Elline Alma Fenner Schmidt, of Kenedy, Texas was born on July 9, 1933 in Lenz, TX to Carl Fenner and Ida Rippstein Fenner passed away on Sept. 16, 2020 at the age of 87.

Mrs. Schmidt grew up in the Lenz community then her family moved to Kenedy. She graduated from Kenedy High School in 1951 and married Monroe Schmidt Jr. on September 21, 1955 and together they had five children: Cherry, Terry, Merry(deceased), Carey and Laurey.

She became a young widow when Monroe, her husband  was killed in a tragic accident on April 9, 1969. She raised their children by going to work, attending and participating in her children’s activities and taking them to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Kenedy.

She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, President of Friends of the Kenedy Library, member of the Kenedy P.T.A., Karnes County Reserve Officer, worked for:  The Advance and The Kenedy Times Newspapers, ASCO Community Council and Chevron.

Unfortunately, in October of 1978, she had a major stroke and spent the next years in nursing homes. Regardless of her circumstances, she always wore a smile. She will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her children: Cherry Pargmann, Terry (Neva) Schmidt, Laurey (John ) Wishert and Robert Beck, her son-in-law; grandchildren: Casey (Kyle) Gisler, Lolin (Rebecca) Schmidt, Teryn Schmidt, Carl Schmidt, Kerry Schmidt, Tres (Toni) Beck, Leleigh (Russell) Mertens, Wendy (Ken) Taylor, Michael Wisher, Robert Schmidt, Amelia Ann Schmidt; great grandchildren: Adalynn Villarreal, Piper Beck, Coki Beck, Abbott Beck, Thorn Bale Beck, Jackson Mertens, Merrick Mertens, Beckett Mertens, Kason Taylor, Cody Taylor, Aiden Taylor, Robert S. Schmidt, Jacob R. Schmidt, Aiden T. Schmidt, Ciara N. Schmidt, Trevor L. Schmidt, Mason S. Schmidt, Ethan K. Lopez, Simon J. Martinez, Jaclyn Foley, Joshania Foley, Kenneth Tyler Schmidt; great grandchild: Andre Joel Fenner; nephews: Dennis (Linda) Fenner, Pat Fenner, and Roy Lee Fenner; and other relatives.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 18, 2020 from 12:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. at Eckols Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 19,2020 at 10:30a.m. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with Pastor Wally Schievelein officiating. Interment to follow in the New Bremen Cemetery.

Pallbearers:Kolin Schmidt, Carl Schmidt, Roland (Tres) Beck III, Michael Wishert, Ken Taylor, Russell Mertens, Robert Schmidt. Honorary Pallbearers: Jackson Mertens, Merrick Merten, Beckett Mertens, Thorn Bale Beck, Kason Taylor, Cody Taylor, Aiden Taylor.

A special thanks to the caregivers at the John Paul Nursing Home. She is now having a good time in Heaven seeing her family and friends, especially Gypsy Barnes her best friend and caregiver.

Rolando A. Escamilla, of Pawnee, TX born on July 12, 1960 in Karnes City, Texas to Reducindo Escamilla Sr. and Esmerenciana Alvarado Escamilla passed away on Friday, September 11, 2020 at the age of 60.

Mr. Escamilla was employed as a  Refinery Shift Superintendent for Valero Refinery, Three Rivers, TX and had over 37 years of service.

He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years: Sandra S. Escamilla of Pawnee, TX; his beautiful daughters: Anadelle (Matthew) Bell of Corpus Christi, TX and Klaryssa Escamilla of New Braunfels, TX; and his handsome son: Kalli Escamilla of New Braunfels, TX; his two favorite grandchildren: Christian and Carter Bell; his sisters: Nora (Randle) Franke of Pawnee, TX, Nelda (Raymond) Luna of George West, TX and Mirella (Melvin) Davis of Pawnee, TX; brothers: Ray (Estella ) Escamilla, Pawnee, TX and Rudy Escamilla of Three Rivers, TX; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 14, 2020 from 12:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel. A Rosary will be recited Monday, September 14th, at 7:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel with: Rev. Ryszard Zielinski to recite and music by: Fernando Cisneros and Elizabeth Garcia. Knights of Columbus to present lapel pin to deceased and rosary beads to family.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 at 10:00a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Pawnee, Texas with Rev. Ryszard Zielinski officiating. (Funeral Procession will leave from Eckols Funeral Home at 9:15a.m. to the church).

Interment to follow in Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery in Pawnee, Texas.

Reception at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Hall, Pawnee,TX.

Pallbearers: Corky Franke, Lucas Escamilla, Travis Escamilla, Fidel Luna, Moses Escamilla, Luke Escamilla, Dustin Davis, Eddie Salinas, Kyle Savage, Roelio Gutierrez, Gerard Goudeau, D.J.Gonzales, and Christian Salinas.

Memorials may be made in his memory to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church,  P. O. Box 572, Pawnee, TX 78145.

