Zelda Mae (Hargreaves) Atkinson, born on January 9, 1924 in Kenedy, TX to the late Wilton and Eddlene Hargreaves passed away on Friday, February 23, 2018 at the age of 94. Mrs. Atkinson graduated from Kenedy High School in 1942 and married Reginald C. Atkinson on May 21, 1972. She was a life-long member of and past Secretary /Treasurer of the Choate Baptist Church.  Zelda is preceded in death by her husband, Reginald; her parents, Wilton and Eddelene Hargreaves; her brothers, W.L. and Thomas Hargreaves; sister, Francis Richey; and great grandson, Brent Atkinson. She is survived by her daughters, Deborah Decas, of Karnes City, TX and Kay Brawner (Joe Foster), of Seguin, TX; sons, Reginald “Carroll” (Dodie) Atkinson, Jr. of Three Rivers, TX and Randall (Wendy) Atkinson, of Kenedy, TX; 13 grandchildren that loving called her “MeMaw”; and 27 Great Grandchildren; her sisters: Jane Wernli, of Three Rivers, TX, JoAnn Lemmons, of Fort Stockton and Wanda (Richard) Wagner, of Gruver, TX; and nieces and nephews.  Visitation will be held Monday, February 26, 2018 from 5:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.,  in the  Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 10AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Aaron Corparon officiating            . Interment will follow in the Choate Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the Choate Cemetery Association or Kenedy Cemetery Association.

Pallbearers: Michael Atkinson, David Schueman, Larry Atkinson, Bryan Atkinson, Dace Atkinson, Reggie C. Salyer, Caleb Brawner, and Colby Brawner.

Honorary Pallbearers: Gibby Orsek, Joe Foster, James Borroum, and Tommy Coan.

Alton Waltersdorff , Age 75 of Kenedy, TX passed away Thursday, February 22, 2018 in Victoria, TX. Alton was born on August 19, 1042 in Kenedy, TX to the late Marvin, Sr. and Dollie Smart Waltersdorff.  Alton was a retired oil field worker and of a member of Karnes City First Baptist Church. Alton is preceded in death by his wife Mary Chesser Waltersdorff; parents, Marvin, Sr. and Dollie Smart Waltersdorff; sisters, Francis Donnell, Sharon Waltersdorff, Shirley Waltersdorff and brother, Marvin Waltersdorff, Jr. Alton is survived by his step-daughters, Wendy Atkinson and husband Randy of Choate, Kelly Kochian  and husband Gary of Victoria; sisters, Doris Buehring of Karnes City, Rachel Krawietz of Karnes City, Barbara Creek of Karnes City, Elizabeth Boelter of Kenedy; brothers, Lawrence Waltersdorff of Yorktown, Richard Waltersdorff of Karnes City, 4 step-grandchildren and 5 step-greatgrandchildren. Visitation will be held Sunday, February 25, 2018 from 2PM to 9PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Services will be Monday, February 26, 2018 at 2PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kevin Cornelius officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery, Kenedy, TX.

Virginia Nell Turnipseed, 89, of Kenedy, Texas passed away Monday, February 5, 2018 in Kenedy, Texas. She was born December 15, 1928, in Karnes County, Texas, to the late Tom S. Yeater and Ruth McMurray Yeater. She married Harvey L. Turnipseed July 17, 1954. She was a life-long resident of Kenedy, Texas and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and most recently attended Catholic Mass at the John Paul II Nursing Facility where she was a resident. She worked as a Switch Board Operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, assisted with the ownership of Motor Supply, Inc. and the Kenedy Greyhound Bus Station. She was a homemaker and avid cook known for her wonderful desserts and Sunday dinners. She is survived by daughters, Cherilyn (Lee) Hext of Kenedy, Texas; Tammy Turnipseed of San Jose, California and Brian (Robin) Turnipseed of Granbury, Texas and grandchildren, Ethan Turnipseed of Kenedy, Texas, and Audrey Turnipseed of Granbury, Texas; sister, Joyce Sutton of Portland, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Harvey L. Turnipseed; sisters Lucille Smith, Ruby Mixon and Wilma Lindeman; brothers Bobby Yeater, Roy Yeater and J.T. Yeater.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, February 8^th from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. with Funeral Services scheduled for Friday, February 9^th at 10:00a.m. at Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Father Patrick Bergin officiating. Burial followed in the Kenedy Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers: Larry Mixon, Brad Yeater,  Michael Yeater, Wayne Yeater, Gary Walsh, Chris Ellis, Dennis Lindeman and Gilbert DeLeon. Honorary pallbearers are her many beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Kenedy Cemetery or John Paul II Nursing Home.

