Mercedes G. Garcia, Jr., Age 93 of Buda, TX formerly of Kenedy, TX passed away on August 4, 2022 in Buda, TX.  Merced was born on December 10, 1928 in Kenedy to the late Mercedes, Sr. and Isabella Galvan Garcia.  He married Rosa Morales on August 29, 1953 in Kenedy who preceded him in death on April 14, 2013 . He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother; a retired heavy equipment operator and of the Catholic Faith.

He is preceded in death by his wife Rosa Morales Garcia; Parents, Mercedes, Sr. and Isabella Galvan Garcia; sisters, Aurora Guajardo, Margaret Villafranco, Jova Garcia; brothers, Leandro Garcia, Jose Garcia and Gregorio Garcia.

He is survived by his daughter, Jo Ann Barrandey and husband Louis of Alvarado, TX; son, Benjamin Lee Garcia and wife Barbara of Buda, TX; grandchildren, Bernadette White, Bradford Garcia, Erick Barrandey, John Paul Barrandey, Jared Barrandey; great-grandchildren, Rosyln White, Robert Joseph White, IV; and a numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

A Holy Rosary will be recited Monday, August 8, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 10:00 A.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.   

Glenda Jean Oehlke Arnold, 64 of Sugar Land, TX passed away July 21, 2022. She was born on August 27, 1957 in Yorktown, TX to the late Ruben and Vernell Oehlke.  She married Jeffrey Arnold on November 22, 1980 in Alice, TX.  Glenda worked in accounts payable and enjoyed travelling with her family.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ruben and Vernell Oehlke and her mother-in-law Grace Arnold.

She is survived by her husband, Jeffrey Arnold; son, Cody Arnold; daughter, Courtney Garrett (Van); granddaughter, Everly Garrett; sister, Shirley Bleidt (Barry); brother, Vernon Oehlke (Tammy); father-in-law, Red Arnold; sister-in-law, Jennifer Aldrich (Bill); brother-in-law, Mike Arnold (Anna).

Family Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 27, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel in Kenedy, TX.  Services will be held Thursday, July 28 at 2022, 10 a.m. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Wally Schievelbein officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Cody Arnold, Van Garrett, Scott Aldrich, Dylan Arnold, Justin Oehlke, and Ryan Ermis. 

Memorials may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Leonides “Leon” A. Villanueva, 71, of Kingsville, Texas passed away on July 21, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 12, 1951, in Pawnee, Texas the twelfth of thirteen children to Dionicio and Tomasa Aguirre Villanueva. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges. Despite his pain, Leonides came out a hero and stayed strong until the end.    In 1970, Leonides graduated from Pawnee High School. He then married his high school sweetheart, Alicia Gonzales. Shortly after their marriage, he joined the Army and served 6 years stationed abroad in Italy and then ending his time in the states. Leonides and his beautiful wife had two children prior to his honorable discharge from the military.  In the summer of 1985, he was hired by Exxon Corporation and continued his career until he retired in 2009.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Dionicio and Tomasa Aguirre Villanueva and his siblings: Ernesto Aguirre, Thomas Gomez, Dionicio Villanueva Jr., Elvia Ortiz. Leonides is survived by his loving and caring wife, Alice Gonzales Villanueva. He was a proud father of  two children Maria Teresa “Terri” (Mark) Garcia and Jorge Luis “Buddy” (Priscilla) Villanueva and his two grandchildren Marina Alicia Garcia and Miguel Antonio “Tony” Garcia. He is also survived by his siblings:  Anita Thomas, Elisa Garcia, Elida (Seferino) Serna, Guadalupe Sheffield, Antonia (Rene) Longoria, Genoveva Ponce,  Domingo (Dora) Villanueva, and Elvira (Steve) Alaniz.

Family Visitation will be Thursday, July 28, 2022, from 5pm – 7pm, with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7pm in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, July 29, 2022, at 10am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Pawnee, Texas.  Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery in Pawnee, Texas.  

