Ramiro Ramirez, former resident of McAllen, Texas, died in Austin on June 2^nd, 2018. Ramiro was a loving son and husband, a proud father, a hardworking colleague, and a giving servant of God in his community. He was 77.Ramiro was born in Pawnee, Texas on July 18, 1940 to Rogelio and Gregoria. The oldest of six siblings, he graduated from Pawnee High School in 1959, where he lettered in football, track and tennis. He married Eva De Luna in 1961 and joined Shell Oil shortly thereafter. His career took him to McAllen, where he earned a reputation for flawless work ethic, safety, and the nickname “Mr.Clean”. He retired after 30 years of proud service in 1998. His diligence enabled  his wife and three children to obtain college degrees and careers of their own. Ramiro and his wife were active members of Our Lady of Sorrow Catholic Community for 31 years and volunteered at the Star of Hope Food Pantry. His ample faith was manifest in his decency and rectitude; Ramiro never met a stranger. He is survived by his wife Eva(De Luna), his sons Rene (Toya) in Lake Jackson, Ronnie (amy) in Dallas, and his daughter Roxanna (Ruben Cavazos) in Austin. His grandchildren Ashley, Rhiannon, Ryan, Randall, Amy, Alexandra, Clara, and Sophia will carry his legacy now that he has come home at last to Pawnee. Visitation was held from 4 to 9p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00p.m. Tuesday,  June 5^th, at Eckols Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, June 6^th, at 10:00a.m.at our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Kenedy, Texas with interment in Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery, Pawnee, Texas.

Ashley Raven Altamirano, born on October 28, 1986 in Kenedy, Texas to James and Amy Altamirano passed away on June 10, 2018 at the age of 31. Ashley is survived by her father, James Altamirano; her mother and step father, Amy Lisa Dominguez (Victor) Flores; her daughters, Autumn Rain Rodriguez and Alexia Raylir Vigil; her sister, Alexandria Altamirano; her brothers, Christopher Michael Villarreal, Victor Flores Jr., Randy Flores, James Bryan Hernandez; grandparents and other relatives. Visitation  Hours: Monday, 9 to 9PM with a Rosary at 7PM at Eckols Chapel. Funeral Services: Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 2:00p.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with Rev. Marek Sobotta officiating.  Interment in Runge Cemetery. Pallbearers: Christopher Villarreal, Victor Flores Jr., Randy Flores, Alfred Amaya Jr., Roland Carrasco, Eugene Villanueva, Jr., James Bryan Hernandez, Bryan Leal, Adrian Villanueva. Honorary Pallbearers: James Altamirano, Ernest Altamirano, Christopher Michael Villarreal, Marcus Dunn, Allen Cardaway Jr., Derrick James DeLaGarza, Alberto Cruz, and Victor Flores Sr.

Antonio Ramon Salas, born on August 9, 1943 in Runge, Texas to Ismael Salas Sr. and Manuela Sanchez Salas passed away on Friday, June 22, 2018 at the age of 74. Mr. Salas was preceded in death by his siblings, Samuel Salas,Sr., Ismael Salas Jr., Refugio Salas, Jesusita Salas, and Consuelo Salas. He is survived by his daughters: Ramona D.(Tony) Serna, of Karnes City, TX, Anita DeLuna, of Runge, TX, Agatha DeLuna, of Runge, TX, Janice DeLuna, of Runge, TX and Jasper (Margie) DeLuna, of Karnes City, TX; 19 Grandchildren and one on the way; his sisters Guadalupe Salas, Felicita Vasquez, Stella Rodriguez, and Minerva Prieto; and other relatives. Visitation was held on Monday, June 25, 2018 from 12:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. with a Rosary recited at 7:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at 11:00a.m. at Eckols Chapel with interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Pallbearers: Tony Serna, Frank Solis, Gilbert Perez, Jon Asebedo, Jacob Asebedo and Elias Asebedo.

