Leonardo Leroy “Lenny” Morin, beloved, husband, father, son, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, entered to Eternal Rest on January 16, 2026, at the age of 49 years, in Lawton, Oklahoma after a courageous two-year battle with cancer, surrounded by his loved ones.  He was born on November 2, 1976, in Floresville, Texas. Lenny was the beloved son of Rosie Alvarado Reyna and stepfather Ramon Reyna. Lenny began his early years at Pawnee Headstart. He was a proud graduate of Pettus High School, Class of 1995. He enlisted in the National Guard at age 17. He attended Incarnate Word College. In May of 1996 at the age of 19 he enlisted into the US Army. Deployments during his tenure included Hawaii, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Korea, and multiple tours in Afghanistan. He served as a Forward Observer Specialist to a Division targeting NCO as a Platoon Sgt. and Company 1SG during both peace and wartime. He was a paratrooper with 82^nd Division to an armor Bradley gunner for a fire support vehicle to an IBCT gun truck TC with four gun trucks to control with fire support capabilities. While serving in the US Army he met some awesome people and made many friends from all parts of the world who served with him.  Job titles included: 13F Instructor at People, Technology and Process August 1, 2019, to Present (Lawton, OK) Former Fire Support Sergeant at 1^st Armored Division August 2009 – March 10, 2016Former SFC Retired at US Army January 1994 – March 10, 2016, Worked at home December 1, 2004, to Present. During his military career he met and married the love of his life Emma Durante Morin on August 9, 2005, in Seoul, Korea and gained a family of 4 children. While living in Korea they had EmileeRose and Leonardo Jr. Later they moved to El Paso where they had Elena Jade. After living in El Paso they moved to Lawton, Oklahoma. Due to health issues his active military career changed. He retired but continued to work on base as Fire Support Instructor for 13F.  In October 2022 he suffered a heart attack but continued working. In May of 2023 he was diagnosed with cancer which he battled for 2 years and 8 months.  Sgt. Morin (Momo) continued to work for his family up until the very end. Even though he was fighting for his life, Sgt. Morin remained a proud Veteran, fighting no matter what (ATW “Airborne All the Way). He served 22 years with no regrets. His family recalls that he was a loving Father who always took his children on lunch dates going above and beyond for them. Everyone always knew Lenny as a strong man that loved to grill and play pool. He was very devoted to his job in the military. Dad, Lenny, Sgt. Morin will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He will be missed by all.  Lenny was preceded in death by his father Leroy P. Morin; Maternal grandparents Enrique & Minerva Alvarado; his paternal grandparents Leonardo & Flora Morin, and other beloved family members.  He is survived by his wife Emma Durante Morin, daughters EmileeRose Morin (Hootie Dodd), Elena Jade Morin, son Leonardo Leroy Morin Jr., and Screamie, Mimi, and Maxie the family cats, all from Lawton, Oklahoma. He is also survived by stepchildren Timothy John Balbin (Jeanette Torres) of El Paso, Audrey May Durante of the Philippines, Jonathan Durante of Germany, Mary Madelene Balbin of Hawaii. Grandchildren: Yuri Cartagena, Drazen Balbin, Zoren Balbin, Zaid Balbin.

Family visitation begins at 8:30 am with public visitation held 10:30 am to 6:30 pm on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Eckols Funeral Home, Kenedy, Texas. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm that evening. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Kenedy, Texas. Internment will follow at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery in Pawnee, Texas.

The family would like to thank everyone who kept them in their prayers.

Saundra Jean Lieke, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, and retired educator, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2026, at the age of 83.

Saundra was born on October 9, 1942, in Beeville to William and Sally (Marshall) Welkener. She was raised on the family farm and ranch in Bee County, where she learned the values of hard work, faith, and family that guided her throughout her life. She was baptized and confirmed at Pawnee Methodist Church. Saundra attended school in Pawnee, where she met the love of her life, Elton Lieke. She graduated from Pawnee High School in May of 1961, and on June 9, 1962, she and Elton were united in marriage at Pawnee Methodist Church. Together, they were blessed with three children: Brian, Cymantha, and Eric.

