Clemente Ramirez, Sr. age 88 of Kenedy passed away Jan. 27, 2017 at his home in Kenedy, TX. He was born Jan 23, 1929 in Goliad, TX to Jose and Petra Padilla Ramirez.  He married Josefa Vasquez on March 1953 in Goliad, and he was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. He was retired from Johnson Construction Co. in Pettus.  His hobbies were fishing, hunting and gardening.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Petra Ramirez; brothers, Jose Ramirez, and Antonio Ramirez; his sisters, Gabina Cabazos, Gregoria Medina, Aurora Ibarra, and Pat Vera.

Survivors include his wife Josefa Vasquez Ramirez of Kenedy; sons, Joe Ramirez of Floresville, Clemente Ramirez of Karnes City; daughters, Lupe Ramirez of Beeville, Rosie McCrory of Karnes City, Abelina Ramirez of Kenedy; sisters, Eva Montez of Tuleta, & Lucy DeLeon of Baytown; a brother Cristobal Ramirez of Pettus; grandchildren Rico Ramirez, Yvette Cantu, Joe Ramirez,Jr., Chelzy Ramirez, Lexi Ramirez, Jeremy Ramirez and 6 Great-grandchildren.

A Rosary will be recited Monday, January 30^th at 7:00 PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday Jan. 31^st. at 10:00 AM from Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating. Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery.

Tyson David Searcy, age 52 passed away into God’s glory December 29, 2016 in Denver Co. He is a descendant of early pioneer Texas families, as well of Sir John Calvert, First Lord Baltimore and founder of the first Catholic colony in America and also a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  Tyson is the son of the late Patrick Lambert Searcy and Lasca Bulter Searcy Dudden.  And by an uncommon coincidence, his paternal grandfather, Tyson Morey Searcy died the exact same day 44 years earlier.  Born Oct. 19, 1964 along with his identical twin brother, Bryan Wood Searcy in San Antonio,TX. The twins were later joined by younger brother, Patrick Lambert Searcy, II.  The family relocated in 1973 to Denver, CO where they all graduated from Cherry Creek High School. Tyson studied at Arapahoe Community College and at the University of Nebraska in Kearney, Nebraska.  Characteristically, Tyson was very outgoing and pleasant, personable person, blessed with a keen, uplifting sense of humor, optimistic and thoughtful of others. He will be deeply missed.  He married Tonya Carsten Nickell June 29, 1997 in an extravagant ceremony at the Renaissance Festival in Lakespur, CO. They are the proud parents of Courtney Amanda Searcy.  She was Tyson pride & joy.  He is survived by his wife Tonya and daughter Courtney, step-brother Nickell and wife Chelsea; mother Lasca and husband Perry Dudden, twin brother Bryan Wood Searcy and daughter Caitlin; Patrick Lambert Searcy, II and daughter Samantha; half-brother Hunter Urrutia Searcy and step-brother Todd Alan Dudden and wife Tina and Jonathan and Dayna.  He is further survived by aunts, Catherin Searcy Finn (Don), Claire Searcy Grassedonio (Roy) and Aubrey Kline Searcy.  Tyson was blessed to have a large family of many dear cousins and a host of friends.  Tyson was proceeded in death by his father, Patrick Lambert Searcy, and uncle Lawrence Shepard Searcy, maternal grandparents William Bryan and Alice Rutledge Butler; fraternal grandparents Tyson Morey and Catherin Wood Searcy.  On February 11, 2017, a Memorial service will be held in Kenedy, TX at the Eckols Funeral Home at 2:00 PM with the interment at the Butler Family Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to be given to the Tyson Searcy Memorial Fund in care of Mrs. Tyson Searcy, 3036 S. Biscay St., Aurora, CO 80013

