In Loving Memory of Frances Garcia Saenz

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Frances Garcia Saenz, who left us on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Frances was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She touched the lives of many with her kindness, generosity, and unwavering love.  Born on September 16, 1941, Frances grew up and graduated high school in Kenedy, Texas and later moved to San Antonio, Texas, where she spent most of her life and obtained an associate’s degree from San Antonio Community College. She was known for her commitment to her Husband, Esmeraldo, with whom she was married for over 58 years, raised a family and grew a business in the education field with him. Her dedication to her family and church was evident to all who knew her.  Frances is survived by her sons and their spouses, Robert & Debra and Leonard & Erin, and her grandchildren, Logan, Rudy, Macie, Lucia, Lauren, Roman, and Cody, her sister Elena Garcia De La Garza and nieces and nephews. She will be remembered for her unending love that she expressed to her family and friends. She had a loving soul and was always willing to listen and help in any way she could. Her smile and laugh were contagious and brought much joy into this world.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, followed by the Rosary Service, and will be held at Eckols Funeral Home, 420 West Live Oak Street, Kenedy, Texas. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Our Lady Queen of Peace church in Kenedy, Texas, 605 Karnes Street. Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) in honor of Frances Garcia Saenz.

Special thanks to the love and support Frances received from Inspiration Hospice and her friends at New Forest Haven.

Frances will be deeply missed, but her legacy of love and compassion will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her.

Isidro F. Alaniz, Age 85, of Kenedy, TX formerly of Tyler, TX passed away on March 29, 2025 in San Antonio, TX surrounded by his loving family.  Isidro was born on May 15, 1939 in Nell, TX to Cecilia Flores and was raised by grandparents Ricardo B. and Angelita Maria Flores who all precede him in death.  He worked for Century Geophysical as a driller and retired as a Log Seismic graph supervisor after 50 years of service, was a member of The Knights of Columbus and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tyler, TX and was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather who will be dearly missed.  Isidro is preceded in death by his mother, Cecilia Flores; grandparents, Ricardo B. and Angelita Maria Flores, former spouse, Emma De La Garza Alaniz and a son Cecil Alaniz.  Isidro is survived by children, Michelle Alaniz of Kenedy, Sandra Villanueva and husband Domingo of Kenedy, Larry Diaz and wife Linda of Karnes City, Rudy Diaz and Sylvia Flores of Hebbronville. He is also survived by his grandchildren Larry L. Diaz of San Antonio, Derek Villanueva (Cheryl) of Corpus Christi, Jillian Quintanilla of San Antonio, Jeremy Villanueva (Shawna) of Floresville, Jenna Dziuk (Kory) of Falls City, Megan Rahmes (Lawrence) of Austin and 12 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Thursday April 3, 2025 from 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  A Holy Rosary will be recited at 9:30 A.M with Funeral Mass Celebrated at 10:00 A.M at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy, TX with Rev. Robert Ploch officiating.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.  Serving as Pallbearers will be Domingo Villanueva, Derek Villanueva, Jeremy Villanueva, Lawrence Rhames, Rudy Diaz and Dwayne Villanueva

Martin Frank Rossett, Age 78, entered into eternal rest on Monday, February 17, 2025.  He was born on October 8, 1946 in Runge, TX to the Late Ysidro and Sara DeLeon Rossett.   Martin was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle.  He was a culinary artist and pastry chef in various restaurants.  He worked several years offshore as a chef and loved to fish on his down time on the ship.  He would bring back the best fish that he caught to Kenedy and we all enjoyed the best meals.  Martin would make the best rolls, cinnamon rolls, and pies, to name a few, for the family when the family got together.  His artistry could not be compared or duplicated even though we tried.  Martin is preceded in death by his parents, his son Martin John Rossett, his sister Mary Rossett Rodriguez, and brother Larry Rossett.  Martin is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth Rossett Mojica, Eula Rossett Ngiraingas; son, Martin David Rossett Guerra; his brothers, Isidro (Stormy) Rossett (Josie), Ray Rossett (Martha); brother-in-law Amador Rodriguez; sister-in-law Alicia Rossett; 9 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 8AM to 9AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.   A Holy Rosary will be recited Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 9:30 AM with Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Rev. Robert Ploch officiating.  Inurnment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Virgina Lopez Fanning, Age 63 of Kenedy, TX passed away on March 19, 2025 surrounded by her loving family in San Antonio, TX.  Virginia was born on October 22, 1961 in Kenedy to the late Ponciano and Angelita Rossett Lopez.  She was a loving Mother, Sister, Aunt, member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church and a friend to many in the Kenedy community who will be deeply missed.  Virginia is preceded in death by her parents Ponciano and Angelita Rossett Lopez; sister, Janie Lopez Hernandez; brother, Charlie Lopez and grandson, Nolan Ray Fanning.  Virginia is survived by her son, Raymond Erwin Fanning and wife Ann Marie of Kingsville; sisters, Martha Lopez Richardson of Kenedy, Rose Lopez Elizondo of Kenedy; brother, Johnnie Lopez, Sr. of Kenedy and many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family members. Visitation will be held Friday, March 28, 2025 from 8AM to 9AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.

