Cecil E. Brown, 81, of Kenedy, passed away Tuesday Nov. 8, 2011. He was born Feb. 22, 1930 to the late William M. and Hattie V. Linder Brown, of Karnes County. He married Betty Sammons Brown in 1948.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Brown, of Kenedy; daughters, Marianna (John) Martin, of Midland, Billie Ann Brown, of Kenedy, Kathy (Lester) Gorzell, of La Vernia; sons, Allen (Lynn) Brown, of Kenedy, Morris (Melody) Brown, of Kenedy, Larry (Jamie) Brown, of Kenedy; 18 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and son, Jerry Brown.
Visitation will be at Eckols Funeral Home Chapel Thursday Nov. 10, 2011 from 6- 8 p.m. Funeral services to be held at Eckols Chapel Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 at 11 a.m., with Russell G. Briley officating. Burial at Kenedy Cemetery, Kenedy

 Lillian Mary Williams, 90, of Kenedy, passed away on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011. She was born on November 26, 1920 in Runge, to the late William Hoffer and Annie Gerloff Hoffer.  She was a retired bookkeeper and member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.
She is survived by her son, Reginald John Michael; grandson, Gregory M. (Holly) Williams; and great-grandchildren, Taylor, Charles, James and Lacey Williams; and sister, Lois Rivas.  She was preceded in death by her parents, son; Ira Gene Williams, sister;Thelma Adams, brothers; Billie, R.O.,and Austin Hoffer.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, at Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. A rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, at Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.
Graveside services will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, at Runge Catholic Cemetery in Runge, with Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating.

FRANCISCO SALINAS

KENEDY – Francisco “Frankie” Salinas, 59, of Kenedy, passed away Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011. He was born Sep. 18, 1952 to the late Gabriel and Baudelia Salinas, of Kenedy. On Jan. 29, 1982 he married Yolanda Gutierrez Salinas in Karnes City. He worked as an operator for Pioneer Natural Resources and attended Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church.
He is survived by wife, Yolanda Salinas; son, Gabriel (Katie) Salinas, of Siganella, Sicily, Daniel Salinas, of Kenedy; five sisters; and two brothers.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Albert Salinas; and sister, Esmeralda Salinas.
Rosary on Wednesday Nov. 9, 2011 at 7 p.m., Eckols Chapel, Kenedy.
Funeral service will be held Thursday, Nov.10, 2011, 2 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating. Burial at Loma Alta Cemetery, Kenedy.

JOSEPH E SARLLS

KENEDY – Joseph E. Sarlls, 96, of Kenedy, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011. He was born on March, 29, 1915 to the late James R. Sarlls and Bridget (Kavanaugh) Sarlls. He was a retired farmer, rancher and oilfield worker.
He is survived by sisters, Margaret Vanelli of Wasilla, Alaska, and Mary Dorweiller, of Kansas City, Mo.; granddaughters, Linda (Clint) Solomon Tatum of Austin, Sharon (James) Solomon Vance of Austin and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by parents; wife, Clara E. Sarlls; granddaughter, Janice Solomon.
Rosary will be 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, 2011 at Eckols Funeral Home chapel, Kenedy. Funeral Services 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating. Burial following at Kenedy Cemetery.

TIEMANN
Roland B. Tiemann, born on June 14, 1924, in Karnes County, Texas, went to be with our Lord on Nov. 2, 2011, at the age of 87. He grew up in a strong Christian home and was close to his sister, brothers, and cousins. He served his country in the Army Air Corp during WWII and after returning home he worked in the auto parts business. Before retiring in 1994, he worked for Ford Authorized Engine Rebuilders (AER) for 30 years in sales. After retiring, he enjoyed ranching, hunting, and being with his family. He had a love of people and especially enjoyed extended family gatherings. He is survived by his lovingfamily, wife of 62 years, Ethelene; daughters, Joan and husband Tommy Friesenhahn; Jean and husband Lance Ross; grandchildren, Jared and fiancée SkyeVerkaik-Bushby, Bethany, Aaron, and ZachryFriesenhahn; Kyle, Kellie and Kristi Ross. He was a wonderful husband, the best dad, and a great papo. We will miss his beautiful blue eyes that were always full of fun. Visitation is Sunday, Nov. 6th, 5:00-7:00pm at Eckols Funeral Home, Kenedy, Texas. Funeral service will be Monday, Nov. 7th at 11a.m. at Highland Park Lutheran Church in San Antonio. Interment at Karnes City Cemetery, Karnes City, Texas at 3:00PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Vascular Disease Foundation (http://www.vdf.org) or donor’s choice.