Glenn Arnold Valentine, 59 of Kenedy, passed away on January 19, 2018. Glenn was born on December 15, 1958, in Cortez, CO to Carol McCourt Johnson and Glenn A. Valentine.  He graduated from Kenedy High School in 1978.  After graduation he worked for ML Leddy in Abilene, TX; Circle Y in Yoakum, TX; and then returned home and worked for CB Supply in Karnes City, TX.  He never met a stranger, he enjoyed playing golf, gardening, wood working, barbequing, and visiting with friends.  He was fortunate to have a good group of friends that continued to spend time with him when he moved back to Kenedy.  Survivors include brothers: Terry (Melanie) Johnson of Karnes City, Jim (Karen) Johnson of Victoria, Michael (Brenda) Johnson of Highland Village, Patrick (Staci) Johnson of San Antonio; nieces and nephews: Kelly (John) Williams, Andrea (Drew) Rhodes, Chris Johnson, Kayla Johnson, Rhett (Rachel) Johnson, Hailey Johnson, Kaitlyn Johnson, Grant Johnson, Michael Johnson; great nieces and nephews: Whitney Williams, Owen Williams, Addison Rhodes, and Caroline Rhodes.  Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father Harding Johnson, and his nephew Kevin Johnson.  Serving as pallbearers: Timmy Menke,  Jeff Huff, Rodney Chesser, Cibo Braun, Kevin Labus, Johnny Gustafson, Brad Yeater, Roger Gaskamp, and Bill Morrow.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: the Karnes County Junior Golf Association or the Karnes County A&M Club @ 2777 N. Hwy 181 Karnes City, Texas 78118.  The family invites everyone to the First United Methodist Church Mission Hall in Karnes City for a light meal and fellowship.

Justin Blake Burnside, Age 32 of Yorktown, TX passed away January 10, 2018 in San Antonio, TX. Justin was born on May 20, 1985 in Karnes City, TX. He was a front desk manager for Southern Inn & Suites and a member of The Word Fellowship. Justin is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Jim Hartsfield, Sr. and paternal grandfather Curtis D. Pullin. Justin is survived by his parents Darla and Shane Pullin of Yorktown, TX; Father Lonzo Burnside, Maternal Grandmother Frances Macon Hartsfield, Paternal Grandmother Sherry Lana Koerth of George West, Uncles, Jim Hartsfield, Jr. of Kenedy, Wallace Hartsfield of Kenedy, Joey Hartsfield of Kenedy and numerous Great Aunts and Great Uncles and Cousins. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 17, 2018 from 6PM to 8PM in the Eckols Funeral Home, Chapel.  Services will be Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 10AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Walter Hill, III officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery, Kenedy, TX

