Franklin Leroy Schmidt Jr. of Karnes City, Texas born on March 25, 1958 in Karnes City, Texas passed away on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at the age of 62 at his residence in Karnes City, Texas.

Mr. Schmidt is survived by his father, Franklin Leroy Schmidt off Runge, TX; his mother, Helen (Wayne) Krause of Carbon, TX; his companion Abelinda Luna of Karnes City, TX, his sons: Frank Lee (Patricia ) Schmidt of La Vernia, Jeremy Korezkwa Schmidt of Stockdale, TX; his two granddaughters whom he cherished Makenzie and Paige Schmidt of La Vernia, TX; his three sisters: Belinda (Jimmy) Bingham of La Vernia, TX,  Melody (Morris ) Brown of Kenedy, TX and Beatrice (Henry ) Henkes of Cuero, TX; his three brothers: Charles (Amme) Blumerauer of Midland, TX, Jerry (Deanna) Krause of Comanche, TX and Trenton Schmidt of Runge, TX.  He had many nieces and nephews, that he really enjoyed visiting with.

Franklin served in the Army Reserves from 1982 to 1990. Franklin was a truck driver and traveled across the U. S.

Franklin retired in Karnes City. He enjoyed having his morning coffee talks with his father. He loved when his son would send  him a picture of his granddaughters or even when  he got a letter in the mail from his son, it was like Christmas to him. Franklin had this unique smile that would light up the room when he came to visit the family. He lift his sisters with some amazing memories as they grew up like trips down to their moms, taking his car without asking him (Belinda). His sister Beatrice would love playing jokes on him; one trip down to moms, he was asleep and snoring. She was chewing a piece of gum; she pulled it out and dropped it in his mouth. He was choking and coughing. He sat up, coughed it out and laid back down and went back to sleep. Franklin loved to go visit his grandmother. He also loved the Easter party because he got to visit with the whole family. Franklin was preceded in death by his two nephews and nieces, Jimmy Bingham, Henry Henkes and Marsha Alvear.

Private Memorial Services and Inurnment to be held.

Rebecca “Becky” Dawn Stern Lewis of Pettus, went to be with our Heavenly Father on February 13, 2021. Becky was born on May 12, 1959 in Pensacola, Florida to Les and Mary Charlotte Stern. She graduated from Pettus High School. She married Carl Lewis on December 29, 1979. She was a Med. Aid/Nurses Aide. Becky was a very loving and caring wife, mother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt and friend! She was always sweet and kind to everyone around her. Becky always put God and her family first! Becky was preceded in death by her mother. She is survived by her father, her husband, two sons, Jess and Sam Lewis; one sister, Shelly (Mike) Martin, two brothers, Larry (Jon) Stern and Jimmy (Vicki) Rice. One niece, Tiffany (Nathan) Mosely, one nephew, Rodney Luckenbach. Two great nephews, Brylee and Chance, one great niece, Azrielle, and other relatives: Aunts Patsy and Brenda, Gena, Miss Carol and a lot of cousins. There will be a  family gathering at a later date to celebrate the life of Becky Lewis.

Oscar Gonzalez Garcia, age 62, passed away peacefully February 13, 2021.   He was born July 28, 1958 to the late Joe and Frances Garcia. Oscar was an Electrician who loved his family and was of the Catholic Faith. Oscar is preceded in death by his parents, Jose Perez and Frances Gonzalez Garcia; brothers, brothers, Alex Garcia and Johnnie Garcia.  Oscar is survived by his two daughters Stephanie Soto and Marisela Frances Garcia, his two sons Oscar Garcia Jr and Justin Jacob Garcia, his sister and husband Velma and Joe Garza, brother and wife Israel and Rachel Garcia, sister and husband Mary Ann and Anthony Peres, brother and wife Jerry and Diana Garcia, brother and wife Michael and Leslie Garcia, brother and wife Joe Angel and Audrey Garcia, brother David Garcia, five grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.  Family & friends are invited to attend visitation hours on Sunday, February 21, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Eckols Funeral home in Kenedy, Texas.  The rosary will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 21, 2021.  The funeral mass will be held on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy, Texas and his final resting place will be at Sacred Heart cemetery.  Please join us after the burial for lunch at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church hall.

