CORTEZ, Alfredo “Fel” S., Sr., age 74, of Kenedy, TX, passed away Monday, January 22, 2024.  Alfredo was a self-employed business owner, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.  He was generous to many and a friend to everyone.  He enjoyed outings with his wife, gatherings with his family and working on projects around his home.  He is preceded in death by his parents Carlos Cortez, Sr. and Estella Salinas Cortez, and his siblings; Maria Louisa Cortez, Maria Alicia Cortez, Eduviles “Vic” Cortez and Oscar Cortez.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years Rosa Cortez, son Alfredo Cortez, Jr. (Mariel), daughters Alice Dennis (Michael) and Amanda Martin (Joshua), grandson Tyler Dennis, granddaughters Amber Martin, Ashley Martin, Taylor Cortez, and Bella Cortez, brother Carlos Cortez, Jr. (Maria Elena), sister Gloria Cortez.  Private funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

Clyde Stewart Eckols, Jr., 61 of Corpus Christi passed away February 10, 2024 after a lengthy illness.  Stewart was born to Clyde “Sonny” and Dorisann Gross Eckols in San Antonio, Texas and grew up in Kenedy.  He graduated from Kenedy High School in 1981.

Before graduation he was working at Velvet Dip and playing bass for Country Sound Recording Studio.  He then worked for Chevron Resources before moving to Missouri where he played for the Tommy Kelley Organization.

Stewart joined the Army in 1990 and he was stationed for expended periods in England.  After his experience in the Army Rangers, he began working in the private sector of the military, until his retirement when he returned to his hometown.

Stewart took great pleasure in picking up his bass and playing for the last year with the out to Pasture Band at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his children, Alexandra (Justin) Blaze and Trey, on granddaughter, his mother, his sister Sunny (Jerry) Pruski, his brother Steve (Frances) Eckols and Betsy Fullerton Eckols and numerous nephews, nieces, and great nephews and nieces.

Graveside services will be held Monday, February 19, 2024 at the Kenedy Cemetery at 2:00 PM with Rev. Wally Schievelbein officiating.

Isidro E. Amaya, Sr., Age 73 of Kenedy, TX passed away on February 4, 2024 in San Antonio surrounded by his loving family. Isidro was born on July 14, 1950 in Runge, TX to the late Juan, Sr. and Angelita Escobedo Amaya.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, a retired farmer of the catholic faith and a jack of all trades.

He is preceded in death by his parents Jaun, Sr. and Angelita Escobedo Amaya.

He is survived by his loving wife San Juanita DeLeon Amaya of 47 years of Kenedy; daughters, Sona Hernandez of Kenedy, Mikaela  Nofchessey of San Antonio, Isabel Zapata of Victoria, Raquella Amaya of Kenedy, Rebecca Amaya of Kenedy; sons, Benito Amaya of Kenedy, Erasmo Amaya of Falfurrias, Esteban Amaya of Kenedy, Isidro Amaya, Jr. of San Antonio; sisters, Maria Amaya Inez of Floresville, Petra Ramirez of Runge; brothers, Juan Amaya, Jr. of Kenedy, David Amaya of Kenedy, Martin Amaya of Kenedy, 31 grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and dear friends.

Family Visitation will be held Thursday, February 15, 2024 from 1PM to 7PM with a Prayer Service to begin at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Private Inurnment will take place at a later date.

Geronimo Gonzales, Jr., died Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at the age of 65.

He was born on March 17, 1958 to the late

Geronimo Gonzales Sr. and Maria Gonzales.

Jerry was a wonderful son, brother and

uncle.

Jerry is preceded in death by his father and sister, Lisa.

He leaves behind his mother, sister Grace and many, many family members whom he loved dearly.

A rosary prayer service will be recited on Friday, February 16, at 9:30 am at Our Lady of Peace Church, in Kenedy with Mass following at 10:00 am.

Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Kenedy.

Lois Norene Baker, 92, of Kenedy, Texas, passed away on January 27, 2024.  She was born in Karnes County, near Overby, Texas, on July 10, 1931, to Jake Raymond and Lorene Gorman Rice.  She was called Loisene by her family and friends.  

Loisene attended Nell, Choate, and Kenedy schools, graduating in 1948.    She met Jay E. Baker at Baker’s store in the Choate community, and they started dating after she graduated from high school.

Loisene was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for over 30 years, starting as a switchboard operator and retiring as a plant assignor,    

She married Jay E. Baker on Veterans Day, November 11,1950, just before he joined the U.S. Army and deployed to Korea during the Korean War. When Jay E. returned, they settled in Choate, working in Baker’s Store and on their farm.  Later, they moved to Farmington, New Mexico, where they started a family and then returned home to Texas.  They had two sons, Jay Collie and Joe E., during their 73-year marriage.

