Lillian Hilma Monson age 94 of Kenedy died Feb. 17, 2015 .  Lillian was born in Kenedy Mar. 27, 1920 to F.O. & Anna Swensk Monson.  She is survived by her foster brother Charlesw (Alice) Johnson, Nephew Edward (Janet) Monson, Niece Dianna Monson, Great nieces Patricia (Randy) Morgan, Kathrytn (Michael) DuClos, Marie (Liz) Hahler, Donna & Philip Monson.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Brother Hilmer & his wife Elsie Monson, Sister & her husband Johnnie & Luella Peterson, Nephews Lawrence Monson, Mauritz Monson, Niece Dorothy & her husband Tom Hahler, Great nephew Ted Hahler.

A visitation will be held Thur. February 19^th. At the Eckols Chapel from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.  Funeral services will be Friday, Feb. 20^th. At 11:00 AM at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Interment w ill follow  at the Elim Cemetery.

James A. Stewart died peacefully in his sleep on February 5, 2015, one day short of his 95^th birthday.  The fifth child of Ollie Bull and Maude Stewart, James was born on February 6, 1920, in Kenedy, Texas.  Shortly after, they make their home in Karnes City, where he proudly called home for the rest of his life.  He is preceded in death by his sister Irene Sawyer, and brothers Brainard, Virgil and Edward.  After graduating from Karnes City High School, he received a music scholarship to attend college in Denton, TX. However, college was cut short with the outbreak of WWII when he joined the armed forces. He was assigned to the 36^th Texas Division of the U.S. Army and deployed to North Africa and Italy.  James was a decorated veteran as well as a member of the Army band.

After 5 years of service and the end of WWII, James returned to Karnes City and soon met the love of his life of 69 years, June Killingsworth.   He had a hardware store for a short while, before he and June opened Stewart Avenue Cleaners.  He and June worked side-by-side for many years offering this service to the community.

A patient, kind and loving husband and dad, he is survived by his wife June; his three sons and their wives, Ronnie and Nancy, Buddy and Marnie, and Gerald and Karen.  He was also devoted to his four grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

With a strong Christian faith being central in his life, James was an active leader in his church and the community.  He was a member of the Karnes City United Methodist Church for 89 years and was involved in several civic organizations including Jaycees, Masons, Chamber of Commerce, volunteer fire department, 4H club and Boy Scouts.  In retirement he enjoyed fishing, golf, gardening and having coffee with his many local friends.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10:00 on Saturday at United Methodist Church in Karnes City.  The family welcomes all to attend and celebrate the life of their beloved husband, father and grandfather.

John Anthony Estrada, age 17of Kenedy, TX passed away on Feb. 3, 2015.  He was born on July 26, 1997 in Beeville, TX to Santos Salinas and Rachel Estrada.  He as a cook at the Back Yard Bar and Grill in Kenedy.

He is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Ramon Salinas and an aunt Alvina Arenal.

He is survived by his mother Rachel Estrada Salinas of Kenedy; father Santos Salinas of Karnes City; sisters, Alyssa Nicole Sauceda of Kenedy, Janie Raquel Salinas of Kenedy, Rosa Nelda DeLaPaz of Kingsville; brothers, Moreno Louise Salinas of Kenedy, Santiago Santos Salinas of Karnes City, TX, maternal grandmother Alvina Estrada of Kenedy, Maternal grandfather Bernave Estrada, Jr. of Garden, AK Paternal grandmother Beatrice  Salinas of Karnes City and uncles Bernave Estrada, III and Juan Estrada of Kenedy.

A Prayer Service will be held Fri. Feb. 6, 2015 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Services will be Sat. Feb. 7, 2015 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow in the Choate Cemetery in Choate, TX.

