Frances Valeria Huwe (February 23, 1934 – August 18, 2024)

On August 18, 2024, Frances Huwe passed away at DeTar Hospital in Victoria, surrounded by her loving family, after a sudden illness. While she will be dearly missed by the many loved ones she left behind, they can all take solace in the fact that she has been reunited once again with her beloved husband, Clarence “Bud” Huwe, in the heavenly realm.  Frances was born into humble surroundings on February 23, 1934 in Belchertown, Massachusetts. Sadly, her mother nor her twin sister survived child birth. Alternatively, Frances was sent to be raised by her Polish immigrant grandmother, Josephine Kmiecik.  During her first marriage, Frances gave birth to daughters April and Marie in Ware, Massachusetts, where they still reside today. In 1954, she married the love of her life, a U.S. Navy sailor named Clarence “Bud” Theodore Otto Huwe. They had two children, Larry and Lynn. The family followed Bud loyally to numerous duty stations. After retiring from the Navy in 1972, Frances and Bud moved to Runge, Texas where they would buy land and plant their roots in the community. They were happily married for 56 years, until Bud passed away in 2011.  Frances was blessed with a creative soul, sharing her artistic talents in many ways. Baking, ceramics, sewing, crafting and painting gave her great joy. Perhaps most notably, however, was her talent for hair styling. Frances owned the town’s only beauty salon for 20 years.  She also enjoyed giving back to her community by regularly visiting the retirement home in Kenedy, to cut, style, perm, and blow dry hair for the residents that needed her.  Frances had a generous heart, always looking for ways to be of service to others and often discreetly helping those in financial need, even if she had to do without. She worked for many years as an Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Volunteer and at the Karnes County Thrift Store in Kenedy.  Everyone that knew Frances knew she loved games of chance… Yahtzee, lottery scratch-offs, Bingo, slot machines, football squares, raffle tickets, etc. And if you were playing against her, you didn’t have a chance! These games reflected the optimism she maintained throughout the challenging life she had known since birth. Fran was also a voracious reader, loved music, adored her dogs, collected thousands of bells, and was a faithful member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Runge.  Frances Huwe is survived by her children, April Kularski (Marty), Marie Clark (David), Larry Huwe (Carol) and Lynn Buehring (Shelby). Grandchildren,Tammy Buehring, Ericka Buehring Carisa Kularski, Jeff Kularski (Tina), Dan Kularski (Caitlin), Philip Kularski and Paul Gerulaitis (Cory) , Erika Huwe Bridges (Tommy), Erin Huwe Walden (Mike), Christopher Reynolds (Amy) and Clayton Reynolds (Kelsey). Great Grandchildren, Kiara, Jake, Ryan, Cherylann, Ally, Dominic, Madison, Dakota, Peyton, Raymond, Caiden, Kylie, A.J, Alex, Austin, Ethan, Daniel, Justin Buehring (Brittany), Brady Crews, Brian Crews, Rylee Reynolds, Emerson Reynolds, Easton Reynolds, Cora and Bennett Walden. Great Great Grandchildren, Bradley, Aubrey, Emma, Abel, Adalyn, Aydyn, Denton and Madison.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 23, 2024 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel from 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 PM with a Holy Rosary to be Recited at 7:30 PM.  Services will be Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 10:00 AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow in the Karnes City Cemetery.

Serving as Pallbearers: Lawrence Huwe, Clayton Reynolds, Christopher Reynolds, Curtis Reynolds, Ronald Huwe and Fermin Tamez.

Memorial donations can be sent to a charity of your choice in her memory.

Gladys F. Bryand, Age 72 of Kenedy, TX passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2024 in Victoria, TX surrounded by her loving family.  Gladys was born on November 20, 1951 in Kenedy to the late Daniel Flores and Natalia Salas Flores.  She married Filimon G. Bryand, Jr. on May 18, 1974 in Kenedy.  Gladys was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister and a devout member of El Aposento Alto Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Natalia Salas Flores and a brother, Ernest Soliz, Sr..