Mary Martinez Cuellar, Age 69 of Kenedy, TX passed away on January 23, 2017 in San Antonio, TX. Mary was born on September 23, 1947 in Live Oak County to the late Domingo, Sr. and Connie Leal Martinez.  She was a Homemaker, a loving Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and a member of EL Buen Samaritano Methodist Church.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Domingo, Sr. and Connie Leal Martinez; daughter, Mary Jane Ibarra; son, Freddy Cantu; and brother, Tony Martinez.  She is survived by daughters, Bernice Reyes and husband Alex of Runge, Romelda Cantu and Robert Villarreal of Pleasanton, Judy Trevino and husband Frank Trevino, Jr. of Kenedy, Connie Cuellar and Ruben Munoz of Kenedy; sons, Peter Cantu of San Antonio, Marcel Cuellar of Kenedy; brother, Domingo Martinez, Jr and wife Sandra of Pearsall; 11 Grandchildren and 8 Great-Grandchildren.  A Prayer Service will be held Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be Friday, January 27, 2017 at 11AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Maria Vela officiating.  Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ruben Munoz, David Fuentes, Frank Trevino, III, Gilbert Ibarra, Joel Ibarra, Justin Martinez, Ronnie Edwards and Mark Brosig.

Rettie Ann Lamb Banda, Age 78 of Portland, TX formerly of Thomaston, TX passed away Tues. Jan. 24, 2017 in Portland, TX. Rettie was born on November 14, 1938 in Cuero, TX to the late Ernest Robert Lamb and Myrtle Lorena DeDear Atkinson.  She was a retired cashier and of the Christian Faith.   She is preceded in death by her husband, Geronimo Contreras Banda; parents, Ernest Robert Lamb and Myrtle Lorena DeDear Atkinson; and a son, Charles Odom “Chuck” Atkinson, Jr.   She is survived by her daughter, Sylvia Mills of Portland; sons, Randle Thomas Sherman Miller of Mathis, Robert Miles Miller of Portland; brother, Carl Frank Green, Jr. of Tyler; 10 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.   A Visitation will be held Sat., Jan. 28, 2017 from 10AM to 11AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside Services will be held in the Thomaston Cemetery at 12PM in Thomaston, TX.  Pallbearers will be Randle Thomas Sherman Miller, Robert Miles Miller, Robert Atkinson, Nathan Guerrero, Casey Morris and Daniel Rosales.

Toby Longoria, Sr., Age 57 of San Antonio, TX formerly of Kenedy, TX passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 in San Antonio. Toby was born on May 6, 1959 in Kenedy to Blas and Frances Rodriguez Longoria.  He married Norma Villarreal on November 1, 1975 in Kenedy. Toby was a member of El Buen Samaritano Methodist Church, a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle and Friend.  He is preceded in death by his father, Blas Longoria, Sr.; brothers, Cosme Longoria, Chon Longoria, and Johnny Longoria.   He is survived by his loving wife, Norma Villarreal Longoria of San Antonio; mother, Frances Rodriguez Longoria of Kenedy; daughter, Brittany Nicole Hughes and husband Seth of Wichita Falls; sons, Toby “T.J.” Longoria, Jr. of Fort Benning, GA, Anthony “BamBam” Longoria and wife Megan of Blanco; sisters, Minnie Prieto of Kenedy, Katie Lomas of Pasadena, Mary Jane Aguero of Kenedy, Corina Santos of Kenedy; brothers, Blas Longoria, Jr. of Corpus Christi, Paul Longoria, Sr. of Kenedy, and grandchildren, Eli Luke Longoria and Hailey Longoria.  A Prayer Service will be held Friday, January 20, 2017 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 11AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Maria Vela officiating.  Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Toby “T.J.” Longoria, Jr., Anthony “BamBam” Longoria, George Longoria, C.J. Longoria, Paul Longoria, Jr., and Matthew Villarreal.

Honorary Pallbearers are Josh Miranda and Cheddy Longoria.

Hermina Dorothy Hermis went to be with our Lord on January 13, 2017, at the age of 96 at Northeast Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas after a four year residency at John Paul II nursing home in Kenedy.

She was born on February 10, 1920, to Julius and Angelina (nee Olsovsky) Hermis in Hobson, Karnes County, Texas. With the early death of her father, she quit high school and went to work in San Antonio. Later she came back to Kenedy and worked at the bus station, May’s Cafe and sold Avon products in her spare time. The majority of her career was working at the Ken Kream for over 40 years from the time it opened its doors. During this time, she absolutely enjoyed engaging with the many students and customers until her health declined. She also enjoyed bowling at the K-Bowl, gardening and her pets. She moved to John Paul II Nursing Home in January 2013.

She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Emma and Gilmer Donabauer Sr. of Kenedy, her half-sister Marcine Dupnik of Hobson and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Victor Brosh, sister and brother-in-law, Christine Hermis Syring and Marcus “Mike” Syring of Kenedy, and Louis Dupnik, husband of Marcine Dupnik.