Rogelio Ramírez

June 24, 1919-October 24, 2011

Rogelio was born in “el rancho Del Oscar” near Pawnee, Texas to Salomé and Josefa Ramírez, a farming family and farmed until retirement. Rogé’s interests and skills were varied, ranging from growing pomegranate trees, vegetables, mammoth sunflowers and geraniums to creating concrete memorial markers, quilting, bird watching and astronomy.   Dad relished watching and feeding birds, cardinals being his favorite and sharing astronomical events with his children and late wife.  Grandpa was an amateur weatherman, a skilled carpenter and log splitter.  Being a man of faith, Papi built a small sanctuary chapel to honor St. Jude. PoPo was a homeschooled farmer-mathematician who adroitly used an abacus to assist his school-age children with their algebra homework.  Tío Rogelio was a member of the Knights of Columbus, cherished his grandkids and was known for his bone-crushing handshakes.

His six children: Ramiro (Eva) Ramírez, Olga (the late Bob) Lynch, Mary (George) Gongora, Zoila (John) Drost, Soraida Ramírez, and Roberto (Emma) Ramírez, nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren,  one great-great granddaughter,  numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren, brothers-in-law and host of friends survive and mourn him.

 Mr. Ramírez is preceded in death by his wife, Gregoria, parents, Salomé and Josefa Ramírez, and all of his sisters, Celvia, Baby Hortensia, Hortensia, Celia, Ofelia and Christina and a son-in-law, Robert Lynch.

 For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to:  Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church (Pawnee), c/o Sacred Heart Catholic Church, P.O Box 729, Three Rivers, Texas 78071.

 In remembrance of Rogelio, plant some geraniums or view the night skies and enjoy!

Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM on Friday, October 28, 2011 at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy, Texas. Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm that same evening.  Rite of Christian Burial (Mass) will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Pawnee, Texas on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 10:00 AM.  Final Committal follows at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery in Pawnee, Texas.                 .

This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24.

CARLOS R. DIAZ SR.

Winter Haven, FL – Carlos R. Diaz Sr., 68, of Winter Haven, FL, formerly of Kenedy, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. He was born on Nov. 4, 1942 in Kenedy, to the late Isidoro Diaz and Celvia Ramirez Diaz.
He is survived by his wife, Yolanda Muniz Diaz; daughters, Anna Maria Coronado, Esther Marie Diza, and Dahlia Glass; son, Carlos R. Diaz, Jr.; and sisters, Yolanda Villarreal and Irma Cruz; brothers, Isidro Diaz, Salome Diaz, and Humberto Diaz; 13 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.
A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, at Eckols Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Pettus, with Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating. Burial will follow at Pettus Cemetery.

