He walked with the Duke through the dusty saloon; a man of the West, born a century too soon. With a finger of steel and a heart full of grit, he lived by the code where the old heroes sit. The walls of his room bore the iron and steel — a collection of history, heavy and real. He polished the bluing; he cherished the weight and watched every showdown that tempted his fate. In the glow of the screen where the wagons would roll, those classic old movies spoke deep to his soul. With John Wayne out front, riding steady and tall, Mark found peace in the frontier’s call.

Now the trail has grown quiet, the campfire burned low, and Mark has ridden where the best sunset glows. The collection is still, but his memory stays bright — a true gentle soul who has walked into the night.

Mark Edward Melvin passed away peacefully in his home on June 20, 2026. Mark was born October 1, 1959, to the late Lee and Mary Elizabeth (Hyatt) Melvin of Gillette, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Lee Melvin Jr.; his sister, Mary Melvin Williams; and his longtime partner, San Juanita Vela Rencurel.

Mark was a graduate of Coastal Bend College, earning a degree in Mechanics. He brought patience, skill, and heart to everything he touched. He worked at O’Reilly’s in Kenedy, Texas, for a time and spent many years at Superior Automotive, where his hands built a lifetime of honest work. After retiring, he settled into a peaceful life in Tuleta, Texas.

He lived a simple life, but a full life— with motorcycles that carried him toward the open road, old Westerns that reminded him of the values he held close, and a gun collection he cared for with the same devotion he showed his family.

Mark is survived by his sisters Jacqueline Melvin (Lynn) Broadway of Bastrop, Texas; Janie Melvin Reiley of Panna Maria, Texas; and Betty Melvin (Jesse) Montez of Tuleta, Texas. He leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, as well as several great- and great-great-nieces and nephews who adored him.

To his family, Mark was more than a brother or an uncle — he was a gentle soul, a steady presence, and a man whose quiet kindness left a lasting mark on every life he touched. His memory will remain bright, carried forward in the stories told, the laughter remembered, and the love he gave so freely. Mark will forever be missed and forever loved by all who knew him.

A celebration of Mark’s life will be announced at a later date and will be held in Harmony Texas, where family and friends will gather to honor his memory.

Joy Nowlin age 95, passed away on June 8, 2026 at her home in Kenedy, Texas.

Born on December 12, 1930, in Cranfills Gap, Texas, Joy was the 4^th of the 5 Children of Ambrose Oglesby (1900-1958) and Emma Jane Oglesby (1900-1995).  The Oglesby family moved often and eventually made their home in Lubbock, Texas, where joy graduated from Lubbock High School.

After 2 years at Texas Tech University, Joy married and started a family, raising 3 children in San Antonio, Texas.  She returned to college in 1967 earning a BA and MA in speech Pathology and Communication Disorders in 1971 from Our Lady of the Lake University. She worked in the Judson ISD and then for Region 20 “Child Find” project while also earning her Ed.D. in educational Psychology from Bringham Young University in 1981. She went on to teach classes at Sul Ross State University in Uvalde, to work as a speech pathologist for the special education co-op in Uvalde and an educational diagnostician for the Gainesville State School and the Corsicana Residential Treatment Center, and to teach classes at Texas Woman’s University in Denton.  She retired from full-time employment in 1994 and moved to Kenedy, Texas where she remained professionally active in part time positions with TDCJ and Pettus ISD, retiring fully in 2008.

She is survived by her children Patricia White Hyde (Ronald) of Kenedy, Jack Anthony White, Jr. (Yvonne) of Allen, and Judith White Biedrzycki (Robert-deceased) of San Antonio; 7 grandchildren, Amanda Hyde Conine (Adam), Emily Hyde, Robert Moore Biedrzycki, Caitlyn Biedrzycki Klein (Kristen), Benjamin Kyle Biedrzycki, Vanessa White Kostroun (Josh), and Adam Spencer White; and 6 grandchildren, Caroline Conine, Eloise Conine, Camilla Conine, Camryn Klein, Reese Klein, and Emma Kostroun.

Joy was a member of First Baptist Church of Kenedy and served as a greeter at the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio for several years after her retirement.  She enjoyed line-dancing and browsing in local thrift stores.  She was an encourager and placed a great value on education, and although she never required it, she lived to see each of her children and grandchildren earn college degrees.

During the Last Decade of her Life, joy needed the help of caregivers.  We are so grateful for the wonderful care she received in her final days from Mary Lou Gonzales and Cookie Garcia, and from Di’Anna Bocanegra who has worked with her for the past 10 years and was able to be with her at the end.  These ladies along with the staff of New Century Hospice enabled Joy to experience her best quality of life in her final days.

Visitation with the family is scheduled for Friday, June 19, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Eckols Funeral Home.  A Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 am.