Funeral arrangements provided by Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy. A Rosary was recited at Eckols Chapel on Sunday evening at 7PM followed by funeral service on Monday at 10:00AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Father Norbert Herman officiating. Interment at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery on FM-81 in Hobson, Texas.

Pallbearers were Jody Syring, Harold Syring, Gilmer Donabauer, Jr., Charles Donabauer, David Dupnik and Anthony Dupnik and Jim Syring, alternate.

Family members would like to thank Drs. John Seaworth, Rayford Mitchell, and Sahar Avestimehr, the Sisters and staff at John Paul II Nursing Home, the wonderful staff at Northeast Baptist Hospital and Embrace Hospice for her care.

She will be in the hearts of many who encountered her throughout her long life’s journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the John Paul II Nursing Home or have a Mass Offering in her name at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy, TX or any catholic church of your choice.

Criscelia “Sally” Villanueva Hinojosa, Age 84, of Kenedy, TX passed away on January 10, 2017 in San Antonio, TX. Criscelia was born on August 18, 1932 in Kenedy, TX to the late Florentino and Juventina Flores Villanueva. She retired as a Librarian for the Kenedy Public Library was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Benitez Hinojosa; parents, Florentino and Juventina Flores Villanueva; son, Robert Anthony Hinojosa; sisters, Guadalupe Arenas, Macrina Garcia and Josephina Hernandez; brothers, Roberto Villanueva, Manuel Villanueva, and Elias Villanueva.

She is survived by her son, Roger Lee Hinojosa and his wife Vickie of San Antonio; grandchildren, Celeste Hinojosa, Robert Anthony Hinojosa, Jr., Devon Hinojosa, Vincent Garcia, Monica Garcia, Veronica Garcia and great-grandchildren, Jordyn Guerrero, Mila Guerrero and Myla Garcia.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 12, 2017 from 5PM to 7PM with a Rosary being recited at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be Friday, January 13, 2017 at 11AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

Shaylene Nicole Monson, 23 of Lockhart, TX was born on November 16, 1993 in Perryton, TX. Shay graduated Salutatorian from Pettus High School in 2012.   Shay, like her sister Emily, loved being outdoors, taking care of her animals, photography, and creating projects with her daughters. Shay was a full-time Mom to her two precious daughters Rhyliegh and Payton.  Shay and Justin made a loving home for their family in Lockhart, TX where she enjoyed feeding the deer and teaching her daughters all she could from living in the country to getting them prepared for preschool.  Shay put her family first and always cared for others when she could.  Shay was in the process of completing coursework at Coastal Bend College for her Associates Degree.  Shay will be missed greatly.  May she rest in peace with her sister Emily and be an angel to her daughters.  Shay is survived by her husband Justin McCan, daughters Rhyliegh and Payton McCan, Father Philip Monson of Kenedy, TX; Father and Mother in Law Richard and Jill McCan of Lockhart, TX; sisters, Miranda Monson of Kenedy,TX; step-sister Karisa Klaiber of Beeville, TX;  Shauna McCan of Bastrop, TX;  Becki Reed of Lockhart, TX;  Grandparents, Dianna Monson and the late Mauritz Monson of Kenedy, TX;  Bill Blystone of Carter, OK;  Great Aunts, Vickie Herbert and Kay Krawietz, Great Uncle Edward and Aunt Janet Monson of Kenedy, TX; Uncle Maurice and Aunt Donna Diaz of Kenedy, TX;  Uncle Rodney and Aunt Crystal Blackmon of Carter, OK;  nieces, Lola McCan of Bastrop, TX;  Khristyn Parra of Dallas, TX;  nephew, Nick Parra of Lockhart, TX;  cousins, Kyrsten Monson, Dale Herbert, Stacey Tapscott, Patricia Hahler Morgan, Kaitlin Morgan, Nick Elliott, T.C. Elliott, Marie Kirk-Hahler, Carl Kirk-Hahler, David Kirk-Hahler, Katherine Duclos, Clint Maddox, Ashley Maddox, and Jason Maddox.  Family Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 11, 2017 from 6PM to 8PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 2PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Wally Schievelbein officiating.  Interment will follow in the Elim Lutheran Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Richard McCan, John Hostetter, Jordan Harmon, Roland Sanchez, Quinton Tawater and Nick Parra.