Sue Bernice Vaughn Robbins, 74, of Victoria, TX passed away peacefully on July 2, 2018. She was born near Kenedy,TX on March 25, 1944 to the late Emmitt L. Vaughn and Laura Wessels Vaughn.  She graduated from Kenedy High School in 1962.  She also graduated from Southwest Texas State University at San Marcos, TX in 1966 with a BA in Mathematics.  After college she worked in Civil Service for the Army at the Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, Alabama and the Corpus Christi Army Depot.  She married Leroy Robbins on July 23, 1977 in Corpus Christi, TX.  They later moved to Beeville, TX where they both taught at Coastal Bend College.  Sue continued her education and received a Masters Degree in Art. She enjoyed doing crafts including painting, ceramics, pottery, quilting, and baking, and her favorite, crocheting..  Sue and Leroy later moved onto her family farm south of Kenedy.  Leroy passed away on January 8, 2008.  When Sue realized that she could no longer maintain her home in the country, she moved to Copperfield Village in Victoria, TX on July 8. 2013.  She loved the independent living lifestyle with her crafts, good food and the gated community.  Sue attended Lighthouse Free Will Baptist Church, and Pastor John Hancock and his wife visited her often.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband Leroy Robbins, her parents, sisters: Marjorie Walston and Doris Humphries, and step-son: Gary Robbins.  Sue is survived by her sister, Ruby Wommack of Kingsville, TX, and brothers, Jerl Vaughn(Pat) of Victoria TX, and Lloyd Vaughn(Sharon) of Beeville, TX,  stepson, Don Robbins of Corpus Christi, TX, and stepdaughter, Linda Harshman of Portland, OR, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation is from 11:30 to 1:30 on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy, TX.  The funeral service will follow at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Dale Wommack officiating.  Burial at Kenedy Cemetery.

A special thanks to Dr. Richard Leggett and his staff who attended to Sue’s medical needs, and to the Hospice of South Texas for their wonderful care given to Sue this past year, and also to the Hospice of South Texas Dornburg Center of Compassion inpatient care facility.

Betty Jean Brown, Age 89 of Kenedy, TX passed away Sunday, May 20, 2018 in Karnes City, TX. Betty was born on April 7, 1929 in Ingram, TX to the late Howard and Pearl Furr Sammons.  She married Cecil Brown in 1948 in Kenedy, TX.  She was a member of Kenedy First Baptist Church, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother.

She is preceded in death by her husband Cecil E. Brown; parents, Howard and Pearl Furr Sammons.

She is survived by her daughters; Marianna Martin  and husband John of Midland, Billie Ann Brown of Kenedy, Kathy Gorzell and Lester of Gorzell of Falls City; Sons, Allen Brown and wife Lynn of Kenedy, Morris Brown and wife Melody of Kenedy, Larry Brown and wife Jamie of Kenedy, 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren,  and 14 great-great-grandchildren.

Family Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 22, 2018 from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Services will be Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at 2:00P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel  with  Interment to  follow in the Kenedy Cemetery, Kenedy, TX.

Pallbearers will be Alex Gorzell, Andrew Gorzell, Glenn Praesal, Jeffrey Creswell, Dusty Brown, Stephen Creswell, Bryan Martin, and Shawn Brown.

Memorials may be made to the South Texas Children’s Home or the San Antonio Pets Alive and the Karnes County Humane Organization.