Rodolfo “Rudy” Cruz, Sr., Age 68 of Kenedy, TX passed away on Thur. Jan.29, 2015 in Victoria, TX.  He was born on July 4, 1946 in Karnes City, TX to the late Gumecindo, Sr. and Yrenia Sauceda Cruz.  He was a retired heavy equipment operator and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

Rudy is preceded in death by his parents Gumecindo, Sr. and Yrenia Sauceda Cruz; sister Petra Cruz Rodriguez; brothers, Crespin Perez, Cruz, Sr., and Felipe Cruz, Sr.

He is survived by his daughters, Pamela Hernandez and husband Jesus of Kenedy, Christi Rangel of Kenedy; sons, Rudy Cruz, Jr. and wife Alesha of Kenedy, Simon Cruz and wife Rose Marie of Kenedy; sisters, Connie Aguero  of Karnes City, Cynthia Cruz-Rosales o Karnes City; brothers, Eugenio Perez-Cruz of Bloomington, Joe Cruz, Sr. of Karnes City, Daniel Cruz of Karnes City, Pablo Cruz, Sr. of Karnes City, Rick Cruz of Karnes City, Gumecindo Cruz, Jr. of Kenedy; 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

A Rosary will be recited Fri. Jan 30, 2015 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Sat. Jan. 31, 2015 at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating.  Interment will follow in the New Bremen Cemetery.

Diamentina “Tina” Perez Rivera, Age 83 of Kenedy, TX passed away on January 21, 2015 in Karnes City, TX.  She was born on November 21, 1931 in Runge, TX to the late Francisco and Porfiria Gonzales Perez.  She was a homemaker and a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents Francisco and Porfiria Perez.

She is survived by her daughters; Sylvia Aguerro and husband Albert of Kenedy, Angie Caballero of Runge, sons; Robert Castro and wife Elida of San Antonio, David Perez of San Antonio, Enrique Perez and wife Dianna of Runge, Joe Perez of Runge, Martin Perez of San Antonio, Michael Garcia of Brady, a brother Tom Perez of Kenedy and 28 Grandchildren, 20 Grt-Grandchildren, and 2 Grt-Grt Grandchildren.

A Rosary will be recited Monday, January 26, 2015 at 7 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be Tues. January 26, 2015 at 10 A.M. at St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Runge, TX with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating.  Interment will follow in the Runge Cemetery, Runge, TX.

Esperanza DeLosSantos Carrillo Moreno, Age 75 of Runge, TX passed away on January 21, 2015 in San Antonio, TX.  She was born on February 28, 1939 in Runge, TX to the late Juan, Sr. and Felipa Cortez DeLosSantos. She was a retired custodian for the Pettus I.S.D. and a faithful member of the Heavenly Gates Family Worship Center in Runge.

She is preceded in death by her parents Juan, Sr. and Felipa Cortez DeLosSantos; a sister, Vicenta DeLosSantos Rios; brothers; Baldomero DeLosSantos, Ruben DeLosSantos, Arnulfo DeLosSantos, Emmitt DeLosSantos, Juan DeLosSantos,  and Samuel DeLosSantos.

She is survived by her husband Paul Moreno of Runge; daughters, Abigail Brown and husband Dave of Pawnee, Rachel Ann Vera and husband Lou of Pettus, Deborah Carrillo and husband W. Spivey of Boerne; sons, Joe Lee Carrillo and wife Betty Jo of Tuleta, J.D. Carrillo and wife Annie of Pettus; sisters, Lucy Charles of Runge, Aurora Renteria of Amarillo, Nena DeLosSantos Albert of Mission Valley; brothers, Gilberto DeLosSantos of Runge, Rudolfo DeLosSantos of Elmendorf, Juan DeLosSantos, Jr. of Kenedy; grandchildren, Jordan Hope Vera, Kelsey Varie Brown, Austin Carrillo, Sabrina Doe Vera, Clay Davis Brown, Destiny Jean Carrillo, Ruby Red Vera, John Jacob Carrillo, Jolie Christiania Carrillo, Matthew Carrillo, T., Jarran Diego Carrillo, Jaquelene O’maley Carrillo and great  granddaughter Allison Carrillo.

