Milton E. Slaughter, Sr., joined hands with the Lord on October 8, 2012, to complete his journey of sharing. He dedicated a lifetime to serving without seeking benefit; giving to all without questioning the need; teaching life lessons for the joy of knowledge; and adopting the children of Runge, providing the love of a man with a heart full of compassion.

Milton is survived by his wife of 16 years, Sandra Osburn Slaughter, of Runge. The couple married on October 5, 1996, in Runge, Texas. Milton was also blessed with a family of three sons, Milton Slaughter, Jr., and wife Rox, Russell Osburn and Janie and Michael Slaughter and Diana; and two daughters, Shari Slaughter Janak and Roxanne Webb and husband Rick. Milton is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Sheila Noake and husband Brett, Shanna Wadsworth and husband Josh, Chelsea Slaughter, Brent Janak and Jeanette, Aaron Slaughter, Bekah Webb, Riley Webb and Ashton Slaughter. He also knew the love of six great grandsons: Zachary Janak, Evan and Logan Starling, Will, Gus and Hud Wadsworth.

Milton was born on March 21, 1937, in Kenedy, to Josie Puckett Slaughter and Elvin Marion Slaughter. He graduated from Kenedy High School in 1955, where he was President of his Senior Class, a member of NHS, and voted Mr. Kenedy High. On July 13, 1957, he married June C. Kramer. The couple remained married for 38 years until her death on September 6, 1995. Milton Slaughter knew the value of a strong work ethic. He worked in his parents’ dry cleaning business as a child, at Johnson’s Flowers and The Kenedy Compress as a teenager, and for Alcoa as a young man. He retired after a 33-year career with Union Carbide, his final employment as a Shift Department Head. In his retirement, Milton learned the pleasures of real work, as he returned to his roots in Karnes County with Sandra in 1996, and began farming and ranching. Milton is survived by a sister, Peggy Graham, a brother, Billy and wife Mildred and a sister-in-law, Billie Jean Slaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Joe Slaughter and a brother-in-law, Wallace Graham. 

Visitation was held from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., Thursday, October 11, 2012 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas. Funeral services began at 10:00 A.M., Friday, October 12. 2012, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jon Waller officitating. Burial wifollowed at Memorial Park Cemetery, Victoria, Texas. Pallbearers included; Billy Butler, Floyd Brasher, Bob Alexander, Ted Deming, Jacky Lott, Leon Srubar, Russell Osburn and Hector Mendoza.

 Just as Milton gave in life, so did he remember to continue that gift beyond. He donated his corneas for two others to have the gift of sight. Donations of remembrance may be made to the Runge First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 488, Runge, TX 78151; Pulmonary Fibrosis Association of Texas, 1525 Lakewood Drive, #101, Kingwood, TX 77339, or to the charity of choice.

Herlinda Hernandez Alvear, resident of Kenedy, Texas, entered eternal rest Sunday, October 7, 2012, at 2:45 P.M., at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 61 years, 5 months and 9 days.

Herlinda was born April 28, 1951, in Goliad, Texas, the daughter of Manuel Hernandez and Josefina Rodriguez Hernandez. On July 15, 1968, Herlinda married Frank Alvear in Kenedy, Texas. The two began their life and raised 3 daughters. Herlinda was a devoted housewife and also worked as a C.N.A. at the John Paul II Nursing Home in Kenedy, Texas. Herlinda was of the Catholic faith.

Herlinda is survived by her daughters, Kelly Ann Alvear and Stefanie Alvear both of Stockdale, Texas; her brothers, Isidro Hernandez of Ross, Texas and Fernando Hernandez of Harker Heights, Texas; her sisters, Feliciana Janssen of Kenedy, Carmen Salas of Nolanville, Texas, Dominga Hernandez of Kenedy, Texas, Guadalupe Reyna of Nolanville, Texas, Angie De Los Santos of Ross, Texas and Esperanza Alvear of Kenedy, Texas; and her 3 beloved grandchildren. Ms. Alvear is preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Linda Lou Alvear; her brother, Manuel Hernandez; and her sisters, Irma Hernandez and Felipa Hernandez.

A rosary was, Wednesday, October 10, 2012 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel at 7:00 P.M. Funeral mass was celebrated at 9:30 A.M., Thursday, October 11, 2012, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, with Rev. Norbert Herman officiating. Interment followed in the Loma Alta Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were, Julian Esquivel, Fernando Hernandez, Jr., Henry Janssen, Fidencio Vera, Aurelio Torres and Jessie Hernandez.

Angelita Velasquez, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, Thursday, September 27, 2012, at 9:10 A.M., in the John Paul II Nursing Home in Kenedy, Texas, at the age of 94 years, 4 months and 1 day.

Angelita was born May 26, 1918, in Pawnee, Texas, the daughter of Jose G. Gonzales and Martha Saenz Gonzales. She married Ramon Velasquez and was devoted housewife. Angelita’s beloved husband, Ramon, preceded her in death on July 18, 1983.