She is survived by her loving husband Filimon G Bryand, Jr. of Kenedy; daughters, Lisa Salazar and husband David of Victoria, Priscilla Aguero and husband Manuel of Kenedy; sons, Pedro Flores and wife Elma of Victoria, Daniel Flores and wife Diana of Runge, Filimon Bryand, III of Kenedy, Christopher Lee Bryand and wife Sonia of Runge; sisters, Elena Herrera of Lubbock, Janie Fuentes of Kenedy; brother, Jimmy Flores of Kenedy; 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Family Visitation will be held Monday, August 19, 2024 from 1PM to 7PM with a Prayer Service Starting at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Services will be Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 10AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Natalia Mejia and Kristy Mejia

Officiating.  Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Soila C. Jaramillo, Age 83 of Kenedy, TX passed away on July 24, 2024 in Karnes City, TX.  Soila was born on December 10, 1940 in Runge, TX to the late Eulogio and Elisa Muniz Cortez.  She married Florencio Jaramillo on January 22, 1959 in San Antonio, TX.  Soila was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, retired from HEB and was a devout member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Eulogio and Elisa Munoz Cortez, 3 brothers, 1 sister and 2 great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her loving husband, Florencio Jaramillo of Kenedy; daughters, Yvonne Rosales and husband Merced of Kenedy, Yvette Vallejo of Kenedy; grandchildren, Jacob Elizondo of San Antonio, Elisa Salinas of Kenedy, Anjelica Elizondo of Corpus Christi, Ivan Kotzur of Kenedy, Isaac Kotzur of Karnes City, Andrea Dubose and husband Jaime of Kenedy, Viola Cortez of Kenedy, Elva Rivas of San Antonio, Rosa Vasquez of San Antonio and 12 great-grandchildren. 

A Holy Rosary will be recited Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 9:30 A.M. with Funeral Mass celebrated at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church with Rev. Paschal Bergin officiating.

Serving as Pallbearers will be: Matthew Jaramillo, Joe Torres, Ryland Reyna, Rayden Reyna, Ivan Kotzur, Isaac Kotzur and Jacob Elizondo.

Honorary Pallbearers: Blake Gonzales, Luke Elizondo and James Mitchell.

Jason Ramirez, Age 18 of Marble Falls formerly of Kenedy, TX passed away on August 2, 2024. Jason was born on March 10, 2006 in Victoria to Jason Ray Ramirez and Velma Jean Prieto.  He graduated from Marble Falls High School in May of 2024.  He loved his family and friends.  He loved fishing, music, dancing, and his GT Mustang.  Jason loved learning to play his guitar from his brother. He also had a passion for cutting hair.  He was a big dreamer who had BIG DREAMS and was of the Catholic Faith.

He is preceded in death by his paternal grandmother Delina C. Ramirez.

He is survived by his loving parents, Jason Ray Ramirez and Velma Jean Prieto; maternal grandparents, Esteban and Minnie Prieto; paternal grandparents, Ray and Sylvia Ramirez; sister, Alyssa K Ramirez; brother, Jadran Ramirez; aunt, Linda Prieto and Danny Hinojosa, cousins, Stefan Escandon and Noah Escandon; aunt, Chris Pope and husband Tim Pope; cousins, Trisha Pope and Zeke Ramirez; aunt, Blanca Prieto and Bradley Johnson, cousins Alexa and Morris Brown, Mason Brown, Miles Brown, McKenzie Brown; cousin, Sumer and Johnny Martinez, Damien Martinez; cousin, John Henry Sanchez; Uncle Ray Anthony Ramirez; Uncle Paul Escandon and many dear extended family members and friends.

A Holy Rosary will be recited Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Deacon Guadalupe Cantu Officiating.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers will be: Jadran Ramirez, Ray Anthony Ramirez, Noah Escandon, John Henry Sanchez, Zeke Ramirez, Frankie Reyes, Nick Amezquita and Stefan Escandon.

On July 7th, 2024, Thomas Anthony Farias entered the pearly gates of heaven. Thomas was the only son of Yolanda Medrano and Pedro Farias born January 21st, 1970 in Waukegan, Illinois where he was raised. 