Serving as Pallbearers: Christopher Alaniz, Jose M. Gonzales, Jr., Rene Serna, Jimmy DeLeon, Donny Lewis and Rondo Gonzales.

Enemencio “NENE” Alaniz Ramos, Age 54 of Kenedy, TX passed away July 22, 2022 in Karnes City, TX.  Nene was born on September 18, 1967 in Kenedy to the late Pablo Ramos and Elena Alaniz Gonzalez.  He was a retired Oilfield crew leader, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, friend to many and of the Christian faith.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Pablo Ramos and Elena Alaniz Gonzalez.

He is survived by his daughters, Jacqueline Nicole Ramos of North Richmond Hills, Heather Marie Hutchison of Kenedy, Elena Alaniz Ramos of Kenedy, Amanda Danielle Ramos of Kenedy, Shania Jade Ramos of Kenedy; sister, Sandra Caballero of Kenedy; brothers, Alfredo Ramos of Corpus Christi, Armando Ramos of Corpus Christi, Eduardo Ramos of McAllen, Alfonso Ramos of Kenedy, Richard Ramos of Runge, grandchildren, Gabriel Jaimes Ramos, Shelia Ramos, Jose Ramos, Daniella Ramos, Vrissa Olvera, Lilly Serna, Josiah Ramos, Susie Ramos, Ryan Green, Macy Green, Arian Navejar, Alijah Ramos, Jovoni Ramos, Gionni Ramos, Isaiah Ramos; great-grandchild Noah Reyes and many extended family members and dear friends. 

Family Visitation will be Sunday, July 24, 2022 from 11A.M. to 1:00 P.M. with Services beginning at 1:00 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Walter Hill, III.  Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Kenedy.

Serving as Pallbearers: Chris Ramos, Gabriel Jaimes Ramos, Jose Ramos, Johnny Reyes, Brayden Hutchison and Derek Ramos.

Beverly “Bev” Jan Walston, 74, of Goliad, Texas, passed away on July 16, 2022, after a well-fought battle with Alzheimer’s. 

Beverly was born on May 27, 1948, to Russell L. and Doris E. Smith in Seattle, Washington. After graduating from Richard King High School-Corpus Christi in 1966, she studied Home Economics at Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas.

 After graduation, she landed her first job as a teacher for St. Joseph Junior High School- Corpus Christi, kicking off a 45-year teaching career. Beverly then went on to teach for London I.S.D.-Corpus Christi, Runge I.S.D., and Goliad Special Education Cooperative as an in-home parent trainer for neurodivergent children and their families. Beverly was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

In 1964, Beverly met Joseph Albert Walston, Jr. (Skipper), and they wed on November 21, 1967, going on to have two children, Melissa Elaine Walston-Sanchez and Jennifer Jo Walston, who were her pride and joy. After retirement, Beverly enjoyed cooking, canning, and sewing in her quiet country life.

Beverly is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Joseph A. Walston Jr.; her two daughters, Jennifer Walston; Melissa Walston-Sanchez (Alfredo); her three grandchildren (chickadees), Jeffrey, Jillian, and Jenna; sisters-in-law Cheryl Algernon (Don), Laura Lee Warnix, brothers-in-law Michael Walston, and Norman Owen; one niece and three nephews. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and attending school events to celebrate their accomplishments.

In lieu of flowers, Beverly asked donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Foundations for Divergent Minds, organizations close to Beverly’s heart.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on July 23, 2022, at Eckols Funeral Home-Kenedy, Texas; all are welcome to attend. Per Beverly’s request, honorary pallbearers will be cherished former students. May our beloved Ma, Mom, Grammy rest easy drifting with the winds over her treasured Texas

wildflowers.

           “Remember, every time you see a beautiful bird, butterfly, and flower, think of me.”