A Prayer Service will be held Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 7 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Services will be Monday, January 26, 2015 at 10 A.M. at Choate Pentecost Church in Choate, TX with the Rev. Robert Charles officiating. Interment will follow in the Runge Cemetery in Runge, TX.

Edwin Paul Ruhmann, III was born in Kenedy, Texas on February 9, 1929 and died on January 14, 2015 at the age of 85.  He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jeanne Russell Ruhmann, his son James Russell Ruhmann and his wife Yvonne of Cotulla, Texas, grandsons Zachary (Lauren) of Pleasanton, Texas and Trenton of Cotulla. He was preceded in death by his parents E. P. Ruhmann, Jr. and Grayce Reasoner Ruhmann and his son Edwin Paul Ruhmann, IV.  He lived in Kenedy his entire life with the exception of 2 years of military service in the U.S. Army  during the Korean War. Ed attended Texas A & M University and graduated in 1950.  He was an avid follower of anything Aggie.  He served as a Director of the 12th Man Foundation for over 15 years and as the Area Representative for the Association of Former Students.  Ed farmed for many years near Pawnee.  He and his wife Jeanne owned and operated the Southern Office Supply in Kenedy for over 40 years.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he served as Deacon and taught Sunday School for many years.  He was a member of the Rotary Club where he served as President, a member of the Kenedy Lodge #774 serving as the Past Master for 50 years.  He served as Director of the First Nichols National Bank for a number of years. Ed served on the Kenedy ISD board for over 15 years and supported all school activities his entire life.  He served on the Hondo Creek Watershed Board for a number of years and as a county member of the Texas Veterans Land Board.  He was a member of the Alzafar Shriners in San Antonio for many years.   Ed and Jeanne were chosen as Citizens of the Year in 2011 by the Kenedy Chamber of Commerce. Ed loved the outdoors.  He spent many hours on his ranch near Cotulla hunting and raising cattle.  He raised both of his sons to respect nature, and as a grandfather, taught his grandsons much of his knowledge of the ranching life, how to hunt and care for everything on the ranch.  Ed’s life touched many people, and he will be missed by all. The family will receive friends Saturday, January 17, 2015 beginning at 12 Noon until 2 PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Services will begin Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 2 PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Matt Singleton officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery, Kenedy, TX. Serving as pallbearers will be Zachary Ruhmann, Trenton Ruhmann, Gary Heirholtzer, Ed Ebrom, Mike Andrews, Gene Lake, Glen Kusak. Honorary pallbearers will be Tony Garrant, Bob Alexander, Dick Franklin, Frank Knocke, Amos Hardin, Malcolm Williams, Bob Smith, Earl Grant, George Rogers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Baptist Church in Kenedy, Choate Baptist Church, Humane Society of Kenedy, Christian Life Center for Food in Kenedy or the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets.

Hubert Henry Hughes, age 61 of Mont Belvieu, Texas formerly of Choate, Texas passed away on January 10, 2015 in Baytown, Texas. Hubert was born on March 11, 1953 in Corpus Christi, Texas to the late Otis Daniel Hughes and Eva Noreen Doreck-Hudson.  He was retired from the Agricultural & Trucking Industry.  Hubert was a member of the First Christian Church in Pettus, Texas where he married Debra Ann Dunn on June 22, 1973.

He is preceded in death by his parents Otis Daniel Hughes and Eva Noreen Doreck-Hudson and a brother, Cecil Daniel Hughes.

He is survived by his wife Debra Ann Hughes of Mont Belvieu, Texas; daughter Melissa Hall and her husband Wes of Mont Belvieu, Texas; sister Bobbie Young of Danbury, Texas; a brother Ernie Hughes of Lake Jackson, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends beginning at 12 noon until 2 PM on Thursday, January 15, 2015 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Services will begin at 2 PM with the Pastor Paul Lowe officiating.  Interment will follow in the Choate Cemetery in Choate, Texas.