Auscencio “Chencho” Villanueva, Age 76 of Karnes City, TX passed away on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at home surrounded by his loving family. Auscencio was born on December 18, 1941 in Kenedy, TX to the late Francisco, Sr. and Galdina Perales Villanueva.  He was a loving father, grandfather; great-grandfather; a retired welder who enjoyed carpentry, being outdoors, always keeping everything in order, spending time with family and friends and was of the Catholic Faith. Auscencio served his country proudly in the United States Army under President Dwight D. Eisenhower and President John F. Kenedy in West Germany during the Russian Berlin Wall Crisis and the Russian Cuban Missile Crisis from 1960 to 1963.  He was awarded the Expert Infantry Badge while serving with “A” Company 2^nd Armored Rifle Battalion 36^th Infantry, 3^rd Armored Divison-Spearhead.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Francisco, Sr. and Galdina Perales Villanueva; sisters, Virginia Rios, Julia Silva and Tila Perales; brothers, Dionicio Villanueva, Francisco Villanueva, Jr., Roberto Villanueva, Candelaria Villanueva, and Vicente Villanueva.  He is survived by his daughters, Cynthia Ann Leal and husband Rick of Round Rock, TX, Sandra DeLaGarza of Kenedy, TX, Doris Fay Morales and husband Marcos of Kenedy, TX; sisters, Angie Hamm of Norman, OK, Maria Elena Cortez of Kenedy, TX; brothers, Abel Villanueva of Kenedy, TX, Jesus Villanueva of Kenedy, TX, Servando Villanueva of Garden City, KS; grandchildren, Ciara Castello, Victoria DeLaGarza, Scott Morales, Lauren Cooper, Anissa DeLaGarza, Dhalston Cage, Devin Alaniz, Mereyah Cage, Michael DeLaGarza, Melissa Ortiz; 10 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.  The Family will receive friends Tues. July 3, 2018 from 2PM to 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7PM also in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wed. July 4, 2018 at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Marek Sabotta officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.  Serving as Pallbearers will be Scott Morales, Dhalston Cage, Rick Leal, Michael DeLaGarza, Raymon Villarreal, and Angel Castello.  Honorary Pallbearers are Marcos Morales and Davey Villanueva.

Tony M. Toledo MD, a San Antonio resident for 53 years passed on May 16, 2018. He was born on September 21, 1939 to Polly Reid Toledo and Anthony Arnau Toledo in Miami, Florida. He is preceded in death by his parents and young son Clark Anthony Toledo.

Tony graduated from Miami High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the choir, a champion baseball and football player and was nominated to the Miami HS Football Hall of Fame. He received an undergraduate degree from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida and then attended Medical School at Tulane University in New Orleans, La. After medical school he did a 4 year residency at Brook Army Medical Center in Internal Medicine. At the completion, he was assigned to a tour in Viet Nam at the 91^st Evacuation Hospital from 1970-1971. Upon return to BAMC, he held the position of Chief of Medicine.

In 1971 Tony entered private practice in Internal Medicine and practiced for 35 years at the Nix Hospital and the Methodist Metropolitan Hospital. Tony was an avid fisherman, spending many weekends at Port Aransas either gulf fishing in his boat the “Green Water” or bay fishing. When not fishing Tony enjoyed equine events with his wife and daughters. One year, he was president of the San Antonio Saddle Horse Association.

Upon his retirement at age 66, he wanted to be a rancher, live in the country, take care of his wife’s horses and raise Angus cattle. He moved to his ranch, the Double T in Panna Maria, Texas and with the help of Allan Mattke, Marvin Witte and family, Bil Homeyer and  family, Brent Porter and family, so many new neighbors, Mark Brysch and family, Alvin Pieprzyca and family, Andy Reeves and family, the members of the United Methodist Church of Karnes City and many other friends (a whole village}, he was successful in this endeavor. Tony enjoyed keeping the Double T in a beautiful and pristine condition and the ranch was greatly enjoyed by his wife, especially as a home for her horses.  All his family and many friends greatly enjoyed visiting the ranch.

Tony was a team leader in many “Walks to Emmaus” and was involved weekly in the Kairos Prison Ministry. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Karnes City, gave the lithurgy occasionally, occasionally was asked to stand in for Pastor Sue Huntsman to give the Sunday service, and taught Sunday Bible School for many years. Tony was on the Board of Directors for the Karnes County Healing Hearts Ministry and participated weekly in prayer at the hospital. Pastor Sue Huntsman was very special to Tony as a pastor and a dear friend.