Isaac G. Serna, a lifelong resident of Pawnee, Texas, entered eternal rest Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at Christus Hospital in Beeville, Texas at the age of 66 years, 6 months, and 4 days.  Isaac was born January 9, 1936, in El Oso, Texas, the son of Aurelio Serna, Sr. and Louisa Gonzales Serna.  Mr. Serna was a hard-working rancher, farmer, a devoted son, brother, and a loving uncle.

Isaac loved everything involving outdoors, cattle, farming, ranching, wildlife, hunting and lately loved watching the deer each evening.  Four generations of nieces and nephews will remember him for his smile, kind heart and his secret stash of candy.

Isaac is survived by his brothers Seferino (Elida) Serna from Pawnee, Texas and Dionicio Serna from Guymon, Oklahoma, and sister-in-law Anita Serna from Pawnee, Texas and brother -in-law Servando Villannueva from Garden City, Kansas.  He is also survived by 4 generations of nephews and nieces.  Mr. Serna is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Maria Villanueva, Felecita Serna and his brothers, Elifonso Serna and Fernando Serna.

Private Family Visitation will be at Eckols Funeral Home Chapel in Kenedy, Texas on Friday, July 15, 2022, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.  Public Visitation will begin from 5:00pm to 7:00pm with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00pm.  Funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00am, Saturday, July 16, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pettus, Texas.  Intermittent will follow in the Neil Cemetery in Nell, Texas.  Serving as Pallbearers are Roque Serna, Rene Serna, Robert Serna, Fernando Serna, Adrian Marin, Daniel Munos, Gilbert Aguirre, and Leroy Villanueva.

PER FAMILY REQUEST:  PLEASE WEAR YOUR FACE MASK INTO CHAPEL FOR FRIDAY VISITATION, ROSARY, AND SATURDAY FUNERAL SERVICE!

Isaac Serna, your labor is done, your home now in heaven; no more must you wait and suffer.  Your legacy lives on, our love of the land lives on and we will close the gate for you, Uncle.

On Wednesday, July 6^th, 2022 at 10:41 AM Russell Graham Briley, loving husband, father, and devoted servant of God passed away at the age of 50.  Russell was born on May 3^rd, 1972 in San Angelo, Texas to Ruth Elaine Briley and Ronald Clyde Briley. He spent his childhood years in Ballinger, Odessa, Gatesville, and Ingram where he graduated from Tom Moore High School in 1990. Russell briefly attended the University of Texas at Austin where he was in the Longhorn Band. He went on to finish his college degree at Austin Graduate School of Theology, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies in May of 1995.  Russell married the love of his life, Saundra LaKay Irby on January 2^nd, 1993 in Kerrville, Texas. Just over 2 years later, they welcomed their first child, a son, Conner Graham followed 5 years later by a daughter, Caleigh Faith.  Russell and Saundra were honored to work with churches in Bertram, Harlingen, Rockdale and Kenedy. Upon moving to Kenedy in 2004, Russell began volunteering at the John B. Connally Unit in their prison ministry programs. It didn’t take long for Russell to recognize that this was his true passion and calling in life, as he began working as a full-time prison Chaplain in 2010. Russell served in this capacity until the time of his passing and loved serving “the men in white”. During this time, he was recognized by Austin Graduate School of Theology with the “Living Stones Award” in recognition of “dynamic and active service to build the kingdom of Christ with dignity and humility”. Since his passing, the family has been overwhelmed by stories of how Russell touched so many lives in every community he has been a part of.

Russell is preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Elaine Briley, his loving grandparents, and an infant child that was born into Jesus’ arms. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Saundra Briley of Kenedy, TX, his son Conner Briley of Austin, his daughter Caleigh Briley of College Station, his father Ronald Clyde Briley of San Angelo, his brother Ronnie Briley (Kati) of Miles, his sister Regina Bridges (Steve) of Selma, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family that he loved dearly. As Russell recently pointed out, he’s “always known how much he loved his family, but didn’t realize until recently how much he loved his dogs”- Grace and Mindy will miss you Dad.