Serving as Pallbearers: Timo Villanueva, Del Villanueva, Diego Garza, Lee Pena, Donald Villanueva, and David Villanueva.

Honorary Pallbearers: Joe Fuentes and Rudy Casarez.

***Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic you will be required to wear a face mask covering to enter the Building/Chapel to attend the Visitation or Services of Mr. Oscar Gonzalez Garcia and practice Social Distancing for the safety of the GARCIA FAMILY and those attending. Thank you for your cooperation and respectfulness – The Staff of Eckols Funeral Home, Inc. ***

Mary M. Urrutia of San Antonio, Texas was born on December 25, 1976 in Floresville, Texas to Lucas Urrutia and Maria Zapata Urrutia passed away on February 14, 2021 at the age of 44 from battling cancer.   Mary worked for Heart to Heart Hospice as a CNA. She is survived by her father: Lucas Urrutia; her  daughters: Bianca Gonzales, Brittany Gonzales, and Jaylene Vasquez, all of San Antonio, TX; six grandchildren: Ernest Garcia, Dereck Garcia, Ariana Garcia, Zekiel Garcia, Roland Carrasco and Rogan Carrasco; sisters: Anna Reyes, Irene Asebedo, Martha Urrutia, and Patricia Ybanez; brothers: Eddie Urrutia, Jesus Urrutia, Albert Urruttia, George Urrutia, Adrian Urrutia; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 26, 2021 from 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.  with a Prayer Service at 7:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel. Funeral Service will be held on  Saturday, February the  27th, at 11:00a.m. at Eckols Chapel.  Interment following  in the Karnes City Cemetery, Karnes City, TX where she will be laid to rest near her mother.

Betty June Lieke Polasek of Karnes City, Texas was born on June 28, 1936 in Fashing, Texas to Otto Lieke and Bertha Fenner Lieke passed away on February 11, 2021 at the age of 84. She was baptized on November 26, 1936 by Pastor Arthur G. Elley, Sponsors were: Mr. and Mrs. Willie Lieke and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fenner. She was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Karnes City on May 13, 1951 by Rev. E.A. Sagebiel, D.D.  She  graduated Karnes City High School on May 25, 1954. She went to Draughon Practical Business College and completed her Executive Secretarial course on February 25, 1955. She went to work at Karnes Electric Cooperative, Inc. in 1955 and worked until her stroke on December 5, 1985. She worked almost 31 years at Karnes Electric. She married Rudolph John Polasek on July 21, 1962 in Karnes City. She is preceded in death by her husband: Rudolph John Polasek; her parents: Otto and Bertha Lieke;her brother in law: Thomas Novak, her sister in law: Dawn Polasek, brother in law and sister in law: James and Mary Polasek; brother in law: Nick Kroll, and brother in law: Charlie Zidek. She is survived by her sister: Lucille Novak: brother in law: Thomas Polasek; sister in law:  Frances Zidek, brother in law and sister in law: Mike and Ruby Polasek; sister in law: Joann Kroll, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. June was very fond of her two Kathy’s, Denise Pooser, and Bucky Aguilar who worked for Rudolph and June. After Rudolph’s death Bucky was like a son to June. Both June and Rudolph were good friends with Noe who lived in the valley. Although June and Rudolph had no children of their own, they were very close to many children especially their nieces and nephews. She loved to play canasta, tend to her yard and volunteer at the local nursing home.  Viewing will be held for the Public on Thursday, February 25, 2021 from 5:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel. Funeral services for the (Immediate Family Only- and Masks are Mandatory) on  Friday, February 26, 2021 at 1:00p.m. at the St.Paul’s Lutheran Church with  Rev. Thomas Mutz and Father Jeff Polasek officiating. Interment to follow in the Laubach Family and Friends Cemetery, Karnes City, TX.  No Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Karnes City Volunteer Fire Dept.