A Holy Rosary will be recited Friday, March 28, 2025 at 9:30AM with Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Rev. Robert Ploch officiating.  Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers will be: Johnnie Lopez, Sr., Joe Hernandez, Jr., Johnnie Lopez, Jr., James Lopez, Bradley Johnson and Johnnie Ramirez, III.

Paulette Shelton, born on April 30, 1957, in Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away peacefully, in the early morning hours of March 18, 2025 leaving behind a legacy of love, dedication, and strength.  Paulette grew up in Texas and graduated from Deer Park High School in 1975 before beginning a lifelong career in public service. She worked in accounting for the Houston Fire Department until her family relocated to Galveston in 1984. In Galveston, she became an integral part of the Gulf Coast Center MHMR, serving as the head of transportation. Her passion for helping others led her to a distinguished career with the State of Texas working for Fort Bend County in Sugarland, where she ultimately rose to a leadership role in the transportation department. Paulette retired in 2019 after years of dedication, leaving an enduring impact on her colleagues and the community she served.  Beyond her professional achievements, Paulette was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Joseph Isaiah Maxted, as well as her sister, Jan Shelton, and brother, Paul Shelton and her parents Albert Joseph and Eunice Gertrude Grunenwald Shelton. She is survived by her children, Karey Elaine Maxted and Luke Wayne Shelton; her cherished grandchildren, Blake and Chase Pipkin, Matthew and Tyler Reed, and Adonai, Zion, and Kai’i Shelton, Marayah, Daelan, and Sabrena Thomson, and her precious great-grandchildren, Harley Sulser, Olivia Pipkin, Athena Faye Reed and McKinley Valdez. Paulette was the loving daughter of Albert Joseph Shelton and Eunice Gertrude Grunenwald Shelton. She also leaves behind her special friend, Norma, whose companionship brought her great joy.

Paulette found joy in the simple things—living by the water, embracing nature, and sharing her famous Indian fry bread with family and friends. She loved the country and she loved people. Her love for country music led her to her love of dance halls which she frequented any time she could even by horseback. If the doors were open at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo you would usually find her there. She loved road trips and traveling and was eager always to plan her next adventure. Her kindness, wisdom, and love will forever be remembered by those who knew her.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for their compassionate care during Paulette’s final days.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Paulette’s honor on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Eckols Funeral Home, 420 West Live Oak Street, Kenedy, Texas 78119. Visitation and slideshow will begin at 1pm.  Interment will folow in the Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy,TX.

She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Samuel Cosby Horne, a cherished family man, husband, father and grandpa, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2025. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Sam grew up in Kenedy along with his two sisters, Frances and Elizabeth, and his two brothers, Robert and Homer. His family faithfully attended the Assembly of God Church, and he was baptized at an early age.

He had various jobs during his youth including dishwasher in a café, delivery driver for a dry cleaner, and helping his Dad with farming. During the summers of his high school years, he worked on oil rigs around South Texas.

He graduated from Kenedy High School, and was soon employed with Southeastern Drilling Company for 2 years, then Halliburton Company for 36 years, beginning in Robstown, TX. He was transferred several times, moving first to Freer, then Alice, and spent two years in England working mostly in the North Sea. He was often sent to other countries, including Scotland, Africa, Norway, and Saudi Arabia before returning to Falfurrias, TX.