 Loisene and Jay E. operated a cattle ranch in Dripping Springs for many years. After retirement, they moved back to Kenedy and operated a cattle ranch in Choate for over 30 years, and they shared their love of the ranch with their family and grandchildren.  Grandmommy, as she was known to her grandchildren, was an amazing homemaker and cook.  She was known for her hot chocolate, divinity, fudge, biscuits and gravy and other specialties that she and Grandaddy made often.  Grandmommy was loving, generous, and quick to help others, as well as dedicated and supportive.  She dearly loved her family and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow.

Loisene is preceded in death by her parents, Jake and Lorene Rice, and brothers, Lloyd Raymond (Oleta and Angela) Rice, Jake William (Pat) Rice and Charles Gorman (Cecilia) Rice.

Loisene is survived by her husband, Jay E. Baker, sons Jay Collie (Denise) Baker and Joe E. (Pamela) Baker, grandchildren Jason (Eleanor) Baker, Jennifer (Marlon) Fowler, William (Hayleigh) Baker, Molly Baker, Andrew Baker and Ada Baker, and great grandchildren Helen Baker, Kaleb Fowler, Collie Baker and Kori Fowler.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 9, 6-8 pm at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy, Texas. Funeral services will be on Saturday, February 10, 10 am at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy, with interment following at Choate Cemetery in Choate, Texas.

Brother Terry Smith will officiate. Pallbearers will be Jason Baker, William Baker, Marlon Fowler, Thomas Jimerson, David Morgan and Gary Morgan.

Donations can be made to Choate Baptist Cemetery Trust, PO Box 56, Kenedy, TX 78119.

Gene Allen Wheeler, 76, died Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Family Visitation will be held Sunday, February 11, 2024 from 5PM to 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, 420 West Liveoak Street, Kenedy, TX 78119. Services will be Monday, February 12, 2024 at 10AM at The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 590 West State Hwy 72, Kenedy, TX 78119 with the Rev. Walter Schievelbein officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Pawnee Cemetery.

Gene was born on July 17, 1947, in San Angelo, TX, the son of Charles M. Wheeler and Lena L. Musgrove Wheeler. He spent most of his childhood in San Angelo, moving to Dallas as a young teenager and graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School. He was always busy and enjoyed racing motorcycles in his teen years.

“Wheeler”, as he was referred to by friends, served his country during the Vietnam War by enlisting in the US Navy. He completed electrical school while in the Navy. He served for four years, earning an honorable discharge. After discharge he began his career as a telephone lineman with Southwestern Bell Telephone.  He worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for over 25 years.

Gene loved hunting, farming, animals, and boating. He loved participating in boat races on Town Lake in Austin during his early adult years. He was a friend to all and enjoyed his time with those he held dear. Most recently he was enjoying his retirement tending to the cows and hay fields on the family farm in Kenedy with his wife Jamie.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jimmy Wheeler. Survivors include his wife, Jamie Wheeler of Kenedy; Son Ryan Jenschke of Fredericksburg; four daughters, Kelsey Jenschke of Buda, Codie Prinz of Salado, Brodi Volek of Round Rock, and Jodi Shannon of Buda; 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; one sister, Trish Hutto of San Antonio.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ryan Jenschke, Nathan Pickell, Ronnie Dee Lieke, David Randig, Robert Hutto, Bryan Hutto, Troy Clark and Tommy Prinz. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Norman Johnson and Linda Wheeler.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations go to the University Health Transplant Institute, 4502 Medical Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229.

Velma Hrametz

1937 – 2024

Velma Samsel Fenner Hrametz, devout Christian, loving wife, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away January 12, 2024 at the age of 86.

She was born on March 11, 1937 in Kenedy Texas to Alfred O. Samsel and Angela Reiley Samsel.  She belonged to St Paul’s Lutheran Church where she was baptized, confirmed and married.

Velma was later a member of Immanuel Lutheran in Alice, Texas and at Peace Lutheran in Rosenberg, Texas.   Her craft of making homemade soap had her labeled as “Soap Lady” at the local banks and churches where she shared her homemade gifts.  She was also a Certified Graphologist in handwriting analysis and a gifted reflexologist.  Her love and talent of china painting left us all with classic pieces of her painted collections.  The Astro’s especially Altuve #27 was another favorite of hers.  Baseball season will not be the same without her dedication to them. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her first husband Franklin Fritz Fenner and her only son, Clayton L Fenner.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory is her husband of 48 years, Andrew Hrametz of Rosenberg, Texas, her daughters, Rhonda Davis (Brian) and Gaynell Franki ( Greg ), 5 grandchildren, Ashley Landers (Cory), Cassandra Herschbach-Quast (Jeremy), Kristen Franki (Christian), Franchesca Franki, Braeden Terry (Kristen ) and GG to Aubrey, Maiah, Casen, Charlie, Tristan, Mikaela and Kinsley.