Tanya Sue Donnell, of Kenedy, Texas was born on September 30, 1973 to Dwayne “Rusty” Monroe Donnell and Linda Rose Donnell in Kenedy, Texas passed away suddenly on February 13, 2021 at the age of 47. Tanya is preceded in death by her son: R.J. Donnell. She is survived by her  sons: Devin Vigil-Donnell of Karnes City, Texas and Dylan Dedear of Kenedy,TX; daughter: Mariah Shaw of Utah; mother: Linda (James) Yeager of Hobson, TX; sister: Candice (Stephen) Kotara, of Hobson, TX; close cousin: Kristy Rose (Juan) Alvarado of Kenedy, TX; nieces, nephews, and cousins and other relatives.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held for Tanya on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021 at 3:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel.   Inurnment will be near her son, R.J. at a later date.Memorial contributions may be made toward her final expenses c/o Mel Garcia at Eckols Funeral Home, Inc. 420 W. Live Oak St. Kenedy, Texas 78119.

James “Jim” Floyd Williams, Age 79 of Runge, TX passed away Monday, February 1,
2021, in Runge, TX. He was happy to be home from a stay in the hospital in San
Antonio. His daughter and son-in-law, Tammy and Scott, were with him.
James was born on July 10, 1941 in Rowena, TX to the late Beacher and Elenora
Catherine Gully Williams. He retired from AMACO as an Operator; was a loving father,
grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many, served his country proudly in the
National Guard. He is preceded in death by his parents, Beacher and Elenora
Catherine Gully Williams, Runge, Texas.
He is survived by his daughter, Tammy Elaine Norton and husband Scott of Houston,
TX; son, Barry Neil Williams and his daughter Lillian “Lily” Elizabeth Williams of Stuarts
Draft, VA; Six sisters, Nettie Cornelius of Alice, TX; Betty Skidmore of Corpus Christi,
TX; Vivian Johnson of Mathis, TX; Dolley Zavesky of College Station, TX; Wanda
Herber and husband Claude Frank of Comfort, TX; Lynne Arvin and husband Brad of
Von Army, TX; and three brothers, Albert Williams and wife Janet of Corpus Christi, TX;
Fred Williams and wife Linda of New Braunfels, TX; Charles “Chuck” Williams and wife
Elaine of New Braunfels, TX.
He will also be missed by many, many (three generations) of nephews & nieces.
Jim worked as operator in chemical plants most of his life and was so happy when he
retired and moved to his farm in Runge. He enjoyed 22 years of tending to his cattle,
spending time with his neighbors, Charlene & Darryl Blashcke and John Novak, and
going on trips with his friends. He loved drop-in visits from family and just being at
home in Runge.
Family Visitation will be Sunday, February 7, 2021 from 3P.M. to 5P.M. in the Eckols
Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside Services with Interment will be held Monday,
February 8, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. in the Runge Cemetery with the Rev. James Schendel
officiating. Following the service, a reception will be held at the Family Life Center, First
Baptist Church, 505 N. Reiffert Street, Runge, TX
Honorary Pallbearers will be: Darryl Blaschke, John Novak, Danny Koerth, Lloyd
Koerth, Craig Doreck, Bobby Ray Johnson & Travis Johnson
In Lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to Runge First Baptist Church — Youth
Group, P. O. Box 488, Runge, TX 78151

Mario Ramirez was born on January 22, 1957 in Karnes City, Texas to the late Jerome and Isidora Ramirez. He passed away on February 1, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas after a sudden illness at the age of 64. Mario worked as a heavy equipment operator for many years until he recently retired in 2018. He enjoyed barbecuing and listening to Tejano music in the company of his family and friends. He was most proud of his grandsons, Isaac and Gage, and cherished the time he spent with them. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his father, Jimmy Rodriguez, Jr.; children, Mark (Jennifer) Ramirez of Austin, Texas, Melinda “Mindy” (Oscar) Soliz of Alice, Texas; grandchildren, Isaac Oscar Soliz and Gage Mario Ramirez; siblings, Clara Ramirez of  San Antonio, Texas, Jerry Ramirez of San Antonio, Texas, Monica Rodriguez of Seguin, Texas, Blanca Rodriguez of McQueeny, Texas, George Rodriguez of McQueeny, Texas, Ronnie Rodriquez of McQueeny, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; Jerome and Isidora Ramirez, Evangelina “Eva” Rodriguez; brothers, Carlos Rodriguez, Mike Ramirez and Jimmie Rodriguez, III.