Tony is survived by his wife Linda Cecile Lewis Toledo, daughters Katherine Rainey Starch and husband David Starch MD, from New Braunfels, and Blair Toledo Vasquez and husband Eduardo Vasquez from San Antonio, former wife, mother of Katherine and Blair, and good friend, Sandra Rainey Toledo from San Antonio, Texas. Grandchildren are Peighton Rainey Starch, Coleman David Starch, Presley Hope Starch and Vienna Katherine Vasquez. He is loved and survived by many brothers and sisters-in-law and their children: Tom and Paula Schneidner, daughter Brooke Spencer, husband Loren and their five children, all of San Antonio, Bradford Ward Lewis, wife Elizabeth and son Bryan Jeffrey Lewis of Phoenix, Ariz., Michael Duane Lewis and Linda of Tyler, Texas, Maria Christina Karlis, husband Craig  of Hopkinton Mass. , daughter Meghan Kelly and Justin of Austin, and son Michael Anthony of Washington D.C. , Kimberly Susan Lewis of Fort Worth, Texas, and long time adopted family Allen. Karen, Allison of LaVernia, Texas. Tony dearly loved his family and they so loved him in return. He impacted their life and had a special personalized influence on all.

Tony is sadly missed by his rescue dogs, Barney, Sadie, Lady, Izzie, Tiki, his rescue cats who initiated and welcomed him into the world of kitten love, his wife’s horses who whinnied /spoke to him vigorously at feeding time, and his cows who always came when called.

A very special thanks to the 911 operator, the Floresville Highway Patrol, the Wilson County EMS, and especially ALL the emergency room staff at Connelly Memorial Hospital, they all tried so very, very hard.

A very special thanks to Pastor Sue Huntsman and Karen Mattke who came so quickly to the ER when called.

Instead of flowers, Tony would want donations in his memory to be made to the building fund for the United Methodist Church of Karnes City or the Karnes County Healing Hearts Ministry.

Visitation will be Sunday, May 20, 2018 from 2:00P.M. to 4:00P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Funeral Services at 4:00P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Sue Huntsman officiating. Graveside Services will be held Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 9:00A.M. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with US Army Honors in San Antonio, TX

Francisco “Frank” C. Trevino, of Kenedy, TX was born on October 12, 1935 to Pablo and Juanita Castellano Trevino passed away peacefully on Monday, May 14, 2018 in San Antonio surrounded by family at the age of 82. Mr. Trevino married Elvia Albiar on June 23, 1964 and was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. He worked for Entex Gas Company for 30 years as a Heavy Equipment Operator. Frank was an avid cowboys fan, loved to bbq, a lover of food and will always be remembered for his good sense of humor and laugh.  He is preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, one brother and one grandson, Jaxon Edwards. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elvia; daughter, Gloria Trevino, son Frank (Judy) Trevino Jr., of Kenedy, TX; daughter, Rose (Ronnie) Edwards of Nordheim, TX; grandson, Frank Trevino III and granddaughter, Sophia Lynn Trevino of Kenedy, TX; 3 sisters; 2 brothers; and numerous family members. Visitation Thursday, May  17, 2018 from 1:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel. Departure from funeral home Friday, May 18, 2018 at 1:30p.m. for a 2:00p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with interment to follow in Loma Alta Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Pallbearers: Ruben Munoz, Daniel Fuentes, Marcel Cueller, Alex Ryes, Jaime Albiar, Gable Tovar, Fernando Albiar, David Amaya, Jr.

Elfida Garcia Arenas, of Kenedy, TX born on September 27, 1928 in Yorktown, TX to Gonzalo and Cecilia Figueroa passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at the age of 89. Elfida was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Angell of Kenedy, TX; her grandchildren, Anthony D. (Laura) Serenil, of Kenedy, TX, Kristine Serenil, of Kenedy, TX and Dylan Angell, San Antonio, TX; 8 great grandchildren; sister, Elida (Manuel)Servantes, of Port Lavaca, TX; numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives. Visitation Friday, Apil 6, 2018 from 4:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel. Departure from funeral home Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 9:00a.m. for a 9:30a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating. Interment to follow in Loma Alta Cemetery. Pallbearers: Dylan Angell, Anthony Serenil, Ronnie Martinez, Christopher Arenas, Eloy Cisneros and Justin Pedroza, George Arenas and Robert Gonzales