Jonelle Wheatley Thornton, age 78, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, September 23, 2018, in her home in Helena, Texas, with Bill Thornton, her husband of 57 years, and her loving family surrounding her. Born on October 27, 1939, Jonelle grew up in Brownsville, TX, with her parents, Marshall and Ruth Clark. Jonelle attended Southwestern University, where she was a member of the outstanding Southwestern A Cappella Choir and Delta Delta Delta sorority. She was selected as a School Beauty and as the Kappa Sigma Dream Girl of 1960. During her time at Southwestern, Jonelle met Bill Dozier Thornton, the love of her life, and they married in 1961. They had three children, Brian, Steven, Matthew. They lived in Austin, Temple, the Rio Grande Valley, South Padre Island, and, in retirement, on their ranch in Helena. Jonelle was a beacon to her family. Her light shone bright and her love ran deep. Jonelle  was preceded in death by her sons, Brian and Matthew Thornton. She is survived by her husband, Bill Thornton; son, Steve (Lorie); grandchildren, Jennifer (David) Pierson, Phillip and Dylan Loveland, and Wyatt Aikman-Thornton; great grandchildren, Rebecca and Madeline Pierson; nieces, nephew, and other relatives; and her beloved Chihuahua, B.B. Visitation will be held Friday, September 28, 2018 from 3:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. at Eckols Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 1:00p.m. at Karnes City Cemetery with Rev. Danielle Knapp officiating of the Karnes City United Methodist Church.

Diana “DeeDee” Marie Villanueva, of Karnes City, TX born on March 22, 1965 to the late Edward “Wasso” De La Garza and Mary Guerra De La Garza passed away Saturday, September 22, 2018 at the age of 53. DeeDee was a Business office Manager for Kenedy Health and Rehab in Kenedy, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, a friend to many who loved arts and crafts, sewing, cooking and baking. She is preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her husband, Gilbert Villanueva of Karnes City, TX; her daughter, Cerise (Joe) Quesada, Jr., of Corpus Christi, TX; her son; Gilbert “G.J.” Villanueva, Jr. and fiancé, Hillary; grandsons, Joseph Quesada and Ian Quesada; her sisters, Sandra De La Garza, of Karnes City, TX, Mandy (Christopher) Grullon, of New Braunfels, TX and Terri De La Garza, of Victoria, TX; brother, Eddie (Sandy) De La Garza, of Kenedy, TX; several nieces and nephews and other relatives. A Holy Rosary will be recited at 7PM Tuesday, September 25, 2018 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be Celebrated Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating. Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery. Pallbearers: Gilbert Villanueva, Jr., Raymond Villanueva, Eddie De La Garza, Joe Quesada, Chris Grullon, Mike Gonzales, and Davy Villanueva.

Adolfo G. “Duffy” Aguirre, of Dickinson, TX born on May 29, 1958 in Karnes City, TX passed away on September 14, 2018 at the age of 60. He worked for Howell Electric for many years. He is preceded in death by his parents, Francisco “Kiko”and Herlinda “Linda” Garza Aguirre and his siblings, Francisco “Frank” Aguirre, Alfredo “Freddy” Aguirre, and Linda Ann Aguirre. He is survived by his son, Adolfo Duffy “D.J.” Aguirre, Jr. and wife Katherine; his five grandchildren: Anthony Lette, Christian Lette, Brealynn Lette, Adolfo Davian Aguirre, and Ashlynn Aguirre; his brothers and sisters: Gilbert Aguirre, Robert (Anita) Aguirre, Yolanda (Roy) Garcia, Sulema (Gregorio Jr.) Gonzales, Carolina Duenes, and Samuel (Carol) Aguirre; numerous nieces, nephews, former spouse, Mary Alaniz; and other relatives. Visitation Hours: Monday, September 17, 2018 from 9:00a.m. to 9:00p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:00p.m. then a Rosary to be recited at 7:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel. Funeral services Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 12:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel with interment in Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery, Pawnee, TX. Pallbearers: Amanda Daniels, Fredrick Wayne Duenes, Donovan Garcia, Gilbert Aguirre Jr., Gregorio Gonzales, Jr., Jerry Duenes, Anthony Lette, Christian Lette.

Rose Marie Villarreal Gomez, Age 60 of Kenedy, TX passed away Sunday, September 9, 2018 at home surrounded by her loving family. Rose was born on March 31, 1958 in Karnes City, TX to Seferino P. and Eleanor Hernandez Villarreal. In October of 1984 she married Jon Gomez in Three Rivers, TX.  Rose was a Rural Mail Carrier for the United States Postal Service; a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and Friend to many.

She is preceded in death by her father, Seferino P. Villarreal and a daughter Deidra Marie Gomez.

She is survived by her husband John Gomez of Kenedy, mother, Eleanor Hernandez Villarreal of Kenedy, daughter, Jayme Ochoa Martinez of Kenedy; sons, Steve Ochoa of San Antonio, Jon Erik Ochoa of Kenedy; grandchildren, Andre Martinez of Kenedy, Gabrielle Martinez of Kenedy; sisters, Velma Garza of Kenedy, Hilaria Cano of Kenedy, Norma Longoria of San Antonio, Rebecca Villarreal of Kenedy, Diana McGowan of San Antonio, Rachel Asevedo of Floresville; brothers, Seferino Villarreal, III of Kenedy, Robert Villarreal of Floresville, Can Villarreal of Austin and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

A Prayer Service will be held Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with the Chaplin Lydia Luna officiating. A private inurnment will take place in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery in Pawnee, TX at a later date.