A visitation will be held at the Kenedy Church of Christ on Tuesday, July 12^th from 6-8 PM. A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, July 13^th at 10 AM at Eckol’s Funeral Home, Kenedy, TX, officiated by his uncle, Bryan Briley. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Connally Kairos (KPMI, P.O. Box 2982,Fredericksburg, TX 78624).

Martin John Rossett, Age 45 of San Antonio, TX passed away on June 26, 2022 in San Antonio, TX. Martin was born on June 15, 1977 in Karnes City, TX to Mary Rodriguez DeSalm and Martin Rossett. Martin married Jessica Molina on December 16, 1996 in Kenedy, TX. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother who proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force, was a fiber optic engineer and a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. 

He is preceded in death by his brother David Burkhart.

He is survived by his wife, Jessica Molina Rossett; mother, Mary R. DeSalm; father, Martin Rossett; daughter, Jazmine M. Rossett; son Giovanny X. Rossett; sisters, Elizabeth Rossett Mojica, Eula Rossett Ngiraingas; brother, Pedro “P.J.” Joseph Burkhart and a host of family and friends.

A Holy Rosary will be recited Friday, July 8, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, July 9, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. 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.

Leoncio H. DeLaGarza, Sr., Age 74 of Kenedy, TX passed away Monday, June 27, 2022 in Seguin, TX.  Leoncio was born on August 1, 1947 in Matamoros, Mexico to the late Napolean and Estella Hinojosa DeLaGarza.  Leoncio was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, retired as a long haul truckdriver and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. 

He is preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Arguellez DeLaGarza; parents, Napolean and Estella Hinojosa DeLaGarza; sister, Elodia Gonzales; and brother, Eddie DeLaGarza.

He is survived by his daughter, Almira DeLaGarza Martinez and husband Calistro Ray of Seguin; sons, Juaquin DeLaGarza and wife Trisha of Karnes City, Leoncio DeLaGarza, Jr. and wife Esmeralda of Karnes City, Jose Alberto Martinez and wife Melissa of Michigan; sisters, Andrea Quick of Michigan, Dora Sauceda of Michigan; brothers, Rumaldo DeLaGarza of Corpus Christi, Gilbert DeLaGarza of Angelton, Artisteo DeLaGarza of Michigan, Guillermo DeLaGarza of Harlingen, Richard DeLaGarza of Michigan, 8 grandhildren, great-grandchild and a numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.

A Holy Rosary will be recited Sunday, July 3, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, July 4, 2022 at 10:00 A.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. 

Serving as Pallbeares will be Luzarco DeLaGarza, John DeLaGarza, Roger DeLaGarza, Jaime DeLaGarza, Isaac Martinez, and D.J. DeLaGarza.

Honorary Pallbearers are Tristan DeLaGarza and Christopher Michael Gonzales.

Jason Baldera, Age 35 of Kenedy, TX passed away Monday, June 20, 2022 in New Orleans, LA.  Jason was born on August 8, 1986 in Seguin, TX to Adam Baldera and the late Dora Perez.  He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, a graduate of Kenedy High School Class of 2005 and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

Jason is preceded in death by his mother Dora Perez Baldera.

Jason is survived by his parents, Adam and Esperanza Davila Baldera of Kenedy; wife, Tomie Gonzales Baldera of Kenedy; daughter, Rhilee G. Baldera of Kenedy; son Zayvier Jay Bladera of Karnes City; sisters, Amy Bladera of Seguin, Veronica Marie Perez of Kenedy, Leticia Marie Baldera of Kenedy, Denise Davila of Seguin, Rebecca Davila DeLaGarza of Seguin; brothers, Adam Baldera, Jr. of San Antonio, Larry Baldera of Seguin, Ernesto Baldera of Seguin; step-sister, Joesphine Davila of Kenedy; step-brother, Francisco Davila of Kenedy and many dear friends and extended family members.

A Holy Rosary will be recited, Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, July 1, 2022 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.