Thomas is survived by his father Pedro Farias of Kenedy, Texas, his children Amber (Julian) Jordan of Phoenix Arizona, Joseph (Angelina Smith) Farias of Waukegan, IL, Ashley (Joshua Sinde) Farias of Kenosha, WI and Jacob (Faith Price) Farias of Antioch, IL, sisters Rose Butler of Vernon Hills, IL, and Amy Boelke of Kenedy, TX, grandchildren and pride & joy Jeremiah and Aria Jordan, Theo Farias, and Rosalina Sinde, close cousins Felipe Diaz, Juan Medrano and many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and many, many friends.

He is preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents, mother Yolanda Farias, sister JoAnne Arreguin, brother in law Jim Boelke and nephew Christopher Dominguez.Thomas was a big grizzly bear whom you had to really get to know to find the cuddly teddy bear. He had a big heart especially for his grandkids and great nephews and nieces. In 2020, he relocated to Kenedy, TX where he worked different jobs until he found himself unable to work due to the lung damage from covid. Thomas was a die-hard Dallas Cowboy fan and he rarely missed watching a game. He loved being silly and fighting with his sister, kids and grandkids. He loved fishing, reading, watching old movies, and listening to good old House Music.  

Services will be August 10th at 2:00 pm at Eckols Funeral Home 420 W. Liveoak St Kenedy, TX 78119

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved child Benson Victor Pena, who was taken from us to soon on July 24, 2024 at the tender age of 8 months and 9 days. Benson was born on November 15, 2023 in San Antonio, TX.  He brought immeasurable happiness in to our lives with his spunky personality, his sweet smile, contagious laughs and bondless curiosity. In his short little life Benson, made achievements everyday amazing everyone around him.  With lots of love and books, Benson’s brain grew 70% in 2 months surprising doctors and nurses.  Benson loved lights and especially his long baths.  Benson was extremely loved and will be forever missed.  He will be carried in our hearts forever with all the beautiful memories we created.

Benson is preceded in death by his grandparents Ernesto and Helena Pena.

Benson is survived by his mothers, Manica Pena and Monica Pena; grandmother, Gingy Gonzales; brothers, Jason Medina, Vincent Pena; Sisters, Briana Medina, Julissa Pena, Madeline McKee, Caylee Garay, Ashlynn Hernandez, Shaela Hernandez, Hannah Hernandez, Helena Hernandez, Hanna Hernandez, Regginae Robles; Aunts, Gracie Garcia, Mona Pena, Roxanne May, Priscilla Pena, Tomie Baldera; Uncles, Alfredo Pena, Ernie Pena, Lee Pena, Richard Pena, “Boy” Ernest Pena; nieces, Alyanna Martinez, Aliyah Medina, McKenzie Medina; nephews, Grayson Carr, Dylan Lewallen and nurses, Michelle, Theresa, Stephanie and Makayla.

Visitation will be held Sunday, August 4, 2024 from 2PM to 7PM with a Prayer Service at 7Pm in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Services will be Monday, August 5, 2024 at 10AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Dwayne McHinney and Pastor Zeke Casarez officiating.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Lee Pena, Ozzy Martinez, Elijah Pena and Briana Medina.

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Raymond “Ray” Lee Liska passed away peacefully on the morning of July 21, 2024 after a long, courageous battle fighting cancer. Ray was loved by all who knew him.  He was known for his quick wit and humor, his fair and honest nature, and his fierce loyalty to those he loved. He was one whose optimism was boundless, even while facing a terminal disease, he never gave up hope.  He believed in the goodness of God and mankind and always stressed the importance of laughter, friends and maintaining strong family relationships. 

Ray was born in Kenedy, Texas on October 29, 1946, to Rudolph Louis Liska and Norma Fauschenbauer Liska. Ray grew up in Runge, Texas along with his three siblings. He attended Runge High School where he excelled in sports and academics, graduating in 1965.  Although he enjoyed playing all sports, football was his favorite. He loved playing every position and had a natural talent for eyeing plays. His senior year, Ray was captain of the football team and was voted Class President, Mr. RHS and Class Favorite.  It was here in Runge where he fell in love with his future wife, Marilyn Tips. The two met at the young age of six, became high school sweethearts, and later followed one another to The University of Texas in Austin where they were married in 1968. 

