Frank Felix Krisch, a longtime resident of Kenedy, Texas, passed away, Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at University Hospital in San Antonio, from complications following a tractor accident, at the age of 88 years, 8 months and 14 days.

Frank was born August 18, 1923, in Hobson, Texas the son of Felix F. Krisch and Sophie Opiela Krisch. He was a retired Veteran of the United States Air Force having served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. After a life in the service, Frank went to work for Ashland in Kenedy. Frank was a farmer and rancher. Frank was also a director of the Escondido water shed.

On June 11, 1946, Frank married Valerie Tam Krisch. Frank and Valerie were married for over 58 years, and raised four sons. Valerie preceded Frank in death on May 2, 2005.

Mr. Krisch is preceded in death by his beloved wife; his parents Felix and Sophie Krisch; his brother and sister; two granddaughters and one great-granddaughter. He is survived by his four sons, Garry Krisch and wife Cindy, Richard Krisch and wife Sharon, Donald Krisch and David Krisch; his grandchildren, Valerie Griffin and husband Patrick, Stefan Krisch and wife Roxanne, Jennifer Krisch, Miranda Arnold and husband Brendan, April Davidson and husband Jason, Kimberly Miller and husband Billy, Kelly Field and husband Cody, Sarah Hamilton and husband Brad, Sydney Van Meter and husband Chris and Ben Krisch; 15 great-grandchildren; his sister, Helen Kueller and husband Willard; his sister-in-law, Lorraine Maley; his faithful companions, Ken and Kelsey; numerous special family members and a host of friends.

A rosary was recited, 7:00 P.M., Sunday, May 6, 2012, in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral mass was celebrated, Monday, May 7, 2012 at 10:00 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, with Rev. Norbert Herman, officiating. Interment followed in the Kenedy Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Austin Griffin, Terry Tam, Paul Maley, Mark Maley, Pat Tam, Stefan Krisch and Ben Krisch.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.

Carol Berniece Harris, entered into the gates of Heaven, Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at the age of 69 years, 8 months and 19 days.

Carol was born August 6, 1942 in Mercedes, Texas, the daughter of Leo Dell Williamson and Agnes Raybourn Williamson. After graduating high school, Carol went on to Sam Houston State University where she obtained her degree in teaching. Teaching children was Carol’s passion and she did so for 20 years in the Kenedy and Pawnee area. After her retirement, Carol was very active in the Texas Retired Teachers Association and Gideon’s International.

On June 17, 1961, Carol married her beloved husband John Ray Harris in Port Lavaca, Texas. In 2011, John and Carol celebrated 50 wonderful years of marriage. The two of them were blessed and together they shared their faith and were active members in the Tuleta First Baptist Church. A bible verse that Carol held very close to her heart was Romans 10:13; “For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Carol is survived by her beloved husband, John Ray Harris; her sons, John Quentin Harris and wife Martha of La Vernia and Gerard Barton Harris and wife Geniene of Tuleta; her father, Leo Dell Williamson of Tuleta; her brother, Gary Williamson and wife Catherine of Sealy; and her precious grandchildren, Stephanie, Jake, Danielle and Seth Harris. Mrs. Harris is preceded in death by her mother.

Visitation was held, Sunday, April 29, 2012 from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M., in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas. Funeral services were held 11:00 A.M., Monday, April 30, 2012 at the First Baptist Church Kenedy, with Rev Jack Allen, Rev. Vernon Andrews and Rev. David Silva, officiating. Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery with Dr. Franklin Atkinson, officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be, Scott Noah, Chandler Williamson, Duane Merrill, Lynn Broadway, Gene Early, Seth Harris and Jake Harris.

Lela Ruth Riggs Hollman, a longtime resident of Kenedy, Texas, passed away, Monday, April 23, 2012 in her home at the age of 93 years, 3 months and 4 days.

Ruth was born on January 19, 1919, in Nopal, Texas the daughter of William Patrick Riggs and Johnie Terry Riggs. She was a World War II Veteran having served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps. Ruth went on to teach for the Kenedy Independent School District. She was a member of OES, Delta Kappa Gama, The Red Hat Society and numerous other organizations and clubs.

On November 2, 1944, Ruth married, Henry Albert “Boy” Hollman in Casper, Wyoming. Henry preceded Ruth in death on July 6, 1992.

Ruth is survived by her sons; William Albert Hollman and wife Janet of Houston, Texas and John Hollman of Inez, Texas; her daughter-in-law, Marilyn and Alton Williams of Luling, Texas; her grandchildren, Henry Wade Hollman and wife Angie, Wendy Yanta and husband Brian, Billy Don Hollman and Robert Hollman and her great-grandchildren, Bailey, Riley, Colby Hollman, Brooke, Abby Yanta and Lacey Hollman. Mrs. Hollman is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son, Pat Hollman; her sister, Janice Bergstrom and her great-grandson, Lance Yanta.