Later, he moved his family to Pleasanton where the children were all able to graduate from the same high school. He was manager of the Carrizo Springs office, then was sent back to Pleasanton to work in sales at the San Antonio office. Upon retiring, he was finally able to play as much golf as he wanted. The lights of his life were his three children, and later, his precious grandchildren. He spent many happy hours boating and skiing with them on Medina Lake where he and his wife, Shera, spent their retirement years.

Services will be held at the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel on March 21st at 11am with Pastor Jeremy Pritchett officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery.

Hortencia Lomas Faris, Age 66 of Kenedy, TX passed away on March 12, 2025 in San Antonio, TX with her loving family by her side.  Hortencia was born on May 18, 1958 in San Antonio to the late Jesus and Hortencia Lomas.  She married Henry C. Farias, Sr. who preceded her in death, was a housekeeper for creative solutions, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, daughter and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.  Hortencia is preceded in death by her parents, Jesus and Hortencia Lomas, husband Henry C. Farias, Sr., sisters, Lala Lomas and Lupe Alvardo.  Hortencia is survived by her loving children, Lisa Urrutia of Kenedy, Cynthia Molina and husband Santos of Kenedy; son, Henry Farias, Jr. of Kenedy; sisters Norma  Lomas of San Antonio, Lupe Alvarado of Kenedy; brothers, Ramiro Lomas of San Antonio, Jesse Lomas of San Antonio, Mike Lomas of San Antonio, Rudy Lomas of San Antonio 11 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Family Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 18 2025 from 1PM to 7PM with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7PM by Rev. Robert Ploch in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  A Private Inurnment will take place at a later date.

Pete “Capiro” Cantu, Age 84 of Kenedy, passed away March 10, 2025 in Floresville, TX surrounded by his loving family.  Pete “Capiro” was born on February 24, 1941 to the late Polo and Petra Pena Cantu in Kenedy, TX.  Pete is reunited with his son Freddy Cantu, daughter, Mary Jane Cantu Ibarra, brothers, Ernest Pena, Sr., Robert Cantu and David Cantu.  He is survived by his wife Stella Garcia, 2 daughters Bernice Reyes and Romelda Cantu, 1 son Peter Cantu, 9 bonus children Judy, Connie, Marcel, Charlene, Mary, Eddie, Cindy, Amy, David, 13 siblings Polo Cantu, Lupe Cantu, Richard Cantu, Renee Cantu, Conrado Cantu, Ruben Cantu, Arturo Cantu, Sylvia Cantu Garcia, Lydia Cantu Sauceda, Barbara Cantu Carpenter along with many beautiful grandchildren, great-grandchildren who loved him dearly.  Pete was known to the community as Capiro, El Cap, Cappy, Deddy, Popo and Grandpa Pete.  He leaves behind a legacy as an amazing cook at Barth’s Restaurant  for over 50 years.  Capiro enjoyed spending time with his family, gambling, traveling, watching Gunsmoke, listening to Elvis and cheering on the 49ers with a smile that was unforgettable.  He is loved and will be keenly missed by many.

Family Visitation will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 9AM to 1PM with Services at 1PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Joseph Castillo officiating.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Freddy Pena, Joel Ibarra, Gilbert Ibarra, Joseph Villarreal, Darian Pena, Fabian Pena and Noah Leyva.

Nestara Perez Patel, Age 73 of Richmond, TX passed away on March 8, 2025.  Nestara was born on September 26, 1951 in Runge, TX to the late Adolfo, Sr. and Audelia Martinez Perez.  She married Girish Patel on September 24, 1977 in Hondo, TX; retired as a school teacher for Lamar Consolidated High School, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and of the Catholic Faith.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Adolfo, Sr. and Audelia Martinez Perez and a daughter, Sara Anita Patel.  She is survived by her loving husband, Girish Patel of Richmond; brother, Dinesh Patel Pennsylvania; grandson, Parker Pacey of Richmond; siblings, Jesse Perez of Karnes City, Adolfo Perez, Jr. of San Antonio, Mike Perez of Kenedy, Irma Perez of Kenedy and numerous nieces nephews and extended family members.  A Holy Rosary will be recited Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Robert Ploch officiating.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers will be family and friends.