Eric Edwin Fransen, Sr., 86, of Kenedy, peacefully entered eternal rest with Jesus on Monday, February 15, 2016. Eric was born December 11, 1929 in Kenedy, TX to the late Henry R. and Lillie V. Fransen. He was married 61 years to his one and only sweetheart, Elizabeth Ann Richter Fransen, who passed away two months ago.

Eric was also preceded in death by his parents, his sister Freda Grisham, and two baby brothers, Paul and Robert Fransen.

He is survived by his daughters, Wanda Brown and husband Charlie of Kenedy, Brenda Taylor and husband Rick of Kenedy; sons, Eric Fransen, Jr. and wife Fran of Kenedy, Robby Fransen and wife Rachel of Selma, CA, Kirby Fransen and wife Pam of Seguin; sisters Ruth Jones of Austin and Linda Fransen of Sweden; brother, John Fransen and wife Joyce of Kenedy, grandchildren, Philip Brown, Travis Brown, Katelyn Hopson, Robin Fransen-Serio, Eric Fransen, III, Rebecca Fransen, Cody Fransen, Alex Fransen, Boyd Fransen, Dale Fransen, Elizabeth Fransen, Hannah Fransen, Bradley Fransen, Matthew Fransen, Kimberly Fransen; great-grandchildren, Joseph Brown, Ryder Brown, Emma Brown, Maddie Brown, and Evelynn Fransen.

Eric grew up working on his family’s farm. He was a member of the Kenedy High School class of 1948. He met Ann when he was eleven years old, and it must have been love at first sight. They married in Kenedy on June 28, 1954.

Eric served two years in the U.S. Army, then he and Ann moved to his farm west of Kenedy, where he worked the land, raised collie puppies, and welcomed five children. He also raised and sold registered Polled Hereford cattle and seed for Douglas King Seed Company. He and his brother farmed a total of 1100 acres. In 1968, he went to work for General Mills as a maintenance mechanic and moved his family to a smaller farm inside the city limits of Kenedy.

Eric was a loving, devoted husband and father who worked hard and unfailingly provided for his family. He lived a simple, unassuming, and righteous life. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and always enjoyed listening to old-time gospel music and good preaching.

Eric was 100% Swedish and very frugal. He had a mechanical mind and skilled hands. He could fix anything. He had a passion for tractors, old cars, and junk. He loved home cooking, spending time with his family, and hunting for good deals.

Reading the newspaper was another of Eric’s favorite pastimes. He especially liked the comics; and while he often appeared to be reserved, those who knew him well were privileged to witness his keen sense of dry humor.

Eric’s life was a wholesome example to his children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed, but he is now rejoicing in Heaven with his beloved wife.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 19, 2016 from 5PM to 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral service will be held Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 10AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Interment will follow in the Karnes County Memorial Park Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Milton “Slim” Remmers, Sr. age 86 of Runge died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. Slim  ,was born July 14, 1929 to Julius & Alma Wenzel Remmers.  Slim married Ruby Schultz Apr. 6, 1952 in Kenedy.  He was a oil field guager and a member of the Lutheran Church in Runge.

He is survived by his daughter Janice (Jerry) Winter of El Campo, Sons Milton (Vicky) Remmers, Jr. of Port Lavaca, Kerry (Pam) Remmers of Nordheim and Allen (Lisa) Remmers of San Antonio. 12 grandchildren & 18 Great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his 2 sisters, 6 brothers and daughter in law Tara Remmers, great granddaughter Ashley Remmers.

Visitation will be held Wed. Feb. 10^th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Eckols Chapel.  Funeral Services will be held Thursday Feb. 11^th. At 10:00 at the Eckols Chapel with interment will follow in the Runge Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Otto Monecke, Wesley Wells, Cody Remmers, Victor Remmers, Dennis Remmers , Calvin Koenig, Robert Guerrero, & Victor Williams. Honorary Pallbearers Ray Shaw, Cody Watts, Kenneth Foster, Callan Jonas, Aaron Cross, Jack Steves, Chad Buesing , Granddaughters, and Great Grandchildren.

Alfonse L. Kanak age 81 of Pettus died Jan. 31, 2016. He was born April 24, 1934 to Louis & Emily Munsch Kanak who preceded him in death.  Alfonse was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Veteran of US Army, Married Mildred Stuart June 3, 1956 in Pettus.  Alfonse retired from Texaco as a guager in 2006.