Serving as pallbearers will be Wes Hall, Allen Dunn, David Staples, Mike Young, Andy Dunn and Charlie Bush

Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church of Baytown, Texas located at 201 Forrest Ave., Baytown, Texas 77520.

 John Donald Franklin

John D “Don” Franklin was born in San Antonio, Texas on March 26, 1948 and was called home on Dec. 31, 2014 at the age of 66.  Don grew up in Kenedy, Texas and graduated from Kenedy High School in 1966, and then attended Texas A & M University for a short while, but still called himself an Aggie.  He attended Texas A & I University for two years and, as he said, “finally graduated” from Sul Ross University on December 14, 2013 at the age of 65.

Don married his high school sweetheart, Becky Lynn Bates, on August 8, 1970.  Becky and Don moved to Katy, Texas in 1982.  Don was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.  He was a member and deacon at Kingsland Baptist Church in Katy.

Don was an avid fan of his family.  He loved to watch his sons’ athletic events and attended countless banquets and awards ceremonies. This tradition continued with his grandchildren as he rarely missed a game, ceremony or event.  Cheering his family on and celebrating their accomplishments was his passion and he will continue to watch over them from his new home.

The outdoors and hunting are a family tradition that Don embodied.  He dearly loved the outdoors and hunting with his sons and grandchildren.  Whether it was hunting on the Huajuco Ranch with his sons, hunting muleys in West Texas with his grand-daughter, or hunting whitetail in South Texas with his grand-son, Don fostered a spirit of faith, family, conservation and the outdoors.  He often said “I never feel closer to God than when I am enjoying the outdoors.”

Don is survived by his wife Becky, his father and mother-in-law Marshall and Helen Bates, his oldest son Michael and spouse Carol, their children Mollie and Braden, his younger son John and spouse Sarah, their daughter Avery, his older brother Richard H. Franklin of Amarillo, his younger sister D’Anne and her husband John Conrad of League City along with their children and grandchildren, and his sister-in-law Tonja Franklin of Washougal, Washington and cousins.

A graveside service will  be held at the  Kenedy Cemetery   in Kenedy, Texas on Saturday,  January 3, 2015, at 12:30 PM under the direction of Eckols Funeral Home, 402 West Live Oak Street, Kenedy, Texas, 78119 – Phone 830-583-2533.

A memorial service will be held at Kingsland Baptist Church in Katy, Texas on Monday, January 5^th, 2015  at 4 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center (gifts.mdanderson.org).  Notes of sympathy may be sent to the family at 23038 Vallingby Drive Katy, Tx. 77450.

Benny Lee Henderson, age 68, of Ecleto, TX passed away on December 26, 2014 in Beeville, TX.  He was born on November 27, 1946 to the late Olen Ray and Alice B. Chisum Henderson.  He was veteran of the US ARMY, a retired Lights Salesman and of the Methodist Faith.

He is preceded in death by his parents Olen Ray and Alice B. chisum Henderson.

He is survived by his wife Linda Salinas Henderson of Ecleto; daughters, Julie Haliburton and husband Ray of Sanger, Amy Louise Hues and husband Mount Belvieu, Carrie Alice Pittman and husband David of Tulsa, OK, Traci Sanderson of, Angela Molina of Austin, Amanda Molina of Austin; sons Brett Lee Henderson of Pasadena, Matthew B. Henderson of Ecleto, David Deleon of Austin; sister, Judy Cline and husband Bill of Conroe; brother,  Don Henderson and wife Jan of Portland, and numerous grandchildren.

Visitation will be Thur. Jan 1, 2015 from 6PM to 8PM in the Eckols Funeral Chapel.   Graveside Services will be Friday, Jan. 2, 2015 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 10:15 AM in San Antonio, TX with Military Honors.