Jerry Rodriguez, 75, of Orange, Texas, passed away on November 9, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.  Born in Beeville, Texas, on July 17, 1949, he was the son of Andres Rodriguez and Lina Villarreal. He was married to Odelia Rodriguez Hernandez, to this union there were two children, Lilly Ann Dove Rodriguez and Sue Ann Rodriguez. In the 1970’s, Jerry moved his family to Minnesota. He started his career for the Metro Transit Bus Company as a mechanic, where he retired after 35 years. Jerry proudly served in the United States Air Force. He loved his grandchildren as if they were his own. Jerry enjoyed watching Yellowstone and the Dallas Cowboys. You could find him watching pro wrestling, Stone Cold Steve Austin, or western movies, John Wayne, or the Wheel of Fortune. Jerry often loved doing home improvement projects and working on cars especially a 57” Chevy. Jerry loved visting family, traveling, and retirement. He was a loving brother, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather and will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.  Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Andres Rodriguez and Lina Villarreal; and brothers-in-law, Larry Hunter and Leon Villarreal.  Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Odelia Rodriguez; daughters, Lilly Ann Dove Rodriguez and Sue Ann Rodriguez; grandchildren, Enriqué Robinson (Ricky), Myrcedez Dove, and Daunte Dove; siblings, Andres Rodriquez, Jr. and wife Lulu, Diana Rodriquez, Mary Alice Hall and husband Archie, John Rodriguez, Stella Villarreal.

Memorial Services will be held from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m., Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Eckols Funeral Home at 420 W. Live Oak St. Kenedy, Texas, 78119. Officiating will be Deacon Guadalupe Cantu.

Reda Jean Gonzalez Smothers, 79, was born April 27, 1945, to Albert and Evelyn Gonzalez.  She passed away on October 31, 2024. Reda is preceded in death by both of her parents, her brother, Joseph Gonzalez and her stepmother, Frances (Gussi) Gonzalez. Reda was survived by her children, Ryan Strohl (Joy Ramos) of Sugar Land, Texas, Shannon Clinard (Nathan Moy) of Karnes City, Texas and Shane Lipham (Courtney) of Pinehurst, Texas, as well as her grandchildren, Penelope Strohl, Artemisa Lipham, Caelum James (CJ) Lipham and Maverick Lipham.  She is also survived by special family Trenton, Luke and Leah Moy, as well as her many beloved, longtime friends. Reda was born in Lubbock, Texas, living in Graham, Texas but found her love for water and sunshine when the family moved to Florida when she was young.  After receiving her degree from Florida State University, Reda taught school and began her family.  She always loved Florida and her treasured friends there but found her way back to Texas around 1980 when she moved to Houston. When arriving in Houston, Reda continued teaching and embarked on a nearly 40-year career in the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District, where she retired then returned to the classroom, as she missed her students and teaching associates. Reda loved her children and her grandchildren very much.  Her friendships were an extraordinary testament to her love for people, as they lasted her lifetime.  She will be remembered by many as a remarkable mother, grammy, friend and teacher who instilled wonderful life values.  She will forever be cherished and missed.  Her love was a blessing to many. Special thanks from our family goes to the dear people at Bedford Residence in Stafford, Texas, who cared for her as if she were their family.  Words cannot express how thankful we are for their dedication and service.

A visitation will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024, from 9-11am at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy, Texas.  A Burial Service will follow at the Karnes City Cemetery.

A Memorial Service to honor and remember Reda will be held on an upcoming date in Houston, Texas.

Pauline Adele (Karm) Graumann: December 16, 1930 – October 29, 2024
Pauline “Polly” Graumann, 93, of Kenedy, TX died from complications associated with heart failure at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, TX on October 29, 2024. She was born in Gonzales, TX to Arthur and Ida (Wilson) Karm. Polly was the third of six children. She graduated Valedictorian of her class from Refugio High School in 1948 before marrying Clarence Graumann in December of the same year. Polly spent decades working at the Seller’s Drug Store on Main Street in Kenedy while raising four active boys and welcoming her grandchildren. She spent countless hours taking care of family and friends, sewing and quilting up a storm. All who knew her vied for at least one of her quilt creations. Polly was preceded in death by her son Johnny, her husband Clarence, her sisters Evelyn Martin and Gladys Henson, and her brother Roland Karm. She is survived by her children, Bruce and his wife Jody, Stephen, and Clifford and his wife Rose, her sisters Helen Buckley and Wilma Parker, four grandchildren, five great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren.
Service will be held on Saturday, November 2nd, 2:00 pm at Eckols Funeral Home, 420 W Live Oak St, Kenedy, TX 78119. Flowers welcome.