Josephine R. Lundquist, of Kenedy, was born on September 11, 1926 in Fort Davis, Texas to George Rodriquez and Juliana Dominguez Rodriguez and passed away on Friday, on her birthday, September 11, 2020. She was married on December 20, 1948  to CH Roland Lundquist who preceded her in death in 1977. She was also preceded in death by her son: Carl Herman Lundquist. She is survived by her daughters: Blanche (Jim) Alaniz of Pawnee, TX, Annie (Adolfo) DeLeon of Pawnee, TX, Helen (Rebel) Borroum of Kenedy,TX, Lorene (Don Taylor of El Campo,TX, Patricia (George ) Garza of Kenedy,TX, Christine (Andres) Munos of Louise,TX; son: Carl (Sandra) Roland Lundquist of Kenedy, TX;  19 Grandchildren; 24 Great Grandchildren; sister: Maggie Dutchover of Fort Davis,TX; brother: Willie Rodriguez of Pecos,TX; numerous nieces,nephews, and other relatives. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 11:00a.m. at Eckols Chapel. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel . Interment to follow in Pawneee Cemetery, Pawnee, TX. Pallbearers: Caleb Borroum, Ethan Borroum, Travis Garza, Matthew Aguirre, Jason Munos, Timothy Munos, Nathan Taylor, Justin DeLeon.

Alfredo “Tito” Garcia Vidaurri, of Kenedy, TX born on January 31, 1930 in Kenedy, TX to the late Pedro Vidaurri and Lois Garcia Vidaurri passed away on Friday, September 4, 2020 at the age of 90. Mr. Vidaurri was a veteran of both the United States Army and the  United States Air Force and was also a retired Deputy. He is  survived by his wife of 12 years: Virginia Mullins Vidaurri of Kenedy, TX ; his daughters: Beth Ann Vidaurri of Corpus Christi, TX, Crystal Rose Rolle of San Antonio,TX and Tiffany Ann Pena of San Antonio, TX; son: Robert G. (Connie) Vidaurri of Victoria, TX; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 9 , 2020 from 6:00 to  8:00p.m. at Eckols Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, September 10,2020 at 10:00a.m. at Eckols Chapel with Rev. Matt Singleton officiating. Interment to follow in Loma Alta Cemetery with U.S.A.F. Honors. Pallbearers: Leroy Garza, Roland Gonzales, Tres Caballero, Michael Mata, Eddie Mullins, Mike Mullins.

Roberto “Bob” Vasquez, Age 63 of Kenedy, Tx passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2020 in Kenedy, TX. Bob was born on February 16, 1957 in Kenedy to the late Guillermo “Willie”, Sr. and Amelia Lopez Vasquez. He was a Street Department Equipment Operator for the City of Kenedy, an avid Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs fan, a loving brother, uncle, friend to many and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic  Church.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents Guillermo “Willie”, Sr and Amelia Lopez Vasquez; sisters, Janie Apalatea and Susie Sandoval.

Bob is survived by his sister, Lupe Munoz and husband Richard Sauceda of Kenedy; brothers, Richardo Vasquez and wife Deb of Kenedy, Raul Vasquez and wife Terri of Victoria, Willie Vasquez, Jr. and wife Yolanda of Austin, TX, numerous nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends.

A Holy Rosary will be recited Sunday, September 6, 2020 at 7P.M. in the Eckols Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, September 7, 2020 at 10A.M. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating. Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Laura Chase Stewart of Kenedy, Texas born on December 24, 1923 in Derby, CT to Alvin Chase and Ruth Wiggin Chase passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2020 at the age of 96. Mrs. Stewart was preceded in death by her husband John W. Stewart Jr. in March of 2018 and son, John W.  Stewart III and a brother, Phil Chase. She is survived by her sons: David (Kathy) Stewart of Kenedy, TX , Philip W. Stewart of San Antonio, TX ; sisters: Ruth (Bob) Greer of Boise, ID and Dottie (Mel) Decker of  Sparrowbush, NY; grandchildren; great grandchildren; and other relatives. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at 6:00p.m. to 7:30p.m. at Eckols Chapel. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at 10:00a.m. at Kenedy Cemetery with the Rev. Tim Williams officiating. Pallbearers: Jeffrey Stewart, Phil Stewart, Bill Gregory, Brad Yeater, Kyle Franka, Jason Ethridge. Memorials may be made to the Karnes County Humane Society.