James Allen McKee, born on May 31, 1937 to Jesse Hicks and Audie Martin McKee passed away on September 8, 2018 at the age of 81. Mr. McKee is preceded in death by his wife Mollie and infant, Becky McKee. Survivors include his sons, Bobby Joe (Jamie) McKee and David Allen (Jessica) McKee, of Kenedy, TX; grandchildren: James Wade McKee, Lisa JoAnn McKee, Christopher Michael McKee, Jason Trevino, Dylan McKee, Kenley McKee; great grandchildren: Kenneth, Bethany, Starr and Ivory Johnson and Maddie McKee; and other relatives. Visitation hours: Thursday, September 13, 2018 from 12 to 9:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel. Funeral services Friday, September 14, 2018 at 10:00a.m. Eckols Chapel with interment in Kenedy Cemetery.

Julia Caballero Cruz, Age 83, of Kenedy, TX passed away on Thursday, September 6, 2018 in Kenedy, TX. Julia was born on April 12, 1935 in Nell, TX to the late Andres and Elodia Alejandro Caballero.  She was a loving mother, grandmother, nurse’s aide and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Andres and Elodia Alejandro Caballero and brothers, Edward Caballero, Gilbert Caballero and Anselmo Caballero.  She is survived by her daughter, Anna Cruz Benavides of Kenedy, Johnny Cruz of Goliad, Luis Cruz of Kenedy, granddaughter, and Alyssa Benavides of Alice.  A Holy Rosary will be recited Monday, September 10, 2018 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating.  Interment will follow at the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX

Jose Pepe Perez, Age 55 of Kenedy, TX passed away on Friday, August 10, 2018. He was born on Sept. 18, 1962 to the late Magdeleno Mendoza and Diamentina Perez Rivera.  He was a handyman and a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.  He is preceded in death by his parents Magdeleno Mendoza and Diamentina Perez Rivera; brother, Xavier Michael Garcia and 1 infant brother.  He is survived by his sisters, Sylvia (Albert) Aguero, Angie Caballero, Marcina (Ricardo) Guerra, Mariana (Beto) Mendoza Fernandez, Maria Mendoza; brothers, Robert (Elida) Castro of, David Perez, Enrique (Dianna) Perez, Martin Perez of, Mando (Shannen)Mendoza, Madeleno (Christina) Mendoza, Jr., Marjil (Julia) Mendoza, Mario Mendoza, and Marcos Mendoza; Step-Children, Isabella Barrientez, Gingy DeLeon, Jeremiah Barrientez, Jerome Barrientez, Jacob Barrientez, James Barrientez, and Ladis Barrientez.  A Holy Rosary will be recited Friday, August 17, 2018 at 7P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, August 18, 2018 at 10A.M. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Hermann Officiating.  Interment will follow in the Runge Cemetery, Runge, TX. Serving as Pallbearers will be Joshua Perez, Jacob Perez, Roger Reyes,Michael Castro, Jeremiah Barrientez, and JoJo Castillo.

Mark James Wolff, born on December 8, 1957 in Kenedy, Texas to Homer and Lois Fenske Wolff passed away on August 1, 2018 at the age of 60. Mr. Wolff had worked as an independent CPA. He is preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his sister, Jacalyn (Bob) Casnova and her husband Bob, of Euless, TX; nieces, Stephany Robertson, of Portland, TX, Lorri Singleton, of Euless, TX; great nieces: Rylie Robertson, Regan Robertson, Ella Singleton, and Olivia Singleton. Visitation will be held at 9:00a.m. Thursday, August 16, 2018 with Funeral Services beginning at 10:00a.m. at Eckols Chapel. Interment to follow in Pawnee Cemetery.

Maria Cantu Villarreal, of Kenedy, TX was born on June 30, 1925 in Kenedy, TX passed away on August 9, 2018 surrounded by family at the age of 93. Maria was preceded in death by her parents, Santos and Elivoria Cantu; her husband, Pedro; and her son, Eduardo; grandchildren, Joseph G. Salinas, Cindy Villarreal; great-grandchildren, Andrew J. Skau, Paityn A. Skau and Daylen J. Rios. She is survived by her son, Pete (Ellen) Villarreal, of Kenedy, TX; daughter, Yolanda (Jesse) Salinas, of Kenedy, TX; son, Henry (Deborah) Villarreal, of Kenedy, TX; and Danny (DeAnna) Villarreal, of Kenedy, TX; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 6 great-greatgrandchildren. Visitation will be Monday, August 13, 2018 from 12:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with a  Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00p.m. in the  Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 10:00a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Nobert Hermann officiating.  Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Bobbie Joane Garcia, Age 62 of Karnes City, TX passed away Thursday, July 26, 2018 in Karnes City, TX. She was born on April 25, 1956 to the late Robert William Adcock and Barbara Schuster Sells in Floresville, TX.  She was a homemaker, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many.

She is preceded in death by her father, Robert William Adcock; and parents, Sunny and Barbara Schuster Sells.

She is survived by her husband, Martin Garcia of Karnes City; son, Casey (Dawn) Schuster of Pleasanton; step-daughters, Veronica Garcia of Karnes City, Leticia Garcia of Seguin, Vanessa Garcia of Kenedy, brother Oscar Sells of TX; grandchildren, Travis Schuster, Taylor Schuster, Brandon Schuster, Julissa Garcia, Brittney Garza, Victor Garza, and Haylynn Garza and great-grandson Jordan Schuster.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, August 3, 2018 at 6PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy,TX. Inurnment will take place at a later date.