Tomas G. Perez, Sr. Age 91 of Karnes City, TX passed away Thursday, October 24, 2024 in San Antonio, TX surrounded by his loving family.  Tomas was born on October 20, 1933 in Runge, TX to the late Francisco and Porfiria Gonzalez Perez.  He married Conchita “Meemo” Navarro Perez. He is preceded in death by his wife  Conchita “Meemo” Navarro Perez of 59 years.  Tomas served his country proudly in the US ARMY, retired as a long-haul truck driver and later in life a real estate agent.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a devout catholic who will be greatly missed.  Tomas is preceded in death by his parents, Francisco and Porfiria Gonzales Perez; loving wife, Conchita “Meemo” Navarro Perez, great-grandson, Arlo Parra and a sister, Diamentina Perez Rivera.  He is survived by his children: Theresa M. Andy of Normanna, TX and Irene Perez of Karnes City, TX; her son, Tom (Irma Stella) Perez Jr. of Kenedy, TX; granddaughters: Connie J. Andy, Theresa J. Andy, Lisa Marie Perez and Marina E. Deleon, Amanda Daniels; great-grandchildren: Draven Morales, Eric Morales, Anthony Ruiz, Shelby Daniels, Corbin Daniels, Camila Barraza, Liam Ruiz, Grayzon Ruiz, Dominic Ruiz and numerous extended family members and friends.

A Holy Rosary will be recited Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 7:00PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, October 28, 2024 at  Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church at 10:00 AM with the Rev. Robert Ploch officiating.  Interment will follow in the Runge Latin Cemetery in Runge, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers will be: Robert Castro, Ricky Perez, Alfredo Castallenos, Jacob Perez, Martin Perez, and Nick Navarro.

Wayne Gail Creek, Age 82 of Karnes City, TX passed away on October 22, 2024 in San Antonio, TX.  Wayne was born on August 31, 1942 in Lampasas, Tx to the late Jack and Lorraine Bradley Creek.  He married Barbara Waltersdorff on June 6, 1970, was a retired mechanic a loving husband, father, grandfather and a member of First Baptist Church Karnes City.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Lorraine Bradley Creek.  He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Creek; daughter, Roberta Crow and husband Richard; son, Dewayne Creek; brother, Roy Krempien; grandchildren, Charles Crow, Stephan Crow, Christopher Crow and a host of family and friends.

Family visitation will be Friday, October 25, 2024 from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Services beginning at 2:00 P.M with the Rev. Nate Ingles officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Carl Wozniak, Age 64 of Kenedy, TX passed away on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at home in Kenedy.  Carl was born on July 14, 1960 in San Antonio, TX to the late Mike and Rebecca Alcantar Wozniak.  He married Maria A. Guerra on January 14, 1978 in Kenedy. Carl retired as a parts and salesman for Red Ewald in Karnes City, was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and of the Christian Faith who will be deeply missed.  Carl is preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Rebecca Alcantar Wozniak and a son Carl Wozniak, Jr.  Carl is survived by his loving wife, Maria A. Wozniak of Kenedy, daughters, Shevon Ramirez and husband Randy of Runge, Veronica Hinojosa and husband Joshua of Kenedy; son, Amos Wozniak and wife Lola of Kenedy; sister, Kathy Vera of Dallas; brothers, Mike Wozniak of Karnes City, Danny Martinez of San Antonio, 6 grandchildren; Ian Ramirez, Alanna Ramirez, Melina Ramirez, Jaeden Hinojosa, Bryson Hinojosa, Atraeu Hinojosa, and numerous extended family members.

Visitation will be Friday October 25, 2024 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 P.M. in the Eckols Chapel.  Services will be Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. with Graveside Services following in the Loma Alta Cemetery with the Rev. Walter Hill, III officiating.