Alfonse is survived by his wife Mildred Kanak of Pettus, Sons Clinton (Jimmie) Kanak of Canyon Lake, Kevin Kanak of Corpus Christi, and Kody (Stacy) Kanak of Kenedy, Brothers Tommy (Barbara) Kanak-Kenedy, and Dan Kanak of Victoria. Grandchildren Kellen, Bryce, Kristy, Crail, Kendall.

Visitation will be held Monday, Feb. 1, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Eckols Chapel, Funeral services will be Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Eckols Chapel. Interment will be in the Kenedy Cemetery

Esmerenciana Alvarado Escamilla, Age 81 of Pawnee, TX passed away Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016 in Pawnee, TX. She was born on April 23, 1934 in Pawnee to the late Gerardo and Agapita Garcia Alvarado. On Aug. 9, 1959 she married Reducindo V. Escamilla who preceded her in death on Jan. 9, 2002.  She retired from Pawnee ISD and was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband Reducindo V. Escamilla, Sr.; her parents, Gerardo and Agapita Garcia Alvarado; sisters, Marcella Gonzales, Elena De Bosque, Anita Trevino; brothers, Juan Alvarado, Manuel Alvarado, Gerardo Alvarado, Jose Alvarado and Enrique Alvarado.

She is survived by her daughters, Nora E. Franke and husband Randel of Pawnee, Nelda E. Luna and husband Raymond of Pawnee, Mirella E. Davis and husband Melvin of Pawnee; sons, Rolando Escamilla and wife Sandra of Pawnee, Reducindo Escamilla, Jr and wife Stella of Pawnee, Rudy Escamilla of Pawnee; brother, Benito Alvarado of Corpus Christi, 16 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

A Holy Rosary will be recited Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at 10AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the De Ntra Sra De Guadalupe Cemetery in Pawnee, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Lucas Escamilla, Travis Escamilla, Kalli Escamilla, Moses Escamilla, Luke Escamilla, Corky Franke, Fidel Luna, and Dustin Davis.

Mary Guerra De La Garza, Age 74 of Kenedy, TX passed away on January 19, 2016 in Karnes City, TX.   Mary was born on July 13, 1 941 in Gillett, TX to the late Domingo and Juanita Ramirez Guerra. On April 20, 1963 she married Edward “Wasso” De La Garza in Kenedy.    Mary retired as a Head Culinary Specialist for Kenedy Manor Nursing Home in Kenedy and was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband Edward “Wasso” De La Garza; her parents, Domingo and Juanita Ramirez Guerra; sisters, Julia Garcia, Linda Aguilar; brothers, Roy Guerra, Robert Guerra, Santiago Guerra, Rudy Guerra, Joe Guerra, and Domingo Guerra.

She is survived by her daughters, Diana “DeeDee” Villanueva and husband Gilbert of Karnes City, Sandra De La Garza of Karnes City, Mandy Grullon and husband Chris of San Antonio, Terri De La Garza of Karnes City; son, Eddie De La Garza and wife Sandy of Kenedy; sisters, Isabel Aguilar of Oceano, California, Eva Martinez of Smiley; brother Henry Guerra of Nixon; 8 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

A Holy Rosary will be recited Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, January 22, 2016 at 12Noon at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

A.H. “Petie” Hierholzer, Jr. age 88 of Fashing died Sunday, January 17, 2016 in Karnes City. He was born June 24, 1927 in Fashing to A.H. &  Clementine Wahl Hierholzer, Sr.   Petie was a member of Fashing United Methodist Church and a farmer & rancher.  He married Josephine Walleck January 1, 1949 in Fashing.

Petie is survived by his wife Josephine, two son Wayne (Charlene) Hierholzer, Gary Hierholzer all of Karnes City, daughter Ruth Ann Rowland of Austin One sister Katie Reader of San Antonio. Grandchildren Joi  Ernst, Jodi and Jayson Hierholzer, and Jacob (Hannah) Hierholzer,  Great grandchildren Briley & Kacelyn Ernst.

Visitation will be held Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in the Eckols Chapel. Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 20^th. At 10:00 AM at the Eckols Chapel.  Interment will be in the Fashing Cemetery.  Memorials may be given to your choice .