A memorial service will be held on January 26,2024 at Peace Lutheran Church

Rosenberg, Texas @ 11:00 am. under the direction of Pastor Sandi.   Graveside services will be held at the Kenedy Cemetery, Kenedy, Texas at 11:00 am on January 27, 2024 under the direction of Eckols Funeral Home, Kenedy, Texas

In leu of flowers, please consider a contribution to her church.

Peace Lutheran Church

1026 Old Radio Lane

Rosenberg, Texas 77471

281-342-8800

Thomas E. Dybowski passed into the loving arms of Jesus Christ on the 20^th of January 2024.  There will be a graveside ceremony at 1PM on January 27^th at the family gravesite in Kenedy, TX in the Kenedy Cemetery.  Tom requested no flowers.  He stated he would like donation if you desire to go to the American Heart Association. 

He was born August 13,1950 in Kenedy, Texas to Frank Otto and Ruby Ellen Dybowski.  After graduation in 1968 from Kenedy High School, he attended Texas A&M Kingsville graduating with a BA Accounting degree and became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).  He started his career working for Touche Ross in Corpus Christi and moved on to Mobile/Exxon for two years and then became a business owner of Balloon Events for ten years.  He later worked in Public Accounting for a regional firm in Houston, TX.  He, then moved to San Antonio, Texas working for Methodist Hospital as an Accounting Director for 16 years.  He retired in 2020.

Tom is survived by his two loving sisters, Dee Ann Dybowski and Debra Dybowski-Todd (husband, Ray). Three nieces, three nephews-in-laws and four great nephews, Tiffany Risinger-Roberts (husband, Ken and son, Dylan); Katy Risinger-Ferguson (husband, Patrick and son, Logan), Brittany Risinger-Helbon (husband, Mordechai and sons, Zacharia and Ezekiel).

Tom loved his family and friends very much.  He was a talented conversationist.  He saw the humor in people and experiences and was to laugh a lot.  He loves Jesus and was raised to worship the Lord and pray.

Helen M. Anderson passed away on Monday, January 22, 2024 at the Spring Healthcare in Cedar Park, TX at the age of 85.  Helen was born on January 9, 1939 in Zunkerville, TX of the Eleven Children to the late Oscar and Edith Anderson.

Helen is survived by one son, Timothy Anderson and his wife Connie Anderson of Georgetown, TX, two grandsons, Ashtyn Anderson of Leander and Corbyn Anderson of Georgetown, one sister Addie Mae Waddles of Whitney, TX and several nieces and nephews. 

Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Edith Anderson, 5 sisters and 4 brothers.

Graveside Services are pending at this time.

Daniel Ray Koerth, Age 68 of Whitsett, TX passed away Tuesday, January 16, 2024 in Lake Charles, LA. after suffering a massive stroke. Daniel was born on July 16, 1955 in Karnes City, TX to the late Marlin Fred Koerth and Nettie Ruth Cornelius.  Daniel retired as a Ranch Foreman from the Malek Ranch in Whitsett, TX after 32 years, was a loving son, brother, cousin, friend and of the Lutheran Faith.

Daniel is preceded in death by his parents, Marlin Fred Koerth and Nettie Ruth Cornelius and a brother Marlin Dale Koerth.

Daniel is survived by his sister, Ruth Ann Brower and husband Rye of Firth, ID; brother, Lloyd Duane Koerth of Whitsett, TX and a host of family members and dear friends.

Daniel was a 1973 graduate of Alice High School. He was a member of the NHS. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor degree in animal science. After retiring from his ranch manager position he spent the next four years helping to care for our mother. The last two months Momma was with us Danny was there most of the time taking care of her personal and medical needs. Danny was an avid hunter and fisherman, loved spending time with his cattle and raising and selling breeding bulls. He also loved to occasionally take gambling trips. He enjoyed family get togethers and all the visiting, food and fun.

Visitation will be held Sunday, January 21, 2024 from 4PM to 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Services will be Monday, January 22, 2024 at 10AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Mrs. Mary Jackson officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy.

Serving as Pallbearers: Craig Doreck, Lance Pullin, Mack Taplin, Ray Koerth, Terry Woods and Steve Kotzur.

Honorary Pallbearers: Harry Kuentsler and Mike Windmeyer.