In Loving Memory of Teresa Pena

Teresa Pena, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Born in Colorado City, Texas, Teresa lived a life filled with kindness, laughter, and devotion to those she loved most. Teresa was known for her warm heart, friendly spirit, and wonderful sense of humor. She had a special gift for making others smile and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Her kindness touched the lives of everyone who knew her, and her presence brought comfort and joy to family and friends alike.  She enjoyed spending her time working on puzzles, watching her favorite novelas, and most of all, creating cherished memories with her family. Family was the center of Teresa’s world, and she found her greatest happiness in the love and companionship of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.  Teresa leaves behind her beloved husband, Adolio Pena; her loving daughters, Yvonne Fernandez, Cecilia Gutierrez, and Rochelle Paiz; her cherished grandchildren, Brisa Marquez, Edgar Marquez, Erik Marquez, Adolio Garcia, Sebastean Garcia, Jacquline Garcia, Zachary Garcia, Camron Garcia, Jaiden Wislar, Jose Gutierrez, Jiovani Gutierrez, Yareli Gutierrez, Yatzari Gutierrez, Julissa Pena, Mikaela Herrera, Ivan Herrera, Nyellie Jacques, and Isaiah Jacques; her treasured great-grandson, Nathanael Garcia; and her loving sisters, Felipa Salas, Carmen Garcia, Anna Guzman, and Patsy Garcia.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrea Garcia and Cecilio Garcia; and her siblings, Joe Garcia, Manuel Garcia, Cecilio Garcia Jr., Apollonia Garcia, Maria Elena Garcia, and Pete Garcia. Though her passing leaves a tremendous void, Teresa’s legacy of love, laughter, and compassion will continue to live on through the many lives she touched. Her family and friends will forever remember her beautiful smile, generous heart, and the countless joyful moments they shared with her.

Family and friends are invited to honor and celebrate Teresa’s life. An immediate family viewing will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. A public viewing will follow at 12:00 p.m. at Eckols Funeral Home, 420 West Live Oak Street, Kenedy, Texas 78119.Burial services will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Loma Alta Cemetery, 100 County Road 329, Kenedy, Texas 78119.

Teresa will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. Her love, laughter, and gentle spirit will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. May she rest in eternal peace, and may her memory continue to be a blessing for generations to come.

Olivia Irma Ortiz, 85, of Runge, Texas, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born on April 13, 1941, in Runge to the late Jose and Viviana Garces Villanueva, Irma lived a life rooted in faith, family, service, and community. On November 15, 1958 she married, Miguel “Mike” Ortiz, in Ropesville, Texas. Together they built a life of hard work and devotion to their family. Irma retired from Levelland ISD as a teacher, where she was deeply committed to her students and was recognized with state awards for recruiting. Her heart for service extended beyond the classroom, and she proudly served as City Commissioner of Runge from 2003 to 2007. Irma will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a faithful member of Calvary Family Praise Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Viviana Garces Villanueva; her husband, Miguel “Mike” Ortiz; and her brothers, Alejandro Villanueva, Joe Villanueva, Jr., and Armando Villanueva.

Irma is survived by her loving children, Susan (Mike) Jackson of Round Rock, Texas, Cynthia (Philip) Gonzales of Katy, Texas, and Mike Ortiz of Runge, Texas; her grandchildren, Andrew (Christina) Ramirez of Cypress, Texas, Yvette Ramirez (Jordan Boren) of Taylor, Texas, Vanessa (Michael) Ziegler of San Antonio, Texas, Rhealeigh (Dustin) Shaffer of Lubbock, Texas, Jaclyn (Alex) Beach of League City, Texas, Jessica (Taylor) Cooper of Katy, Texas, Michael Allen (Kaylea) Ortiz of Lubbock, Texas, Erin (Todd) Peters of Mabank, Texas, Patrick (Tina) Jackson of Minnesota, and Samantha Jackson of Round Rock, Texas; her great-grandchildren, Jaxon Boren, Davin Shaffer, Kennedy Shaffer, Liam Jackson, Brielle Jackson, Mason Ramirez, Evelyn Beach, Dax Cooper, Mia Ramirez, Leland Beach, Sky Cooper, Vivian Boren, Zoanna Ziegler, and Saige Ortiz; as well as her brothers, Reymundo Villanueva and Mark (Becky) Villanueva, both of Runge, Texas, her sister, Sylvia Cater of Mississippi, her sister-in-law, Terry Villanueva of Victoria, Texas, along with many extended family members and friends.

Irma’s greatest legacy was the love she shared with her family. Her kindness, strength, and unwavering devotion will continue to live on through all those who knew and loved her. Though she will be deeply missed, her memory will forever remain in the hearts of her family and friends. Those we love never truly leave us. They live on in the memories we cherish, the lessons they taught us, and the love they gave us throughout our lives.

Funeral Services will be held on July 3, 2026, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Calvary Family Praise Church, 323 E. Live Oak St., Kenedy, Texas 78119.