Serving as Pallbearers: Amos Wozniak, Ian Ramirez, Jaeden Hinojosa, Danny Leal, Mike Perales, Alex Reyes, Tony Cardona and Henry Janssen.

Honorary Pallbearers are: Bryson Hinojosa,  Atraeu Hinojosa, Joshua Hinojosa, and Randy Ramirez

Jody Marie (Spencer) McClendon, age 47 of Karnes City, TX passed away October 4, 2024 in San Antonio, TX.  Jody was born to the late Ernest James Spencer Sr. and Evelyn Ray (Perkins) Spencer.  She is married to Corey McClendon. Jody was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who believed in Jesus Christ. She is preceded in death by her father Ernest James Spencer Sr., her mother Evelyn Ray (Perkins) Spencer, sister Edith Spencer and her nephews Devan Leroy Haynes and Rudy James Spencer Jr. She is survived by her son Dontrell Lyons of Karnes City, TX, daughter Ebony Lyons husband Marcus Price of Corpus Christi, TX, son Aaron Smith of Victoria, TX, son John Ernest Kinney of Karnes City, TX, grandchildren Tashon Lyons, Alvin Lyons, and Amari Price. Sisters Jackie Spencer and husband Collins of Atkins, TX, Yukiko Spencer of Monroe LA, Evelyn Spencer of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Terry Spencer Haynes of Karnes City, TX, Ernestine Spencer of San Antonio, TX, brother Ernest Spencer Jr. and wife Jessica of Karnes City, TX, sister Annie Glenn of Karnes City, TX, brother Rudy Spencer of Karnes City. TX, A host of nieces and nephews, and cousins. God saw she was getting tired and a cure was not to be, so he put his arms around her and whispered come and live with me. With tear filled eyes we watched her suffering and slowly fading away although we loved her dearly, we could not make her stay. A golden heart stopped beating; hardworking hands are laid to rest.  God broke our hearts to prove to us he only takes the best.

Celebration of Life Services will be Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 2PM in the Eckols Chapel with the Rev. Daniel B. Garza officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery.

Serving as Pallbearers: Collins Haynes, David Glenn, Brandon Spencer, Allen Brown, Clifton Spencer, Lester Kinney, Kenneth Glenn and Ernest Spencer, Jr.

Honorary Pallbearers are: Jackie Spencer, Ernestine Spencer, Yukiko Spencer, Ernest Spencer, Jr., Evelyn Spencer, Annie Glenn, Terry Haynes Spencer and Rudy Spencer.

Jay E. Baker, 96, of Kenedy, Texas, passed away on September 26, 2024. He was born in Choate, Texas, on April 22, 1928, to Collie and Ada Hunt Baker.  He attended Choate and Kenedy schools, graduating in 1946. He met Lois Rice at Baker’s store in the Choate community, and they started dating after she graduated from high school.  Jay E. married Lois on Veterans Day, November 11,1950, just before he joined the U.S. Army and deployed to Korea during the Korean War. When he returned, they settled in Choate, working in Baker’s Store and on their farm. Later, they moved to Farmington, New Mexico, where they started a family and then returned home to Texas. They had two sons, Jay Collie, and Joe E., during their 73-year marriage.  He was employed by Jefferson Chemical Company (later Texaco Chemical Company) for over 20 years, starting as a plant operator and retiring as a lab technician.  Jay E. and Lois operated a cattle ranch in Dripping Springs for many years. After retirement, they moved back to Kenedy and operated a cattle ranch in Choate for over 30 years. They shared their love of the ranch with their family and grandchildren.  Granddaddy, as he was known to his grandchildren, was an amazing farmer, rancher and gardener.  He was known for his strong work ethic and ability to fix anything. But he always had time to spend with his family and friends in outdoor pursuits of hunting, fishing and camping on the family land in Choate. He was a strong supporter of the Choate Cemetery, spending countless days helping with maintenance and improvements to the Cemetery. He dearly loved his family and watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren grow.  Jay E. is preceded in death by his wife, Lois Norene Baker, his parents, Collie and Ada Baker, his sisters, Delsie (Wiley) Jimerson, Elsie Mae (Walter) Barber, Blanche (Wilson) Walker, Nancy (Ben) Dziadowicz, Ada Bea (Bradley) Schroeder and brother, Thomas (Natalie) Baker.  Jay E. is survived by his sons Jay Collie (Denise) Baker and Joe E. (Pamela) Baker, grandchildren Jason (Eleanor) Baker, Jennifer (Marlon) Fowler, William (Hayleigh) Baker, Molly Baker, Andrew Baker and Ada Baker, and great grandchildren Helen Baker, Kaleb Fowler, Collie Baker and Kori Fowler.