Tomasa Diaz, of Kenedy, TX born on December 21, 1925 in Kenedy, TX to Zacharias Diaz and Celestina Vela Diaz passed away on August 27, 2020 at the age of 94. Tomasa is preceded in death by her daughter: Olga Gonzales Herrera in January of 1994 and her son Robert “Bobby” Gonzales in June of 1979 and grandchildren: Eunice and Evelyn Gonzales. Survivors include her daughter: Sylvia (Dan) Colin of The Woodlands, TX; sons: Eugene Gonzales of Kenedy, TX, Roland(Irene) Gonzales of Corpus Christi, TX, Roy (Mary Helen) Gonzales of San Antonio, TX; 15 Grandchildren; 29 Great Grandchildren; 4 Great Great Grandchildren; sister: Amelia Contreras of Kenedy, TX; son-in-law: Raymond Herrera;and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 30, 2020 from 5:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 31, 2020 at 10:00a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating. Interment in Loma Alta Cemetery. Pallbearers: Gino, Bobby, Michael, Woody, Robert and Raymond.

Audelia Rodriguez Garcia, of Kenedy, TX born in Charco, TX to Ireneo Rodriguez and Vicenta Arenas passed away on August 20, 2020 at her residence at the age of 92. Mrs. Rodriguez was preceded in death by her husband Saragosa Garcia in December of 2019. She was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church and loved to garden. She leaves behind two daughters: Lydia Garcia (Michael Weast) of Poteet, TX and Ofelia Torres (Jose Luis) of Kenedy, TX; sons: Joe (Sylvia Cuellar) Garcia, Karnes City, TX, Freddy (Mary Helen), Garcia of Runge, TX and David (Rebecca) Garcia; of Schroeder, TX; sister: Amelia Meza, Bovina, TX; 11 Grandchildren; 20 Great Grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. A Holy Rosary will be recited Monday, August 24, 2020 at 7PM in the Eckols Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating.  Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.  Serving as Pallbearers: Joe Garcia, Freddy Garcia, David Garcia, Joshua Garcia, Jose Fernando Torres, and Luis Dimas Torres.

Pastor Jesus Jeff “Jessie” Rios, Age 58 of Runge, TX passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2020 in San Antonio, TX. Jesus was born on April 8, 1962 in Runge, TX to the late Jose Maria and Racquela Ramirez Rios. He was the Pastor of Church on the Rock in Pettus, TX a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many. He married Donna Kay Charles on April 27, 1980 in Choate, TX.

He is preceded in death by his parents Jose Maria and Racquela Ramirez Rios.

He is survived by his wife Donna Kay Charles Rios of Runge, TX; daughter, Kayla Rios and spouse Lee Ann Farias of Kenedy; sons, Jessie Rios of Runge, TX, Jimmy (Irene) Rios of Runge, TX, Ricky Charles of Runge, TX; sisters, Rosa Garcia, Norma Carrasco, Corina Meza, Susana Meza; brothers, Tony Rios, Mark Rios and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Payer Service will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 7PM in the Eckols Chapel. Services will be Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 10AM at The Church on the Rock in Pettus, TS with the Pastor Robert L. Charles officiating. Interment will follow in the Runge Latin Cemetery in Runge, TX.

Noelia Velasquez of Kenedy, TX was born in Saltillo Coahuila, Mexico to the late Lucio Martinez Oyervides and Josefa Mendoza Silva on April 21, 1950. She emigrated along with her husband into the United States of America in 1970, they arrived in Kenedy, Texas to be pastors of a small church for five years. Alongside her husband Rev. Honorio Velazquez, Sr. they founded Elim Pentecostal Church in Karnes City, Texas where all their lives’ efforts have been devoted, expanding the Kingdom of God for His glory.

Besides being a homemaker and virtuous mother, she worked tirelessly with her husband in the service of the church. Her most current merits and acts of admiration were in the beginning of 2020, while being confined to a wheel chair, she still gave her final preaching and she sang her final hymn in her beloved church. She would ignore and overcome her limitations and still give glory to God in spite of her condition. These and many more will be her acts of heroism as the Matriarch of Elim Pentecostal Church.

She is survived by her mother Josefa Mendoza Silva, husband Rev. Honorio Velazquez Sr. and six children: Joel (Reyna); Avelino Jonathan (Coretta); Honorio, Jr.(Suzanna); Laurentina Esther (Daniel); Lucio (Rebekah); Enoc (Jessica); and her grandchildren: Ruben, Jazmin, Terrance, Micai, Anna Kate, Audrey, Ahser, Ruth, Hadassah, Isaiah, Jerusha Arri, Eden, Elijah, Emma-Lee Noelia, Everly, Levi; as well as ones sister Laurentina Ellett (Frank) from Burnett, TX; and nine siblings who live in Mexico (Gamaliel, Jose, Samuel, David, Berta, Noemi, Mirna, Alicia, Hilda).

Visitation will be held at the UPLCII Convention Center, 617 Dewitt, Kenedy, TX 78119 at 9:00a.m. Saturday, August 15, 2020 with Funeral Services beginning promptly at 10:00a.m. with Rev. Samuel Montoya officiating. Interment to follow in Loma Alta Cemetery. Pallbearers: Otto Oroxon, Mark Oroxon, Alfredo Velasquez, Leo Velasquez, Daniel Garza, Ruben Velasquez.