Visitation was held from 6:00-8:00 P.M., Thursday, April 26, 2012 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel in Kenedy, Texas. Funeral services were at 11:00 A.M., Friday, April 27, 2012 in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. John Wheat officiating. Interment followed in the Kenedy Cemetery with Wade Hollman, Bobby Hollman, Billy Don Hollman, Alton Williams, Brian Yanta, Bailey Hollman and Riley Hollman, serving as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully asks that donations be made to the First Baptist Church Kenedy or the South Texas Children Home or to the charity of donor’s choice.

Lowell Willmouth Hunt, a resident of Victoria, Texas passed away at 1:13 A.M., Monday, April 16, 2011, at the Refugio Nursing and Rehab Center in Refugio, Texas at the age of 86 years, 6 months and 18 days.

Lowell was born on September 29, 1925, the son of Ben Franklin Hunt and Ollie Brinkly Hunt. He was a proud veteran of World War II, having serving in the United States Marines. On February 7, 1946, Lowell married the love of his life, Marie Denney. Together the two of them raised Cathy and Lowell Richard Hunt.

Lowell is preceded in death by his beloved wife; his parents; his son; his brothers, Frank, Veron and Orin Hunt; and his sisters, Totsie Dittfourth and Lois Harpin. Mr. Hunt is survived by his daughter, Cathy Martin and husband Ronnie of Victoria; and his grandchildren, Richard, Ronnie Gene, Danielle, Elizabeth, Jerry Don and Tommy. He is also survived by his 12 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service was held on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 1:00 P.M., at the Choate Cemetery in Choate, Texas. Officiating was Ray Remmers.

Edna Anmaline Gustafson Coward, a longtime resident of Pleasanton, Texas, passed away on Thursday, April 5, 2012, in Pflugerville, Texas at 2:14 A.M., at the age of 85 years, 8 months and 15 days.

She was born in Kenedy, Texas on July 21, 1925 to Arthur and Lillie Gustafson. She was baptized at the Elim Lutheran Church on September 21, 1925 and confirmed in the very same church on September 24, 1938, by Pastor Gustaf Bergman.

Edna attended school in Cadillac, Texas and graduated from Pawnee High School on May 21, 1942. Shortly after graduating high school, she went to work for Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. She worked as a parts chaser for one short week and then was put into office work and worked until June 26, 1970, when she retired at the age of 45.

She met Bill Coward at Kelly Air Force Base and they were married on August 15, 1943. They were married for 52 ½ years when Bill passed away on February 10, 1996. The two of them retired at the same time; Bill having served 33 years and Edna, 28 years.

After Edna and Bill’s retirement, they took a trip to Alaska to visit Bill’s brother. Edna and Bill both had pick-up trucks and travel trailers and they made the trip together down the Alcan Highway to Alaska. That trip was an experience that Edna never forgot. They stayed for three months as Bill and his brother, Buster worked on airplanes together. This time allowed Edna to cook and make sure the men where well fed.

When they made it back from their trip to Alaska, Bill and Edna traded in their travel trailer for a 20 foot Winnebago Motor Home. They later joined the Alamo Winnebago Club and the Texas Winnebago Club and traveled and made lots of new friends.   

In 1979, they traded for yet another new Winnebago and got a 29 foot one; they stayed with club until October 1988, when they sold their Winnebago and quit traveling as Bill began to have leg problems.

Edna is survived by her step-daughter, June Brandon and husband Hubert of Corpus Christi, Texas; her nieces, Priscilla Hicks and husband Ray of Austin, Texas and Kathy Grisham and husband Jim of Jarrell, Texas; her step-grandchildren, Scharee McGregor, Ernest Shelton and Dawn Verlander; her 7 step-great-grandchildren, 6 step-great-great-grandchildren; and her 8 great and great-great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Bill Coward; and her brother, Vernon Gustafson.

Visitation was held from 2:00 – 5:00 P.M., Friday, April 6, 2012, in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 11:30 A.M., at Elim Lutheran Church in Kenedy, Texas, officiated by, Dr. Robert K. Blomstedt. Interment followed in the Elim Lutheran Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Elim Lutheran Cemetery.

Gwendolyn “Gwen” Hudson Evans, a resident of Kerrville, Texas for the last 13 years, passed away in the North Central Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 75 years and 4 months.

Gwen was born on December 1, 1936 in Clay Hill, Alabama the daughter of Dozier Hudson and Margaret Elizabeth Wilkinson Hudson.

Gwen is survived by her children, Vada LeSueur of Phoneix, Arizona and Joe Evans and wife Paula of Granbury, Texas; her grandchildren, Von LeSueur, Jarred Evans and Shawn Evans and wife Elaine; her great-grandchildren, Coral, Myles and Audrey Evans; her sisters, Meredean Shockome and husband Tom and Faye Baker; her aunt Dorothy Perkins; her brother-in-laws, Roy Brown and Malcolm Hannes. She is preceded in death by her parents; and her sisters, Carolyn Hannes and Gail Brown; her niece, Sherry Hannes Collins and her nephews, Tommy Shockome, II and Anders Shockome.

A graveside service, officiated by Rev. David Collins, was held on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 in the New Bremen Cemetery, near Karnes City, Texas. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers were her grandsons, nephews and nieces.