Angelita is survived by her daughters, Josie Ramon, San Juanita Arenas and Maria Perez all of Kenedy, Texas; her sons, Ruben Velasquez of Kenedy, Texas, Raul Velasquez of Pawnee, Texas and Ramiero Velasquez of Kenedy, Texas; her sister, Amelia Escamilla of Falls City, Texas; her brothers, Jesus Gonzales and Lauro Gonzales both of Pawnee, Texas; and her 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Ms. Velasquez is preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Eugenio and Pablo Gonzales.

Visitation was held Sunday, September 30, 2012, and a rosary was recited at 7:00 P.M., Sunday, in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas. Funeral mass was celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Monday, October 1, 2012, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy, with Rev. Norbert Herman officiating. Interment followed in the De Ntra Sra De Guadalupe Cemetery in Pawnee, Texas. Serving as pallbearers were Gilbert Perez, Mario Perez, Jon Garcia, Eduardo Sifuentez and Domingo Perez, Jr.

Barbara Anne Brown Bowling, a longtime resident of Pawnee, Texas, went to be with the Lord, Thursday, September 27, 2012, at 1:47 A.M., in the Karnes City Health and Rehab Center at the age of 74 years, 8 months and 30 days.

Barbara was born December 28, 1937, in Charleston, South Carolina, the daughter of John S. Moseley and Lillian Brown Moseley. She moved to Texas in the late 1950’s and lived in Hebbronville, Austin, Lubbock, Midland, Dallas, Portland, Corpus Christi, Mathis and Pawnee. Barbara married M.A. “PeeWee” Bowling in 1979 in Corpus Christi, Texas. She worked as a registered nurse. After retiring from the nursing field she and her husband moved out to their ranch in Pawnee. She loved animals and helped her husband raise cattle, goats, donkeys, birds, and dogs. Barbara was an avid Texas Longhorn fan. She was always well-guarded by her favorite min pin ‘Ferocious’.

Barbara Anne was preceded in death by her parents John Sparkman ‘Sparky’ and Lillian Moseley. She is survived by her loving husband Marshall “Pee Wee” Bowling; her sons, Sonny Hinojosa, John Hinojosa and Rick Hinojosa; her daughters, Anne Marie McMenomy and Veronica Hinojosa; and her step-children, Becky Bluntzer and husband Ricky, Marshall Dale Bowling and Steven Arnold Bowling. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation was held Friday, September 28, 2012, from 5:00-7:00 P.M., in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas. Funeral services were held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, September 29, 2012, in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ken Norton officiating. Interment followed in the Robstown Memorial Park Cemetery, Robstown, Texas. Serving as pallbearers were Rick Bluntzer, Shay Bluntzer, Chester Bullard, Chad Ryan, Bobby McMenomy and Eric Picket.

The family would like to thank the staff at Karnes City Health and Rehabilitation Center for all their assistance and devoted care.

Corina Layton, a resident of San Antonio, Texas, entered eternal rest, Monday, September 24, 2012, at the age of 47 years, 4 months and 8 days.

Corina was born, May 16, 1965, the daughter of Isdor Herrera and Paulbina Padilla Ramirez. Ms. Layton was of the Catholic faith.

Corina is survived by her parents, Cristobal and Paulbina Ramirez of Pettus, Texas; her son Matthew Jacob Chavira of San Antonio, Texas; her sister, Catherine Vachon of Savanna, Georgia; her brothers, Dale Herrera of Austin, Texas, Joe Herrera and Chris Ramirez, Jr., both of Pettus, Texas and her mother-in-law, Juanita Chavira of San Antonio, Texas.

Visitation was held, Friday, September 28, 2012, and a rosary was recited at 7:00 P.M., Friday in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas. Funeral services were held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, September 29, 2012 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Mary Chavira officiating. Ms. Layton was cremated.

Macrina Villanueva Garcia, a resident of Karnes City, Texas, passed away, Wednesday, September 19, 2012, at 3:04 A.M., in the Karnes City Health and Rehab at the age of 82 years, 8 months and 10 days.

Macrina was born January 9, 1930, in Kenedy, Texas the daughter of Florentino Villanueva and Juventina Flores Villanueva. Macrina married Alfredo P. Garcia, Sr., on July 22, 1947. Macrina was a homemaker and of the Catholic faith.

Macrina is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son, Alfredo Garcia, Jr.; her sister, Lupe Arenas; and her brothers, Manuel Villanueva, Sr. and Robert Villanueva. Ms. Garcia is survived by her daughter, Helen Garcia of Karnes City, Texas; her sons, Oscar Garcia of Karnes City, Texas, Arturo Garcia, Sr., and wife Yolanda of Seguin, Texas and Albert Garcia of Karnes City, Texas; her numerous beloved grandchildren and precious great-grandchildren; her sisters, Josie Hernandez of Kenedy, Texas and Criselda Hinojosa of Kenedy, Texas; and her brother, Elias Villanueva of San Antonio, Texas.