Kevin Michael Johnson, Age 23, of San Antonio, TX passed from this life to be with his Lord and Savior on January 10, 2018. Kevin was born on March 14, 1994 in San Antonio, TX to Patrick Alan and Staci Walker Johnson. Kevin graduated from Texas A&M San Antonio in 2016 with a Bachelors in Communications and was a Customer Service Manager for Navy Federal Credit Union.  Kevin was a loving compassionate young man of Strong Christian Faith who loved his family, ministering the Lord’s gospel, being outdoors, traveling across the United States and other countries, singing, writing music, playing his guitar and a joyful blessing to all those around him.  Kevin is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Randall C. Walker and paternal grandparents Harding and Carol McCourt Johnson.  Kevin is survived by his parents, Patrick Alan and Staci Walker Johnson of San Antonio; sister, Kayla Johnson of San Antonio, maternal grandmother, Mary Beth Walker of Choate and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  Family Visitation will be held Sunday, January 14, 2018 from 5PM to 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, TX . Services will be Monday, January 15, 2018 at 1PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Zachary Van Veldhuizen officiating.  Interment will follow in the Choate Cemetery, Choate, TX.  Serving as Pallbearers will be Rhett Johnson, Chris Johnson, Grant Johnson, Michael Harrison Johnson, Scotty Walker, Noah Maddox, Justin Moravitz, Michael Moravitz, and Derek Walker.

Honorary Pallbearer will be Casey Walker.

Jean Lois Milam Atkinson of Kenedy passed away January 5, 2018 in a San Antonio hospital following a brief illness. She was born August 4, 1936 in San Antonio to Ralph E. and Lois Knowlton Milam, Jr.  She married Jim Tobe Atkinson on August 8, 1958 in San Antonio.  Jean enjoyed hunting, traveling and bowling and was a retired bookkeeper and substitute teacher.  She was a member of the Pawnee United Methodist Church.

Jean is survived by her husband Tobe, daughter Jamie & Larry Brown of Kenedy, grandson Dusty, wife Julie, and granddaughter Kate of College Station, sister, Ann and husband Tom Ransdell of Boerne, and brother- in-law Louis and Mary Ann Spreen of San Antonio, along with nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Mary Spreen, and her in-laws Marion and Annie Wallace Atkinson.

A Memorial Service was held Monday, January 8^th at the Eckols Chapel in Kenedy with Rev. Sue Huntsman officiating.  Memorials may be made to the Pawnee United Methodist Church P.O. Box 526, Pawnee, TX, 78145.

Dominga Cisneros Aguirre, Age 93 of Falls City, TX passed away January 1, 2018 in San Antonio, TX. Dominga was born on September 21, 1924 to the late Benino and Maria Cisneros.  She was a homemaker and a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband Macario Aguirre; parents, Benino and Maria Cisneros and a son Adolfo Aguirre.

She is survived by a cousin, Tom Cisneros, lifelong friend Dora Molina, step-granddaughter Mary Lou Jaramillo and a sister.

A Holy Rosary was recited Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass was held Friday, January 5, 2018 at 11AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with the Rev. Gregory Sawicki officiating in Falls City, TX.  Interment followed in the Falls City Cemetery, Falls City, TX.

Pallbearers were David Cisneros, Robert Cisneros, Jesse Perez, Trini Gamez, Louie Martinez and Robert Hidalgo.