Dan Moody Gaskins, age 84, of Kenedy passed away May 24, 2011. He was born in Berclair, to Emma and John Franklin Gaskins. He married Charline Daubrava Rees in Beeville on April 20, 1972.
Dan went to work for Civil Services in Beeville at Chase Field Naval Base in 1942. In 1944 he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He did his basic training at Camp Wood which is now Fort Hood in Killeen. From Camp Wood he was sent to California for desert training in the Pacific, then to Seattle, Wash., and then to South Korea. He was in South Korea for about a year. Dan was honorably discharged Dec. 2, 1946.
Dan went to work for South Western Bell Telephone Co. in 1947. He started out as a lineman, then to construction foreman, combination man, then as a switchman. He worked in Beeville, Yorktown, Freer, and Kenedy. He retired March 25, 1981 with 34 years of service.
Dan is survived by his wife, Charline; his son, William and his wife Mary Gaskins; daughter, Marilyn Hollman Williams and husband Alton; daughter, Gerrie Gaskins, and son-in-law, Robert Noah; stepsons, Dan Rees and Zane Rees; sisters, Mary Louise Everett and Linda Allen and her husband Mel; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Cynthia Gaskins Noah; son, Danny M. Gaskins; great-grandson, Lance Yanta; sisters, Leona Gregory, Margaret Vickers, and Lois Everett; and brothers, Davis, John, and Archie Gaskins.
Dan was in law enforcement for many years. He was a cowboy at heart. He enjoyed spending time with friends at Barth’s Restaurant, family reunions and “Ole” Cars. He enjoyed hunting and ranching.
A celebration of Dan’s Life will be held Saturday, May 28, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Eckols Chapel in Kenedy.

Erwin John Smolik Sr., age 83, of Kenedy, passed away on May 21, 2011. “Big John”, as he was affectionately known by family, was born on Jan. 11, 1928 in Karnes City to the late William H. and Lucy Mikulenka Smolik. He married Joyce Thigpen on Sept. 30, 1948 in Karnes City. He owned and operated Smolik’s meat market in Kenedy and was a member of St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Karnes City.
He is survived by his lovely wife of 62 ½ years, Joyce Thigpen Smolik of Kenedy; daughters, Jan and husband Nicholas Millington of Karnes City, and Jamie and husband Jory McPhail of Dallas; sons, Dr. John Smolik Jr. of Austin, Jerry and wife Pat Smolik of Rockport, Jim and wife Debbie Smolik of Austin, and Jeff Smolik of Kenedy; sister; Agatha Winters of Boerne; brother, George Smolik of Karnes City; grandchildren: John Ross Smolik, Dr. Kristen Smolik, Kara Smolik, Dr. Jeremy and wife Annalese Smolik, Jake Smolik, Chelsea and husband Mitch Herr, Kelly and husband Mark Contreras, Erica and husband Andrew Wilson, Brittany Smolik, Tiffany Smolik, Dr. Ryan and wife Riana Millington, Patrick Millington, Caitlyn Millington, Taylor Millington, Josh Smolik, Lindsey Smolik, Corey Smolik, Lauren McPhail, and Alyssa McPhail; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by both parents and one brother, Bill Smolik.
A rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, with funeral Mass following at 11 a.m., at St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Karnes City. Interment will follow at the Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy.
Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons: John Ross Smolik, Dr. Jeremy Smolik, Jake Smolik, Dr. Ryan Millington, Patrick Millington, Taylor Millington, Josh Smolik and Corey Smolik.
Memorial contributions may be made at the donor’s discretion to the charity of choice.

Eugenio G. Gonzales Jr. was born on Feb. 22, 1924, in Choate and passed away on June 4, 2011, at the age of 87 years old. He was born to Eugenio Gonzales and Aurelia Garcia. He was the owner and operator of E.G. Gonzales Trucking Company and the owner of Mr. G’s convenient store in Kenedy.
   He was preceded in death by a son, Robert Gonzales; a daughter, Olga Herrera; and a granddaughter, Eunice Gonzales.
   He is survived by his children, Eugene Gonzales of Kenedy, Sylvia (Dan) Colin of Montgomery, Roy (Mary Helen) Gonzales of Victoria, Roland (Irene) Gonzales of Corpus Christi; his sister, Dora (Eliseo) Salinas of Corpus Christi; and a son-in-law, Raymond Herrera of San Antonio; 14 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
Eugenio served with the Army 102nd Evacuation Hospital during World War II and was awarded the EAME Campaign Medal with five Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal, American Theater Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
   Visitation will be on Monday, June 6, 2011, from 3-9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. that evening at Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday morning, June 7, 2011, at 10 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy. Interment will follow at Loma Alta Cemetery.
   Serving as pallbearers will be Geno Gonzales, Woody Gonzales, Michael Herrera, Bobby Gonzales, Raymond Herrera, and Dan Colin.