Ray graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelors of Business Administration in 1969.  In 1971, the married couple moved to Corpus Christi, where Ray started his career with New York Life. He was a career agent and a Registered Representative for NYLife Securities for 53 years.  He earned various professional degrees from the American College, including Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Chartered Financial Consultant (CHFC). Ray was a natural at striking up easy conversations and his positive, outgoing personality was well suited for sales, earning him a number of professional awards.  He was a Life Council Agent to NYLife Securities for 35 consecutive years, a Life Member of the Texas Leaders Round Table and was a “Lone Star Leader.”  Ray was a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table for 46 consecutive years.  He served as President of the Corpus Christi Chapter of the National Association of Life Underwriters and served on the Estate Planning Council.  Ray also taught an Advanced Underwriting class at Del Mar College during his professional career.  

Ray had an unforgettable spirit that brought joy and fun to any gathering.  He appreciated the value of hard work in his career and in his pastimes. He meticulously tended to his lawn and favorite plants, always enjoying the beauty of nature. Weekends often found him in Runge, meeting up with old friends, hunting or fishing with his grandkids, and cooking out under the live oak trees. Nothing made him happier than preparing a great meal (especially barbeque) for others to enjoy.  An avid golfer, and supporter of the Texas Longhorns, he greatly enjoyed the memories made on the golf course or watching football, baseball and basketball games with his lifelong friends. Ray also enjoyed traveling throughout the years, creating special memories with friends and family.  

Ray and Marilyn enjoyed 53 years of marriage and over 69 years together as friends. They shared a special lifelong love story of dedication and service to one another.  Their union blessed them with two daughters and 6 grandchildren all of whom adored him.  Ray instilled the love of the Lord in his children and grandchildren who often observed him demonstrate generosity, compassion and Christ’s love in action. 

Ray is preceded in death by his parents Rudolph and Norma Liska, his siblings Rudolph “Buddy” Liska, Terrilyn Liska Jones, and Wayne Franklin Liska, his wife Marilyn Tips Liska, and his son-in-law, Matthew Loving.

Ray is survived by his two loving daughters and their families: Melissa Parigi and her husband Travis Parigi, (Reid, Lauren, William) of Houston and Brandy Loving and her husband Patrick McCullough (Colton, Kaitlyn, Hunter) of Austin. 

Ray has left us, we will mourn him, but how fortunate are we to have known him, to have loved him, and to have been witness to his humor, his joyous personality, and the warmth of his soul.  His life left a lasting impact on many people as Ray always put the needs of others ahead of his own. Ray’s memory will remain in the hearts of his family, friends and all who knew him and loved him.  In his own words, “All good things come to an end but the Kingdom of God lives on forever.”

A Vigil Service and Celebration of Ray’s life will be held at Seaside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 4357 Ocean Drive, in Corpus Christi on Friday, August 2nd at 6:00 pm.  

A Funeral Service and Mass will be held in Runge, Texas at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 101 East Arenoso Street, on Saturday August 3rd at 10:00 am.  Refreshments and lunch will be served immediately thereafter at St. Anthony’s Church Hall. 

If you wish to make a memorial gift, the family would be honored by donations made in Memory of Raymond Liska to MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 or MDAnderson.org/Gifts.

Manuela Ruiz Perales, Age 96 of Kenedy, TX passed away on July 18, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.  Manuela was born on November 6, 1927 in Karnes County to the late Pedro and Concepcion Rios Ruiz.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and of the Catholic Faith.

She is preceded in death by her husband Francisco G. Perales; parents, Pedro and Concepcion Rios Ruiz; 2 sisters and 4 brothers.

She is survived by her children, Blanca Cruz of Kenedy, Lisa Ann Corea and husband Marcos of San Antonio, 4 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and dear family members and friends.

A Holy Rosary will be recited Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, July 22, 2024 at 9:30 AM 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: Joe Perales, Frank Perales, Adam Hernandez, Daniel Hernandez, Matthew Hernandez, and Joseph Hernandez.

