or not.  He was excitedly awaiting the arrival of his first great-grandchild in September.  He is also survived by his mother, Sybil McDonald of Corpus Christi, TX and sister Faun Stone and husband Don of Corpus Christi, TX.

Rejoicing that he is entertaining the angels tinkling the ivories and dancing in heaven, his family is grateful for this time they have had with their father and husband reliving and sharing the memories we’ve made during our lives together.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 1:30 pm at the Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in his memory to the Children Are a Gift Foundation at www.childrenareagift.org where the grandson who preceded him, Zackery Davis, is remembered, or the charity of your choice.

Rafael “Ralph” Guajardo Solis, a lifelong resident of Kenedy, Texas, passed away, Sunday, March 30, 2014 at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 66 years, 5 months and 6 days.

Ralph was born, October 24, 1947 in the son of Francisco Solis and Maria Guajardo Solis. On November 5, 1966, Ralph married the love of his life, Tila Puente.

Ralph is survived by his wife of over 47 years, Tila Solis of Kenedy; his sons, Michael R. Solis and wife Trish of Sugarland and Rene Solis and wife Alicia of Missouri City; his sisters Petra Zamora and Lorenza Gonzales; and his brothers, Santiago Solis and wife Manuela and Domingo Solis. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Sara Solis, Mark Zermeno and wife Sara and Joshua Zermeno and wife Kristen, and his 3 great-grandchildren. Mr. Solis is preceded in death by his parents; his 3 brothers and 1 sister.

Visitation will be held in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel beginning at 12 Noon, Tuesday, April 1, 2014 and a rosary will be recited Tuesday at 7:00 P.M., at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Kenedy. Funeral mass will be celebrated, 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy, Texas with Rev. Norbert Herman officiating. Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Kenedy, Texas. Serving as pallbearers will be, Mark Zermeno, Josh Zermeno, Richard Zamora, Joe Luis Zamora, Joe Daniel Solis, Chris Robles, Steve Gonzales, Jimmy Solis, Jr., and Marcus Solis.

Nick F. Kroll, Jr., a resident of Hobson, Texas, entered eternal rest, Friday, March 28, 2014 at 9:50 P.M., at Kindred Hospital in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 76 years, 3 months and 28 days.

Nick was born, November 30, 1937 in Karnes County, Texas, the son of Nick Kroll, Sr., and Otillia Pawelek Kroll. On January 26, 1963, Nick married Jo Ann Polasek in Karnes City, Texas.

Mr. Kroll is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Walter Kroll, Emil Kroll, Sr., and Ernest Kroll, and his sisters, Alice Manka and Ann Seitz. Nick is survived by his beloved wife of over 51 years, Jo Ann Kroll, and his three daughters, Fran Kroll Fransen and husband Eric, Jr., of Fulsher, Gloria Kroll Fenner and husband Vernon, Jr., of Hobson, and Elaine Kroll Simmons and husband Warren of Falls City. HE is also survived by his 10 grandchildren, Robin Fransen Serio, Eric “Trey” Fransen, III, Rebecca Fransen, Abigail Fenner, Garrett Fenner, Theresa Fenner, Megan Simmons, Amber Simmons, and Kayla and Casey Simmons.

Visitation will be held, Tuesday, April 1, 2014 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel and a rosary will be recited Tuesday at 7:00 P.M., also in the chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated, 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Hobson, Texas with Rev. Jeff Polasek officiating. Interment will follow in the Falls City Cemetery, Falls City, Texas. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Falls City Council.

Doris Eloise Duncan Ross, 94 of Kenedy, Texas, passed away, Saturday, March 22, 2014 in Corpus Christi. Doris was born on August 28, 1919 in Milan County, Texas the daughter of Joe P. Duncan and Aurie Fields Duncan.  She married Denver T. Ross on March 6, 1940 in Karnes City, Texas.

She was a very loving and devoted mother, grandmother and a tremendous woman of faith.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Denver T. Ross, her parents and her brother, Paul Duncan. She is survived by her daughter, Dortha Rivera and husband Rudy of Corpus Christi, Texas, and her granddaughter Dorissa Rivera of Corpus Christi, Texas.