Dorothy E. Cooper age 85 passed away Jan. 10, 2016 in Houston,TX . She was formerly of Seguin and Kenedy, Tx. Dorothy was born in Riverside, CA to John & Mae Hammett.  She married T.J. Cooper Jan. 22, 1955 in Los Angles and he preceded her in death Sept. 9, 2012.  Dorothy was a RN working in hospitals and Dr.’s officers for 35 years.

She is survived by her daughter,r Terri Bell; son, Thomas John Cooper; Sister, Norma Gardiner; Granddaughters, Reese and Ryann Bell, and Great-Grandson Thomas James Cooper.

A Graveside Services will be held Thursday, January 14, 2016 in the Kenedy Cemetery with Dr. Tom Warner officiating.

Carlos Basaldu, Age 58 raised in Kenedy, TX passed away Jan. 3, 2016 in San Antonio, TX. Carlos was born on October 23, 1957 in Galveston, TX to Rosendo Basaldu, Sr. and Yolanda Rodriguez. He was a loving father, son, brother, uncle and of the Catholic Faith.

He is survived by his mother, Yolanda Rodriguez; sons, Carlos Gonzales, Jesse James Perez, Michael Basaldu, Carlos Basaldu, Christopher Basaldu; sisters, Yolanda Krueger, Lucinda DeLaPaz, Dora Ann Esparza, Yolanda Allen, Isabel Basaldu-Prado, Maria Basaldu; brothers, Rosendo Basaldu, Jr., Andres Garcia, Jr., Victor Garcia, Enriquez Basaldu and 11 Grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his step-father Andres Garcia, Sr. and father Rosendo Basaldu, Sr.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 7, 2016 from 6PM to 8PM with A Rosary will being recited at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be Friday, January 8, 2016 at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating. Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Allen Hedtke age 79 of Coy City passed away January 2, 2016 at his home. He was born in Coy City to Gus & Viola Tiemann Hedtke Dec. 30, 1936.

Allen was a veteran of the US Air Force, and a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and worked for Valero, Costal States, and was a Crop adjuster with Wells Fargo, and farmer & rancher.

Allen is preceded in death by his parents, wife Judy Donnell Hedtke, and daughter Vickie Lynn Hedtke.

He is survived by his adopted son Thomas Sailer, and by his brother Larry (Beverly) Hedtke of Karnes City and his children, Wade Hedtke, and Garrett (Ashley) Hedtke. His sister Ruby Seeger of New Braunfels, and her children, Terrell (Stacey) Seeger, Jerry (Kelli) Seeger, James Seeger, and Bob (Kathy) Seeger.

A visitation will be held January 6^th. From 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Eckols Chapel.  Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Eckols Chapel.  Interment will be in the New Bremen Cemetery.

Roger Allen Overby, 80, of Kenedy, Texas passed away on January 2, 2016 after a month long illness. He was born on August 23^rd, 1935 in Pawnee, Texas.  He is preceded in death by his parents Ernest “Butch” and Alma Overby.  He married Farris Schmidt on December 22, 1962 in Somerset, Texas, recently celebrating 53 years of marriage.

Roger graduated from Pawnee High School and received his undergraduate degree and his Master’s degree from Southwest Texas State University. He began his career in education in coaching however soon became an administrator of Special Education for nine school districts, a position he held until his retirement in 2000.

Roger was a member of the Pawnee United Methodist Church. He was past president of Kenedy Little League.  He was a board member of TexStar Federal Credit Union.   Past member of Kenedy Jaycees.

He is survived by his wife Farris Overby; his son Kerwin Overby and his wife, Anne, of Kerrville, Texas; his twin sons, Landon Overby and his wife, Lisa, and Diron Overby and his wife, Kimberly, all of Cypress, Texas; his grandchildren Kaitlyn of Houston, Zachary at UT, Madeline at Ole Miss, Sidney, Dylan, Drew, Megan and Ashlyn all of Cypress; his brother Keith of Corpus Christi; and his four nieces.

A family visitation will be held at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy on Tuesday, January 5^th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 6^th at the First Baptist Church in Kenedy with visitation luncheon and graveside services to follow.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Pawnee United Methodist Church PO Box 526 Pawnee, TX 78145 or the George W Dumont Scholarship Fund (non 501 (c)3) 103 Bluebonnet Dr  Kenedy, TX 78119.