Visitation was held in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas; Thursday, September 20, 2012 and a rosary was recited, Thursday at 7:00 P.M. Funeral mass was celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Friday, September 21, 2012 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy, Texas, with Rev. Norbert Herman, officiating. Interment followed in the Loma Alta Cemetery, Kenedy, Texas. Serving as pallbearers were Taylor Garcia, Adrian Garcia, Oscar Morin, Jr., Arturo Olvera, Jr., Travis Garcia and Arturo Garcia, Jr.

Thomas James Cooper, passed away after a long illness on Sunday, September 9, 2012.   T.J. was born on August 21, 1932 in San Antonio, Texas.  He graduated from Kenedy High School in 1949 and was married to Dorothy Ellen Hammett in January 1955. After 30 years of work in San Antonio, Victoria and numerous cities in Oklahoma, he retired from SWBT in 1986. He
served in the US Marine Corp and was a Purple Heart recipient and veteran ofthe Korean War.  He was a 50+ year member of Masonic Lodge #61 in Mangum, OK and Kenedy, Texas VFW.

T.J. is preceded in death by his parents Perry Cooper, Sr. and Beatrice McAda Cooper, his brother Perry Cooper, Jr., and son in law Joseph Edwin Bell. He is survived by wife, Dorothy,son Thomas John Cooper, daughter Terri Cooper Bell, grandchildren Thomas Jeffrey Cooper and wife Katelin, Natalie Reese Bell and Jaclyn Ryann Bell, and great grandson Thomas James Cooper.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

A graveside Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, September 15, 2012 at the Kenedy Cemetery.

Leroy F. Hines, a resident of San Antonio, Texas, passed away, Saturday, September 8, 2012, at 7:56 P.M., at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco, Texas, at the age of 65 years, 10 months and 5 days.

Leroy was born, November 3, 1946, in Beeville, Texas the son of Willie Ray Hines and Lottie Ruth Reynolds Hines. Mr. Hines proudly served his country in the United States Army.

Leroy is survived by his daughters, Sheryl Goza and husband John of Normanna, Texas and Darla Bentley of Logan, Utah; his son, Roy Hines, Jr., of San Antonio, Texas; his 6 grandchildren, Araya Elizabeth Hines, Chistin Lowry, Erik Goza, Jaydn Bentley, Brianna Bentley and Caleb Bentley; his sisters, Myrtle Andrews and husband Vernon, Nelda Ellison and husband Mike and Ruth Brice and his brothers, Donald Hines and wife Carmen and Ralph Hines and wife Margaret. Mr. Hines is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Judy Hines; his son Dennis Hines and his brother George Hines.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 P.M., Friday, September 14, 2012 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held, Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 2:00 P.M., in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jeff Brewer, officiating. Interment will follow in the Pawnee Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be, Roy Hines, Jr., Henry Pullin, Wallace Pullin, Scott Andrews, Douglas Ellison and Paul Mayfield.

Nellie Hemby Olsen, a longtime resident of Austin, Texas, passed away, Thursday, September 6, 2012 at 4:40 P.M., in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 86 years, 3 months and 6 days.

Nellie was born in Kenedy, Texas, the daughter of Sam Houston Hemby and Sadie McGee Hemby on May 31, 1926. She attended and graduated Kenedy High School; Class of 1943. After graduating high school, Nellie went to work for the State of Texas as a secretary. Nellie retired in 1988, after 31 years of work.

Nellie is survived by her son, David John Olsen of Austin, Texas; her daughter, Carol Pratt and husband Arthur of North Carolina; her 4 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 2
great-great-grandchildren and her brother, Sam Hemby and wife Pat of Kenedy,Texas. Ms. Olsen is preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Ellen Olsen and her sister, Thelma Hyltin.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, September 12, 2012, at the Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy, Texas, with, Rev. Walter Hill, III officiating. In lieu of flowers,
donations made be made to the American Legion.

Hector Rodriquez, peacefully passed away surrounded by those who loved him, Sunday, September 2, 2012 at 9:10 P.M., at his residence at the age of 35 years, 6 months and 26 days.

Hector was born, February 7, 1977 in Karnes City, Texas, the son of Dionicio “Don” Rodriquez, Jr., and Rosalinda Trevino Rodriquez. He was a lifelong resident of Pawnee, Texas. He worked as a supervisor of Texas Energy in Three Rivers. On November 7, 2008, Hector married Melissa Guzman in George West, Texas.

Hector is survived by his wife, Melissa Guzman; his children, Baleigh Rey Rodriquez, Trina Guzman and Levi Fulcher all of Three Rivers, Texas; his mother, Rosa Rodriquez of Pawnee, Texas; his sisters, Esperanza Guzman of Three Rivers, Adriana Rodriquez and Elodia Rodriguez of Pawnee, Texas and his brother Juan Rodriquez of Three Rivers, Texas. He is preceded in death by his father, Don Rodriquez, Jr.

Visitation was held, Wednesday, September 5, 2012 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel and a rosary was recited at 7:30 P.M., in the Eckols Chapel. Funeral mass was celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, September 6, 2012 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Pawnee, Texas. Interment followed in the De Ntra Sra De Guadalupe Cemetery, Pawnee, Texas.