Saundra devoted her life to caring for others, both at home and in the classroom. She spent 24 years as an educator, viewing teaching not simply as a profession, but as a true calling. She took great pride in the many students whose lives she helped shape and guide over the years.

Family was always at the heart of Saundra’s life. She was a loving and devoted mother who offered constant encouragement, wisdom, and support. As a grandmother and great-grandmother, she found immense joy in her grandchildren and great-grandsons, her face lighting up whenever they were mentioned. Her home was always welcoming—filled with warmth, laughter, and the comfort of cherished traditions she lovingly upheld.

In retirement, Saundra delighted in being a devoted “fur mom” to her schnauzer-doodle, Cali, and treasured time spent with family and friends. She enjoyed traveling, participating in church activities, and being actively involved in the Beefmaster Breeder Association alongside her husband, Elton. She will be remembered for her gentle strength, generous heart, and the quiet yet lasting impact she made on all who knew her.

Saundra is survived by her husband, Elton Lieke; her children, Brian Lieke, Cymantha Plant (Carl), and Eric Lieke (Shannon); her grandchildren, Kyle Plant (wife Kelsey), Kolby Plant (wife Ashley), Kolton Plant (fiancé Sarah Colle), William Lieke, Gayton Lieke, and Emma Rose Lieke; and her great-grandsons, Cayden and Graycen Plant. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Sally Welkener; her brother, Billy Welkener; and her nephew, Bradley Welkener.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by funeral services on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy. Interment will follow at Pawnee Cemetery.

Saundra’s legacy lives on through her family, her former students, and the countless lives she touched with compassion, grace, and love.

Pallbearers: Kyle Plant, Kolby Plant, Kolton Plant, William Lieke, Gayton Lieke, Emma Rose Lieke, and Norman Kuenstler.

Honorary Pallbearers: Cayden Plant, Graycen Plant, Keith Overby, Wayne Wernli, Freddie Franke, Mitch Hale

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Pawnee Methodist Church, Pawnee Cemetery Association, or Hope Hospice of New Braunfels.

Delia Arenas Staten

June 24, 1947 – December 22, 2025

Delia Arenas Staten, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, entered the Kingdom of Heaven on December 22, 2025, in Victoria, Texas, after a courageous three-year battle with cancer, surrounded by the ones she loved. She was 78 years old.  Born on June 24, 1947, in Kenedy, Texas, Delia was the cherished daughter of the late Nieves and Guadalupe Arenas. She was a proud graduate of Kenedy High School, Class of 1965, and went on to attend the Kenedy Vocational School of Nursing in 1966, where she graduated at the top of her class, answering an early calling to care for others.  Delia began her nursing career at DeTar Hospital, where she gained invaluable experience before continuing her lifelong service to the community. In 1969, she joined Citizens Memorial Hospital—now known as Citizens Medical Center—where she spent the majority of her career as a dedicated ICU nurse. She officially retired in 2014, though those who knew her best would say she only retired on paper—never in her heart or mind. Nursing was not just her profession, but her calling, and she served with skill, grace, and a calm presence that brought comfort to countless patients and families.  Even after retirement, Delia’s desire to care for others never faded. She volunteered her time and heart with Hospice of South Texas, continuing to serve patients and families with compassion and dignity. In recognition of her selfless service, she was honored with the Volunteer of the Year award—an achievement that reflected her lifelong commitment to helping others.  Above all else, Delia’s greatest joy was her family. She was a loving and devoted mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend whose love was steady, fierce, and unconditional. Her grandsons were the absolute lights of her life, and she cherished every moment spent with them.  Delia was preceded in death by her parents, Nieves and Guadalupe Arenas; her sister, Irene Arenas; and other beloved family members who passed before her.  She is survived by her daughter, DeAnna Loveless, and her husband, Lance, and her beloved grandsons, Gunnar and Max, all of Austin; her partner of 25 years, Ronnie Acosta, who lovingly took the best care of her until the very end; her sister, Evangelina Villafranca, and her husband, Ray, of Seguin; her sister, Gloria Garza, and her husband, Paul, of Kenedy; as well as many cherished nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends who will miss her deeply.