Please make donations payable to Justin McCan or Philip Monson and in memo write Rhyliegh & Payton Fund. Donations can also be made by calling Texas Champion Bank at 830-583-9811. Ext. 2241 PO Box 18, Kenedy, TX 78119

Emily Rebecca Monson, 24 of Kenedy, TX was born on October 6, 1992 in Perryton, TX. Emily graduated from Pettus High School in 2011.  Emily was an avid rancher, hunter, and loved anything having to do with the outdoors. She enjoyed everything life had to offer and would do anything she could to help others.  Emily loved her friends and family, she was “Auntie Meme” to her beautiful nieces Rhyliegh and Payton.  Emily always looked out for sisters as well.  She loved always and gave with all her heart.  Her dog Levi was always with her and loved taking care of her livestock.  Emily continued to teach what she loved to her sister Miranda and her cousin Kyrsten at the farm.  Emily will be missed greatly.  May she rest in peace with her sister Shay.  Emily is survived by her by her Father, Philip Monson of Kenedy, TX; sisters, Miranda Monson of Kenedy, TX and step-sister Karisa Klaiber of Beeville, TX;  Grandparents, Dianna Monson and the late Mauritz Monson of Kenedy, TX;  Bill Blystone of Carter, OK;  Great Aunts, Vickie Herbert and Kay Krawietz, Great Uncle Edward and Aunt Janet Monson of Kenedy, TX; Uncle Maurice and Aunt Donna Diaz of Kenedy, TX;  Uncle Rodney and Aunt Crystal Blackmon of Carter, OK;  nieces, Rhyliegh and Payton McCan of Lockhart, TX, cousins, Kyrsten Monson, Dale Herbert, Stacey Tapscott, Patricia Hahler Morgan, Kaitlin Morgan, Nick Elliott, T.C. Elliott, Marie Kirk-Hahler, Carl Kirk-Hahler, David Kirk-Hahler, Katherine Duclos, Clint Maddox, Ashley Maddox, and Jason Maddox.  Family Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 11, 2017 from 6PM to 8PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 2PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Wally Schievelbein officiating.  Interment will follow in the Elim Lutheran Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Jason Maddox, Cody Stehling, Bobby Kinchloe, John Lewis Salinas, and Clint Maddox

Please make donations payable to Justin McCan or Philip Monson and in memo write Rhyliegh & Payton Fund. Donations can also be made by calling Texas Champion Bank at 830-583-9811. Ext. 2241 PO Box 18, Kenedy, TX 78119

Melton “Bits” Braudaway passed peacefully to the heavens surrounded with love by family and friends on January 5, 2017. He was born December 15, 1941 in Fort Worth, TX to John Henry Braudaway, Sr. and Elenora Kotara Braudaway both deceased.  Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 51 years, Margie Roberts Braudaway, daughter Chaliise Braudaway Mackey, Doug of Victoria, TX and son Britton Braudaway, Susan of Port O’Connor,TX, grandchildren Lauren Preston, Kevin of Roanoke, TX and Terrell Braudaway of Cedar Park, TX.  Brothers John Braudaway Jr, Charlene of  Karnes City, TX, Jessie Braudaway, Carolyn of Springfield, VA, Alton Braudaway, Karen of Zephyr, TX.  Sherwin “Joe” Braudaway deceased.  Sisters Genevia Hahn, Charles of Cuero, TX, Sharon Champagne, Keith of Bedford, TX and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend.

Bits attended Texas State University. He worked for Oscar Mayer for ten years after which he had a successful 37 year career in the structural steel business.  He was a member of the Choate Baptist Church and proudly served in the United States Marine Corp.  He enjoyed his recent retirement, traveling, and his love for his place in Port O’Connor, TX.  He was a remarkable man of wit and wisdom.  Through his strength and courage he made every day a joy to his family and friends.

The viewing will be Monday, January 9, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 P. M. at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy, TX. The service is Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at Eckols Funeral Home with internment at Choate Cemetery in Choate, TX.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 4241 E. Piedras Dr, Suite 171, San Antonio, TX 78228 or Choate Cemetery, 6433 State Hwy 239, Kenedy, TX 78119.