Maria “Cora” Puente Elizondo, Age 87 of Kenedy, TX passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2016 in San Antonio, TX. Maria was born on March 10, 1929 in Kenedy, TX to the late Arnulfo and Saragosa Vasquez Puente.   She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother a homemaker and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband Dolorez Elizondo; parents, Arnulfo and Saragosa Puente; brothers, Martin Puente, Lupe Puente, Valentin Puente, Alfonso Puente and Big John Puente.

She is survived by her daughters Lupe Guerrero and husband Tito of San Antonio, TX, Julia Sanchez of San Antonio, TX; son, Kelly Elizondo and wife Ofelia of Austin, TX; sisters, Tila Solis of Kenedy, TX, Fannie Lopez of Edinburg, TX; brother, Gilbert Puente of Kenedy, TX; granddaughters, Amaris Guerrero of San Antonio, TX, Merida Elizondo of Austin, TX and great-grandson Tristan Dorado of San Antonio, TX.

A Holy Rosary will be recited on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 21, 2016 at 11AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Martin Puente, Jr., Michael Solis, David Puente, Johnny Puente, Ricky Puente, and Rene Solis.

John Keith Dudley passed away on October 6, 2016 in San Antonio after a full life that spanned over 93 years. Uncle John, as he was referred to by his family and his neighbors, was born to Beulah “Dude” and Zedkiah Dudley on May 1, 1923.  He was raised in Kenedy, Texas and moved to San Antonio after High School graduation.  He was proud of his service in the U.S. Army and his years as a civil servant at Kelly A.F.B. where he worked until his retirement.  His post-retirement life was very fulfilling since he was a true “Renaissance Man” who had many varied interests and talents.  He enjoyed watching movies and television with his two viewing favorites being anything on PBS and the game show Jeopardy.   His family knew, even his furry baby Buster, not to disturb him when it was time for Jeopardy.  Anyone who met Uncle John soon discovered he was an authentic bibliophile in that he truly loved to read and admired and collected books covering many areas of interest, ranging from historical dramas to mysteries, biographies to paperback novels. He was very proud of his “Rutledge” family heritage and took every opportunity possible to research his family history.  He loved to talk politics and was a genuine “New Deal” Democrat, who expressed as recently as last week, how proud he was that he had voted a straight democratic ticket every time he voted.  He loved to cook, and was famous for his “Mama Dude Chili” and his Spaghetti and Meatballs.   We always looked forward to seeing what mystery dish he was going to bring for Thanksgiving Dinner since he loved to experiment with new recipes he would come across. Uncle John loved music, especially jazz, and was not only a great self-taught artist, but also took pride in the years he was instructor of the Mixed Media Studies Class through the Academy of Learning in Retirement (ALIR).

More than anything Uncle John was a wonderful, kind, caring human being who loved his family and in turn was loved and cherished by them.  He is survived by his nephew Richard (Rick) N. Clark (Rheda) and his three great-nieces and one great nephew, Margaret Ann Kinman and husband Sam, Carol Marie (Mimi) Sauceda and husband Rudy, Julie Elise Mery and husband George, and Richard (Rick) E. Clark.  In addition, he is survived by nine great great nieces and nephews (Kyle, Lisa, Chad, Nichole, Nicholas, Teryn, Keith, Jeff and Clifton) and seven great great great nieces and nephews [Peyton, Sage, Graydeon, Christopher, Isabella, William (Liam) and Logan].  Uncle John used to laugh about how many greats had to be used when he was introduced to someone, but he was so proud of each and every one of them and shared his art with them over the years and in turn treasured and displayed the art projects he received from them.

A graveside service will be held at the Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy Texas at 11:00AM Tuesday, October 11, 2016.

Juan Eusebio Rios, born on September 27, 1951 in Kenedy, TX passed away on October 1, 2016 in Alice, TX at the age of 65. Mr. Rios was preceded in death by his mother, Ramona and his former spouse, Mary Lou Cortez. He is survived by his father, Eusebio Rios, of Kenedy, TX; his sons and daughter, John Rios and wife, Evette Martinez Rios, of La Feria, TX, Shirley Rios and Angela Molina, of Austin, TX and David Rios, of Houston, TX; four granddaughters, Neena Monique Rios, Briana Lauren Rios, Dezarae Jolie Rios, and Anica Janelle Rios; sisters, Nora Leal, of San Antonio, TX, Mary Pardo, Rosenberg, TX and Gloria Hinojosa, Fulsher, TX; brother, Theodoro Rios, Fall City, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives. Visitation was held Friday, October 7^th, 2016 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at Eckols Chapel . Rosary and Funeral services were held Saturday, October 8^th, 2016 at 10:00AM at Eckols Chapel followed with interment in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

Esperanza “Hope” Salinas Albiar, born on July 23, 1948 in Kenedy, TX passed away in San Antonio, TX surrounded by her family. She is the daughter of Gabriel and Baudelia Avalos Salinas. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Ynez Albiar, Jr.; her two sons, Jaime Albiar, of Kenedy, TX and Fernando S. Albiar, of Kenedy; two granddaughters, Andrea Albiar and Gabriela Albiar of Kenedy, TX; sisters: Alicia (John) Gench, of Sugarland, TX, Maria Miller of Curero, TX, Elena Rodriguez, of Kenedy, TX, Yolanda (Raymond) Lerma, of Kenedy, TX; brothers, Fernando Salinas of Kenedy, TX and Oscar (Sara) Salinas, of Kenedy, TX and other relatives. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 from 10:00AM to 9:00PM with a Rosary at 7:00PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 10:00AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating. Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.