Services will be held on Saturday, January 17. A Rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m., with Mass immediately following, both at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 605 Karnes Street, Kenedy, Texas. Interment will follow immediately at Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Hospice of South Texas for the compassion, care, and support they provided to Delia and her loved ones.  Delia will be remembered for her resilience, her generosity of spirit, and the quiet strength with which she lived her life. Her legacy lives on through the family she loved so deeply and the countless lives she touched through her years of compassionate service.  She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

SHERA BETH HORNE

September 26, 1938 – December 16, 2025

It is with extreme sadness that we must announce the passing of Shera Beth Horne (Ellison) on December 16, 2025.  She battled dementia long and hard, which was caused by several mini-strokes almost 10 years prior.  She was born in her grandmother’s house in the tiny town of Kenedy, TX on September 26, 1938, and grew up there, which is where she met her future husband, Samuel Cosby Horne. They married in 1956, and raised 3 beautiful, caring children. Sam was transferred to many South Texas towns with Halliburton Oil Company, even having a few years in Great Yarmouth, Great Britain.  This allowed Shera to tour many European countries and learn about the world outside of her farmland upbringing. They were able to finally settle down in Pleasanton, Tx when Sam was made manager.  Shera was a devout Baptist and would attend church wherever she lived throughout her life.  She was an avid sewer and opened The Cloth Cottage in Pleasanton, selling fabric and making custom garments for her customers.  Once her children were grown, she went to college and completed her Bachelors’ Degree in Home Economics, then took specific courses so she could become an elementary special education teacher.  She taught for 12 years and absolutely loved her students, always making them personal items as gifts for Christmas.

Shera had many hobbies, including collecting thimbles and baby spoons wherever her travels took her.  She loved Angels, and had many showcased throughout her house, along with a large curio full of special ones displayed.  She loved to read, work puzzle books, and picture puzzles, but she also had quite the talent for designing residential plans and interior design.  She drew up every house that she and Sam built, the layout and sizes of the rooms, where she wanted the outlets to be, down to the built-in cabinets.  Shera would then create the look of each room, choose the paint colors, and sew the curtains, bedspreads, pillow shams, and even re-cover the dining room and living room chairs herself, to create a pleasant, cohesive home environment.  Sam & Shera’s last home was built on Medina Lake in Bandera, TX, where they lived out 20 glorious years.

Shera shared a special bond with her youngest daughter, Shawn, talking to her every Sunday no matter where they were.  They spent vacations together, and attended many concerts, arts & craft shows, plays, and romps in the river.  Shawn moved in with her parents for the last three years of their life, to make sure they received the best possible care and affection.

Shera was preceded in death by her husband Samuel Cosby Horne, daughter Sheran Marla Nixon (Horne), grandson Brendan Nixon, and mother Marjorie Overby Ellison Knight. She is survived by her son Samuel Keith Horne, daughter Shawn Beth Horne, grandson Nathan Nixon, granddaughter Brittany Nixon, grandson Christopher Horne, sister Patsy Lange, and brother Gayle Knight.

Shera was a caring and compassionate soul, always elegant, but humble, treating everyone with kindness. She will be sorely missed. She was her family’s angel on earth and now is watching over them with glowing wings.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 10, 2025, at 11:00am at Eckols Funeral Home, 420 West Liveoak Street. Kenedy TX 78119. 830-583-2533. Afterwards, Shera will be laid to rest next to her husband, Samuel, at Kenedy Cemetery.