Visitation is Friday, October 18, 6-8 pm, at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy, Texas. Funeral services are Saturday, October 19, 10 am, at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy, with interment following at Choate Cemetery in Choate, Texas.

Pastor Bruce Irving will officiate. Pallbearers will be Jason Baker, William Baker, Marlon Fowler, Thomas Jimerson, David Morgan and Gary Morgan.

Donations can be made to Choate Baptist Cemetery Trust, PO Box 56, Kenedy, TX 78119.

Juanita Sanchez,82, of Kenedy, passed away on Monday September 30^th 2024.   Juanita was born on Aug. 21^st, 1942, to Anita and Senon Martinez in Nell, Tx.  She spent her whole life as a farmers daughter then a farmers wife times 2.  She was around cows her entire life so it was always weird for us to realize she was afraid of them.  Juanita had known Ernesto almost her entire life when sparks flew; they went on to get married in 1966 and have 4 children, Sylvia, Joe, Sandra and Amanda.  Ernesto passed in Aug 1986 due to a heart attack.  After Ernesto passed; she ended up in a relationship with Gabriel Lino.  They have been together over 35 years and they have lived mostly in the same place the entire time.  Juanita was a stay-at-home mom most of her life with a few exceptions thrown in to help a friend.  She enjoyed watching Price Is Right, Lets Make a Deal, Walker Texas Ranger and any other western that is on TV.  She LOVED to dance; there wasn’t any cumbia she wouldn’t dance and there was no beat that she wouldn’t tap her fingers or feet to even a little Shoop by Salt N Pepa.  She also loved washing dishes- this is a habit we would have like to have but sadly we did not inherit.  She was a beloved mother, spouse, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, cousin, mother-in-law and friend.  Juanita was predeceased by husband Ernesto Sanchez, Parents, Anita & Senon Martinez, Brother, Atilano Martinez, and stepchildren, Ernesto Jr. and Mary Luera.  She is survived by Gabriel (spouse), children, Sylvia (Luis), Joe (Sandra), Sandra (Royce), Amanda (Anthony), Stepchildren, John Lino (Amy), Robert, Sel, and Israel Sanchez, Lala Dykes and Alice Ramos, Sister, Marty (Bob) Kimbrell.  She also leaves behind a lot of grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, in laws, and friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 5PM to 7PM with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, October 4, 2024 at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church  with the Rev. Robert Ploch officiating.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers will be: Jose Munos, Felis Munos, Brandon Garza, Andy Garza, Ernesto Jeffrey, and Juan Gutierrez.

Mary Alvear Villanueva, Age 89 of Kenedy, TX passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at home surrounded by her loving family.  Mary was born on September 1, 1935 in Kenedy to the late Miguel and Maria Herrera Alvear.  She was loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.  Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Miguel and Maria Herrera Alvear; husband, Jesus P. Villanueva; daughter, Virginia Hinojosa; brothers, Miguel Alvear and Zoilo Alvear.  Mary is survived by her children, Lupe(Ambrosio) Colchado of Kenedy, Rosie Cortez of Kenedy, Janie(Alex) Rodriguez of Kenedy, Dina(Dean) Tollefson of Victoria, Leticia Prieto of Kenedy, Jesus(Sheley) Villanueva of Kenedy, Frank Villanueva of Kenedy, Eugene(Ruby) Villanueva of Kenedy, Martin(Melanie) Villanueva of Kenedy; sister, Olga Segura of Houston and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family members.

A Holy Rosary will be recited Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, September 27, 2024 at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Robert Ploch officiating.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers: Josh Villanueva, Gino Villanueva, Timothy Perez, Jr., Freddy Cortez, Alex Rodriguez, Nathen Kinchloe, Dean Tollefson and Eli Villanueva.

Honorary Pallbearers: Marc Cruz, Adrian Villanueva and Brandon Villanueva.