A Holy Rosary will be recited Friday, February 5, 2021 at  7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel for immediate family.

Norma G. Zamzow of Kenedy, TX was born on September 29, 1921 to Oscar Gross and Melitta Regner of Arneckeville, Texas. She moved to Fashing, TX when she was 12. She went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at the age of 99 years, 4 months, and 1 day. Mrs. Zamzow  is preceded in death by her husband: Emil H. Zamzow.

Norma was also preceded in death by her siblings (Robert, Rosie, Erwin, Alton, Elliot and Herbert), and lived the longest of all of them. Counting the time in the womb, she actually did make it to  100 this year.

Though she and Emil did not have any children, they had numerous nieces and nephews and friends that held a special place in their lives. She and “Boots” (Emil) were baptismal sponsors for twelve family members and friends. Raising children to know the LORD was very important to them.

Norma grew up picking cotton on a farm, and lived as  a farmer’s wife after marriage. She was an expert seamstress, and did beautiful embroidery and crochet in the evenings to relax after a full day of tending the farm. She made many jars of peach jelly to go on homemade bread over the years. In a phone conversation in May of 2020, she said “I did what I loved to do.”  Yes, she did. At Bluebonnet Nursing home, she remained active, even in her wheelchair. She daily roamed the halls, a sweet memory for the employees there.  She will be dearly missed, but is now with her Savior Jesus Christ, and with others who have also trusted in Him.

She leaves behind her hard work ethic, her frugality and example of not wasting anything, her generosity around her dinner table, and a strong, but simple faith. She was dearly loved by many.

Norma will have a Graveside service at New Bremen Cemetery  on Saturday, February 6, at 2p.m, with viewing beginning at 1 pm at the gravesite.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where she and Boots served the Lord for many years.

Sara Mae Shoemake Jenkins McNeil Smith of Pettus,TX was born November 20, 1935  to Hartford Shoemake and Evelyn Mann Shoemake in Pearsall,TX. She passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at the age of 85.  She married John L. Jenkins Sr. on Feb. 5, 1949. After his passing in 1992, she was married to Nathaniel McNeil (Mack) till his passing in 2010. Sara resided in Pettus, Texas with her present husband Arnold B. Smith Sr.  They were married on Jan. 20, 2012. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister: Linda Taylor, Step brothers:Ronnie and Lloyd Jenkins. She is survived by her husband:  Arnold Smith of Pettus, TX; her children: Judy Nolen (Freddy)of  Pettus, TX, Evelyn Jacoby of Somerset, TX, John Jenkins Jr. of  Tuleta, TX, Donald (Tressa) Jenkins of Beeville, TX, Rita Smith (Bruce) of Tuleta, TX; stepchildren: John Smith (Rita) of  Bennington, OK, David (Shannon) Smith of Lake City, TX, Bobbie (Lisa) Smith of Corpus Christi, TX, Bruce (Rita) Smith of Tuleta, TX. She was blessed to have a large loving family, 17 grandchildren; 41 great grandchildren; and 11 great great grandchildren. She has one sister, Barbara Frye (Darrell) from Lusk, WY, a sister, Denia Geiger (Debo) of Spring Branch,TX one brother, Hartford (Sonny) Shoemake (Frances) of Pettus TX. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Pettus, TX. Sara was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and was a loving and very giving friend. She was marvelous cook and she enjoyed cooking for family and friends anytime. She also enjoyed playing cards, and she had a real love of music and dancing. The one thing I believe anyone that knew her, would say that her main focus was always her family in her life; she cherished each and everyone of them. She was deeply loved and will be dearly missed. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 4:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February  5, 2021 at 11:00a.m. Eckols Chapel with interment in Mineral Cemetery, Mineral, TX. Pallbearers: Thomas Ables, DeLane Ables, Bubba (Charles ) Williams, Skipper Pierce, Debo Geiger, Robbie Rodgers and Steven Morgan.