Ira Lynn DuBose, Age 70 of Pawnee, TX passed away Friday, February 17, 2017 in Pawnee, TX. Lynn was born on December 11, 1946 in   Beeville, TX to the late Ira William and Lois Inez Wren Dubose.  He married Barbara Hawkins in 1966 in Beeville, TX.  Lynn retired from Feather Lite Construction Company, was an avid cattle rancher operating Escondido Ranches in Pawnee, actively involved in the American Black Hereford Association and the Texas Black Hereford Association, of the Church of Christ Faith and a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend to many.   Lynn is preceded in death by his parents, Ira William and Lois Inez Wren Dubose and grandchildren Paisley Inez and Pascale Cole DuBose.  Lynn is survived by his wife, Barbara H. DuBose of Pawnee; sons, Duane DuBose of Pawnee, Wesley DuBose and wife Jenn of Pawnee; brother, Dale DuBose of Corpus Christi; and grandchildren Katie Lynn and William Warren Cole DuBose of Pawnee.  Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 21, 2017 from 6PM to 8PM in the Eckols Chapel. Services will be Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 11AM in the Eckols Chapel with David Todd Officiating.  Interment will follow in the Mineral Cemetery, Mineral, TX. Serving as Pallbearers will be: Ronnie Gordon, George Shaw, LeeRoy Poldreck, Van Smith, James Groesbeck, and Stephen Monsivais  In Lieu of flowers memorials in Lynn’s name may be sent to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Matias A. Gonzales, Age 72, of Kenedy, TX passed away on Friday, February 3, 2017 in Kenedy, TX. Matias was born on January 24, 1945 in Nell, TX to the late Jesus and Guadalupe Alaniz Gonzales.  Matias was a retired heavy equipment/truck driver for Camino Construction Company, a devout member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church and a member of the O.L.Q.O.P Spanish Choir.  In 1971 he married Aurora Davila in Karnes City, TX.  He is a preceded in death by his parents, Jesus and Guadalupe Alaniz Gonzales; sister Martha Hernandez; brothers, Antonio A. Gonzales and Benito A. Gonzales.  He is survived by his loving wife, Aurora Davila Gonzales of Kenedy; son Matias Gonzales, Jr. and wife Martha of Kenedy; sister, Agarita Cortez and husband Florentino of Pawnee; brothers, Felix A. Gonzales of Three Rivers, Juan A. Gonzales and wife Modesta of Coy City, Miguel A. Gonzales and wife Janie of Coy City; grandchildren, Gabriel Gonzales and Matias Gonzales, III of Kenedy and host of nieces, nephews and friends.  A Holy Rosary will be recited Monday, February 6, 2017 at 7:30 PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 9:00 AM at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

Carmen J. Hines, Age 79, of Pawnee, TX passed away on January 29, 2017 at home surrounded by her family. Carmen was born on August 12, 1937 in Bleiblerville, TX to the late Rudolph H. and Norma  Sturm Bayer.  On March 27, 1959 she married Donald Hines in Castroville,TX.  She enjoyed 58 years with the man of her dreams and together they built a life of farming and ranching. She also enjoyed sewing, quilting and creating patterns of new designs.   She retired from the F.B.I after 30 years of service, was a member of the First Baptist Church in Pawnee, where she loved to sing and was on numerous committees.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph H and Norma Sturm Bayer; a brother, Ralph Bayer and a granddaughter Amelia Mayfield.  She is survived by her loving husband, Donald Hines; daughters, Donna Bartels and husband Hilmer of MCQueeny,and the father of her children Donald Rylant, Cynthia Mayfield and husband Paul of La Vernia; sons, William Hines of LaVernia, mother of his sons Jennifer Hines, William’s special friend Lisa Hellman, James Hines and wife Marla of Yukon, OK; sister, Dorothy Kothman of Dime Box; 11 grandchildren Dawna and Dustin Poe, Dana and Jason Austin , Katie and Luke Ryan, Matthew Mayfield, William Cody Hines, William Beau Hines, Craig Drury Hines, Cheyenne Hines, Channa Hines, Chalee Hines and Chelsey Hines.   9 great-grandchildren, Hayden, Jayden, Emma, Liam, Whitney, Anastasia, Cierra, Dylan and Charlie.  Numerous nieces and nephews.  Family Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 1, 2017 from 6PM to 8PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be held Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 2PM at the Pawnee First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jeff Brewer officiating.  Interment will follow in the Pawnee Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the Pawnee First Baptist Church.  Pallbearers will be Douglas Ellisor, Henry Pullin, Daniel Andrews, Samuel Andrews, Earl Bayer,

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.