John W. Stewart, Jr., 93 years-old of Kenedy, Texas, went to his Heavenly Rest this Easter weekend. His loving wife, Laura, was at his side, as she was nearly every day of his life and throughout more than seven decades of marriage.  A native Texan, John was born in Dallas, on May 18, 1924. During his elementary years, his family resettled in Port Jervis, New York, where he met Laura Chase while they were both 9 years-old. After graduating from Port Jervis High School, John joined the Coast Guard at the beginning of World War II.  After the war, John & his bride moved back to Texas to settle in Kenedy, where John found his place serving the community through the family business, Eckols Funeral Home. He also assisted with the family ranching business, raising herds of commercial livestock as well as selling and transporting Red Brahman cattle around the state of Texas and, indeed, around the world.  John was the proud father of four sons — John Winton, III (deceased); David of Kenedy, TX; Philip of San Antonio, TX; James of Bulverde, TX; Six grandchildren (Meredith Chase Ellis of Menlo Park, CA, Philip Chase Stewart of San Antonio, Stacy Stewart Rigby, Virginia Chase Stewart and Chandler Stewart of Bulverde; and Jeffrey Chase Stewart of Houston as well as three great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.  Though fondly known by his family for his love of the sea and deepwater fishing, residents of Kenedy, Texas likely know John’s principled devotion to serving his community. In addition to operating the Eckols Funeral Home — his calling as much as his job — he also served as a Deacon at the First Baptist Church in Kenedy, President of the Rotary Club,, member of the Kenedy Independent School Board, The Kenedy Masonic Lodge as well as the Kenedy Jaycees, and Past Treasurer for the Kenedy Little League. He was also a proud 70 year member of The Scottish Rite Masonic Order.  Through the years, John and Laura enjoyed vacationing by the ocean in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and along the Gulf Coast. His years in the Coast Guard allowed him the luxury of eating Stilton cheese and onions during family fishing trips on choppy waters, no doubt to the agony of his less sea-hardened crew.   Having lived a full life of early-to-bed and early-to-rise dedication to his family, faith, and community, John W. Stewart, Jr.’s eternal life will be celebrated at the following:  Family Visitation was held Tues. April 3, 2018 from 6PM to 8PM in the Eckols Funeral Home, Chapel. Services were held Wed. April 4, 2018 at 10AM in the Eckols Funeral Home, Chapel with the Rev. Tim Williams officiating.  Interment followed in the Kenedy Cemetery. Pallbearers were Dr. John Evans, Jeffrey Stewart, Philip Stewart, Bill Gregory, Brad Yeater and Patrick Tam.

Ignatz “Pete” Sczepanik was welcomed by his Savior on the afternoon of Thursday, January 11, 2018, in Panna Maria, Texas. Pete was born on September 8, 1942 in Harmony, Texas to Ignatz, Sr. and Regina Sczepanik.

He graduated from Karnes City High School. Pete served the United States honorably as part of the U.S. Army and was stationed in Korea.

He was a devoted Catholic and faithful parishioner of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Cestohowa, Texas.

Pete was a loving husband, father, brother, Opa, and Popo to his newest grandson, Desmond. He enjoyed tending to his ranch, cattle, chickens, guineas, dogs, and cats (especially, his cat, Riley). He also loved to watch his “pet” deer. Some of his past times included watching Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune, the western channel, and sports.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ignatz and Regina Sczepanik; brothers, Andrew Sczepanik and Fabian Sczepanik; sisters, Catherine Hill and Lillian Sczepanik; nephew, Brandon Sczepanik; and sister-in-law, Rose Mary Sczepanik.

He is survived by wife, Lailey Lambert Sczepanik, the love of his life, his ten children, whom he loved to brag on daily (much to their embarrassment). He was extremely proud of the fact that all of his children attended college; Romney Sample (Derek), Eric Sczepanik, Duncan Sczepanik (Clare), Kirk Sczepanik (Tina), Seth Sczepanik, Tobin Sczepanik, Dr. Darcy Seaton (Jeffery), Dr. Katya Sczepanik, Dr. Emily Brysch (Joseph), and Alexis Sczepanik (soon to be Dr.); grandchildren, Stephanie Mcelhatten, Joseph Barkley, Sarah Perez (Nathan), Robert Sczepanik, Shelby Sczepanik, Kaylie Garcia, and Desmond Brysch; great-grandchildren, Belladonna, Sierna, Emmalynn, and Benjamin; sister, Alice Mohr, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A rosary was held Monday, January 15, 2018 at 7:00PM and a funeral mass was held Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 10:00AM at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Cestohowa, Texas. Msgr. Frank Kuraj and Fr. Andrzej Waszczenko officiated the services. Pallbearers included Eric Sczepanik, Duncan Sczepanik, Kirk Sczepanik, Seth Sczepanik, Tobin Sczepanik and Robert Sczepanik