Visitation will be held, Tuesday, March 25, 2014 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Funeral Services will begin Tuesday, March 25, 2014  at 1:00 P.M., in the Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Walter Hill, III officiating.  Interment will follow in the Karnes County Memorial Park Cemetery in Kenedy, Texas.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to all the past and present staff of the Corpus Christi Nursing and Rehab Center for the care they have shown and provided Doris the past 7 years.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial be made to the South Texas Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1210, Beeville, Texas 78104; or the charity of donor’s choice.

Maria Guadalupe Reyna Ramos, a longtime resident of Kenedy, Texas, passed away, Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 65 years, 1 month and 3 days.

Maria was born February 15, 1949 in Kenedy, Texas the daughter of Simon T. Reyna and Manuela Garcia Reyna. Maria was of the Catholic faith.

Maria is survived by her daughters, Doris Segura and Adela Jew both of San Antonio; her son, Joe Simon Sandoval of San Antonio, and her brother, Jimmy Reyna of Kenedy. She is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Inez R. Hernandez, and her brothers, Manuel G. Reyna and Francisco G. Reyna.

A rosary will be recited, Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 7:00 P.M., in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Kenedy, Texas. Funeral mass will be celebrated, 10:00 A.M., Friday, March 21, 2014 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy, Texas. Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Kenedy, Texas.

Jamie M. Falvella Foster Smith a resident of Hallettsville, Texas and formally of Kenedy, Texas, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Lavaca Medical Center in Hallettsville, Texas, at the age of 76 years, 3 months and 20 days.

Jamie was born on November 23, 1937 in Alice, Texas the daughter of James William and Lois Henderson Falvella. She graduated from Kenedy High School, Class of 1956 and from Texas A&I College in 1960. In 2000, Jamie retired as a Special Education teacher for the Kenedy Independent School District.

Mrs. Smith is preceded in death by her father, James William Falvella; her husband, Malcom C. Smith and brother, Frank Falvella. She is survived by her first husband, Fritz Foster; her mother, Lois Falvella; her daughter, Kathleen Foster of Austin; her sons, James Foster and wife Janet of Hallettsville, Joe Foster of Kenedy, and Jeff Foster of Corpus Christi; and her grandchildren, Preslie Foster, Gunnar Janak, and Jacki Foster.

The family will receive friends and relatives beginning, Wednesday, March 19, 2014 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M., Thursday, March 20, 2014 at First Baptist Church in Kenedy, Texas with Rev. Tim Williams officiating. Interment will follow at the Kenedy Cemetery. Serving as pall bearers will be, Joe Foster, Jeff Foster, Shelby Dupnik, Fred Nichols, Jamie Brown and Gunnar Janak.

Michael F. Mattingly, a longtime resident of Refugio, Texas, passed away, Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at the Palma Real Nursing Home in Mathis, Texas at the age of 64.

Michael was born in Batesville, Indiana, April 16, 1949, the son of Frances Edward Mattingly and Mary Faith Tracey.

Michael is survived by his 2 sons, Rodney Mattingly and wife Maria of Conroe and Tony Matting of San Marcus; his sisters, Cherie F. Wood and Maria Mattingly, and his brothers, Patrick and Matthew Mattingly. He is also survived by his 3 beloved grandchildren. Mr. Mattingly is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Terrance Mattingly.

A rosary will be recited, Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 10:00 A.M., in the Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church in Refugio, Texas. Mass will be celebrated immediately following the Rosary.

Charlene L. Williams, 67, went to be at peace with her heavenly father on the evening of February 25, 2014.  She will be greatly missed by all those who loved her.

She is survived by her best friend and companion Dean Maltsberger, her children Lesle (Slade) Dial, Jim (Paula) Woodside, Seana (Mark) Towner, her grandchildren (Britni, Carissa, Sarah, Kathryn, Christian, Shiloh, Jenna, Wyatt, Peyton, Kaedyn, Brogan and Archer), her siblings (Jacgue, Pam, Bobby, Kathy, and Frank) and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the animal rescue society of your choice.  Arrangements were entrusted to Eckols Funeral Home, Inc.  Kenedy, Texas.