Maria Elva Villarreal Gonzales of Coy City, Texas, passed
away on Thursday, March 29, 2012 in the Karnes City Health and Rehab Center at 6:30 P.M., at the age of 94 years, 3 months and 5 days.

She was born December 24, 1917 in Elsa, Texas, the
daughter of Pedro Villarreal and Elvira Velasquez Villarreal. She was a
homemaker and attended St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Karnes City.

She is survived by her daughters, Elvira Cruz and husband
Joe, Elena Rocha and husband Lupe and Santos Rodriguez; her sons, Pedro
Gonzales, Sr., and wife Mary, Carlos Gonzales and wife Lynette, Rosendo
Gonzales and Gregorio Gonzales and wife Sulema; 43 grandchildren; 90
great-grandchildren; and1 great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gregorio G. Gonzales; her 2
daughters; 2 sons; 2 sisters; and 3 brothers.

A rosary was recited at 7:00 P.M., Sunday, April 1, 2012 at Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral mass was celebrated 10 A.M., Monday, April 2, 2012 at St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Karnes City with Rev. Stanislaw Marciniak officiating. Burial followed in the Nell Cemetery, near Pawnee, Texas. Serving as pallbearers were, Gregorio Gonzales, III, Rolando Reyna, Tyler Flores, Dolores Rodriguez, Jr., Benny Gonzales, Jr., Billy Rocha, Sammy Gonzales and Daniel Ray Gonzales. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers were Joe Cruz, Jr., Lupe Rocha, Jr., Manuel Rocha, Amado Cruz and Arturo Cruz.

Gabriela Recio Guevara, a resident of Kenedy, Texas, passed away, Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 3:15 A.M., in the John Paul II Nursing Center at the age of 96 years, 5 months and 19 days.

Gabriela was born October 3, 1915, in Falfurrias, Texas the daughter of Roman and Nostara Luevano Recio.

Gabriela is survived by her daughters, Carmelita Guevara of Kenedy and Alicia Munoz of Temple; her 6 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Ms. Guevara is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jose Maria Guevara; her daughter, Maria Josefina Guevara; and her sons, Manuel, Ramon, and Bruno Guevara.

A rosary was recited on Friday, March 23, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. A Mass of Resurrection was celebrated at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Rev. Norbert Herman officiating. Interment followed in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Kenedy, Texas.

 John H. Poldreck, passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2012, in Weesatche, Texas, at the age of 91.

John was born in Bee County, to James and Lena Roehr Poldreck. John proudly served his country in the United States Army where he served during World War II, from 1942 through 1945; 9 of those months were spent in combat. John was part of the 38^th Division where they were known as the “Avengers of Batan”. He was also a “Browning Automatic Riffle (BAR) Gunner” having fought in New Guinea, the Southern Philippines Island Campaign, Layte, Samar, Batan (Zig Zag Pass) and Luzon. Mr. Poldreck was very proud of his accomplishments and decorations and medals that he received. On November 17, 1968, John married Ramona Villanueva at the Pawnee Café.

John is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Ramona V. Poldreck; his sons, Lee Roy Poldreck and John Poldreck and wife Linda; his sister Ruth Pittman; and his 2 loving grandchildren. Marlena “Lana” Poldreck and Jordan Poldreck. Mr. Poldreck is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Walter, Edwin, John, Alex, Benny, Ernest and Louie Poldreck.

Graveside services were in the Weesatche Cemetery, Weesatche, Texas, on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 10:00 A.M.

Presiliano “Pres” Salinas, Sr., a lifelong resident of Kenedy, Texas, went to be with the Lord on, Saturday, March 17, 2012, in Karnes City, Texas, at the age of 85 years, 2 months and 13 days.

Pres was born in Charco, Texas on January 4, 1927 to Antonio and Anita Salinas. After proudly serving in the United States Army, Pres married Rosie Ramirez on April 20 1955. Together they owned and operated Rosie’s Flower Shop; but their biggest joy was raising their children.

Pres is survived by his loving wife of over 55 years, Rosie Salinas; his sons, Ray Rossett and wife Martha of Kenedy, Norman Salinas and wife Gennie of Corpus Christi, Pres Salinas, Jr., and wife Diane of Helotes and Seferino Salinas of Killeen; his brothers, Tillie Salinas and wife Minnie of San Antonio, Aquiliano Salinas and wife Rafela and Dan Mejia and wife Natalia, both of Kenedy; and his beautiful 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Pres is also survived by a very dear niece, whom he and Rosie considered more as a daughter, JoAnn Bennett. Mr. Salinas proceeded in death by his parents; his brother, Seferino Salinas; and his sister Antonia Mindieta.

The family received friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, March 20, 2012 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. in the Eckols Chapel with Rev. Walter Hill, III officiating. Interment followed in the Loma Alta Cemetery with Aaron Rossett, Seferino Salinas, Jr., Sam Salinas, Ryan Salinas, Stephen Salinas and Joe Altamirano, serving as pallbearers.