Joe Don Byles, 58, died peacefully in Rowlett, Texas on July 12, 2024 from a long battle with 

diabetes complications. He was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on December 8, 1965. He was a linebacker in football for the Flour Bluff Hornets and was named All American Linebacker (Honorable Mentioned). Joe grew up surfing on Padre Island and graduated from

Flour Bluff High in Corpus Christi with Honors in 1984. He attended the University of Texas in Austin and graduated with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1987. He married his high school sweetheart, Lisa Maria Ritter on August 21, 1987 in Corpus Christi. Joe worked at Weed Instruments in Round Rock, Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, CIT in Fresno, CA, Hunter Irrigation in Phoenix, AZ and SolPavers in Dallas. He worked with several other business ventures and had partnerships in various industries such as aerospace, irrigation, water conservation, the landscape/green industry, and solar. Joe’s greatest passion was inventing.  He holds over 25 US and International patents and patent pendings.  He received numerous awards for his patents including three from the US Dept. Of Energy.  Joe loved to travel the world with many trips across the US and ventures to London, Rome, Paris, Hawaii, the Bahamas and cruising the Caribbean Islands. He loved taking his family on trips to DisneyLand and DisneyWorld as well as spending summer days at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe Clarence Byles, Patsy Ann Copeland Byles, and baby brother Byles.  Survivors include his wife, Lisa, daughter Madison Hetterly, son-in-law Joseph Hetterly, son Joshua Byles and daughter Leslie Byles along with his beloved sister, JoAnn Byles Norton, niece Lauren Farrar,  great nephew Joel

and great niece Kylee. 

Graveside services and burial will be on Friday, July 19th at 11:00 am in the Kenedy Cemetery. Viewing will be held from 9:00-10:45 am at

Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy, TX. (830)583-2533

A Memorial Service and reception will be held at St. Matthews Catholic Church officiated by his college roommate, Father Eric Ritter, in San Antonio, TX at a later date TBA.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association in honor of his name.

Dewey Frank Merriman was born in Elsa, Texas on June 3, 1927 to John and Katie Merriman.  He passed from this life on July 16, 2024 surrounded by family.  He is survived by his daughter Janet Monson of Kenedy and his son Ward (Patsy) Merriman of Denton, Texas. Grandchildren Andrea (Greg) Bell, Katie Hutcherson, Brad (Rachel) Merriman, Jason (Jana) Maddox, Kevin Auston, Misti (Mark) Janese.  Great grandchildren Ashley, Shelby, Paul, Logan, Noah, Mykalla, Simon, Carleigh, Ella, Emma, Hunter, Dylan, Peyton, Wyatt.  Great, Great Grandchildren James, Willow and Jackson, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his first wife Elwanda Merriman and his second wife Geneva Merriman, son Weldon Merriman, daughter JoAnn Merriman, Grandson, Clint Maddox, son -in-law Ed Monson, brothers Ward, Carl, and Floyd and sister Winnefred.  Dewey grew up in the Rio Grande Valley.  He joined the Navy at age 17 and proudly served on the USS Cabot during WWII.  Upon leaving the Navy, Dewey returned to the Elsa area and married Elwanda Brown and they raised four children together.  Over the years Dewey drove heavy machinery and cleared brush, was briefly a sharecropper, went to work for a crop dusting service and eventually became a pilot for them until his retirement.  Dewey also served as a Sharyland ISD school board member and had the honor of presenting high school diplomas to all four of his children.  Dewey enjoyed flying his own private plane and also traveling around the US and several foreign countries.  Most important to Dewey was his family.  He loved them all dearly took great pride in each and cherished the times spent with them and sharing memories of his past.

Visitation will be Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 1PM with Services at 2PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Wally Schievelbein officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Elim Cemetery in Elim, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers: Jason Maddox, Brad Merriman, Kevin Austin, Logan childs, Noah Maddox, Simon Merriman, Greg Bell, Wyatt Janese and Hunter Maddox.

Memorials may be made to the Elim Cemetery Church Cemetery Foundation.