Luis Antonio Garza, of Richmond, TX, born on February 23, 1976 in Richmond,TX to Henry Saenz Garza and Maria Sylvia Cruz Garza passed away on December 17, 2018 at the age of 42. Luis is survived by his parents: Henry S. and Maria Sylvia Garza; his sons: Jordan Antonio Garza, and Andrew Fuller Garza, both of Richmond, TX and daughter Kathryn Korryn Garza, all of Richmond, TX; two brothers: Enrigue”Henry” C. and Stacy Garza, of Tomball, TX and Edward Cruz and Jennifer Garza, of Richmond,TX; five nephews: Cole Garza, Bryce Williams, Aiden Garza, Dylan Garza, and Isiah Garza.; and other relatives. Visitation Friday, December 21, 2018 from 1:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:000p.m. at Eckols Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial  will be held Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 10:00a.m.  at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with interment in Loma Alta Cemetery. Pallbearers: Navied Sadeghi, Felipe Garza III, Alberto Garza, Kenny White, Keith Gonzalez, Ricardo Montemayor Jr., Cole Garza, and Bryce Williams. Flowers welcome.

Katherine Wood, Age 86 of Kenedy, TX passed away on Sunday, December 16, 2018 in Kenedy, TX. Katherine was born on April 30, 1932 in Kenedy, TX to the late Domitilo And Formosina Barrera Perez.    She retired from the KISD after 41 years of service, was a member of The First Baptist Church in Kenedy and a loving Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Aunt and Friend to many.  Katherine is preceded in death by her parents, Domitilo and Formosina Barrera Perez; sisters, Emma Esparza, Alicia Gomez; brothers, Gilbert Perez and Crispin Perez.  Katherine is survived by her children, Mary Alice Wood of Kenedy, David Wood and wife Dorothy of Cuero, Janette “Penny” Bowen and husband Tim of Karnes City; grandchildren, Bianca (John) Hulsey of Converse, David James (Ashley) Wood of Beeville, Ashley (Brandon) Chesser of Kenedy, Brayden Bowen of Karnes City, Waylon Guerrero of Karnes City, Laci Rogers of Oklahoma, 3 Great-Grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.  Family Visitation will be held Thursday, December 20, 2018 from 6PM to 8PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be Friday, December 21, 2018 at 11AM at The First Baptist Church in Kenedy with the Rev. Matt Singleton and Pastor Bobby Gomez officiating.  Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Claire Nieschwietz Chesnutt, born in Falls City on February 23, 1922, died in Houston on December 17, 2018. Her first and much-loved job was at a San Antonio radio station during the last years of World War II; when, like so many other women at that time, she was pushed out to make room for a returning soldier, she turned to elementary education. She first taught in a one-room schoolhouse and ultimately became a beloved fourth-grade teacher to hundreds of children in Poth and Kenedy. She met her future husband, John Wood Chesnutt, at coffee after Mass one Sunday in Kenedy. He died prematurely in 1963, leaving her with five children aged six months to 12, and one of her great achievements was to raise them on little more than a schoolteacher’s salary. After she retired, she moved to Kerrville, where she quickly developed a wide circle of friends despite having known no one when she arrived. She later moved to Rockport and then Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Her daughter Mary Claire Luce died in 2014. She is survived by her children Jane Chesnutt (W. Mallory Rintoul), John Clark Chesnutt (Linda Chesnutt), Rachel Blasdell (Larry Blasdell) and Julia Dutton (Steve Dutton), her grandchildren Michael, Sara and Emily Blasdell, Jeffrey and Richard Herring and Ashley and Nicholas Dutton, seven great-grandchildren, her last surviving sibling, Elaine Warnken, and about two dozen nieces and nephews. We thought she’d make it to at least 100…she didn’t quite get there, but well done in every way, Mom!

A visitation will be held from 4 – 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 20 at Eckol’s Funeral Home, 420 West Liveoak St., Kenedy, Texas. The Funeral Mass will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 21 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Falls City, Texas followed by interment in the Falls City Cemetery.

Charles William “Billy Merritt, of Kenedy, Texas born March 23, 1931 in Kenedy, TX passed away on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at the age of 87. Billy is preceded in death by his parents, William (Bill) Merritt and Thelma Dunn Merritt.  He is survived by his wife Margaret; his sons: Mike (Debbie L.) Merritt of Victoria, TX and Pat (Debbie D.) of Huffman, TX; grandsons: Jason Merritt wife Kristine, Josh Merritt, Jacob Merritt wife Sarah, Clay Merritt, Tyler Merritt wife Jessica; great grandchlildren: Braden Merritt, Zach Merritt, Kate Merritt, Kensey Merritt, Rylee Merritt, Parker Merritt, Cannon Merritt, Callahan Merritt; brother: C.J. (Carol) Merritt of Grand Prairie,TX and other relatives. Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 9:00a.m. with Funeral Services at 11:00a.m. at Eckols Chapel with interment in Choate Cemetery. Pallbearers: Jason, Josh, Jacob, Clay Tyler and Braden Merritt.

Mark  Anthony DeLosSantos, of Runge,TX,  born on October 9, 1973 to Emerardo DeLos Santos and Consuelo Charles DeLos Santos passed away on December 6, 2018 at the age of 45. Mark is preceded in death by his parents, sisters: JoAnn Tejada, Mary Ann Mendoza; brothers: Hector and Jonas DeLosSantos. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ramirez DeLosSantos; daughters: Sierra Flores and Alissa DeLosSantos; son, Nick DeLosSantos; sisters: Anna Flores and Diana Tejada; brothers: Stephen DeLosSantos and Emerardo DeLosSantos II; many nieces,nephews and other relatives and friends. Private memorial services will be held.

Adolph Kolinek Jr., of Kenedy, TX born on January 9, 1921 in Lenz, Texas to Adolph Kolinek and Neva A. McAda Kolinek passed away on December 7, 2018 at the age of 97. Mr. Kolinek attended Texas A&M and was a member of The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Kenedy. He is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret “Mickey” Kolinek in 2012. He is survived by his daughter: Neva (Terry) Schmidt of Kenedy,TX and Judy (Jimmy) Newman, of Leesville,TX; son, David Theuret of Kenedy, TX; sisters: Irene (Ray) Pundt of San Antonio, TX,  Blanche (Walter) Halajko (dec’d); grandchildren: Shelia (Tony) Stone,Bobby (Traci) Newman, Scotty Newman(dec’d), Wesley (Lisa) Theuret, Walker (Roxanne) Theuret, Tina Howard, Kolin Schmidt, Carl Schmidt, Teryn Schmidt, Kerry Schmidt; great grandchildren: Jordon, Colby, Tyler, Ashton, Lane, Sarah, Wesley, Emma, Dustin, Devin, Emmersyn and Karsyn, Austin and Tanner Kilgo; great great grandchildren: Alena, Kimberlyn, John, Allison, Adalynn and Bryliegh. Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 12, 2018 from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 10:00a.m. at The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with interment to follow in the Kenedy Cemetery. Pallbearers: Ronnie Pundt, Dustin Theuret, Wesley Theuret, Walker Theuret, Kolin Schmidt, Carl Shmidt and Bobby Newman. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Eula Bernice Custer, of Karnes City, TX passed away on  Thursday, December 6, 2018 at the age of 89. Mrs. Custer was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Fred Andrews and Emelia Tiemann Andrews; her husband, Len Elwood Custer in 2000; her sisters, Betty Gustafson and Mary Woods; and her brothers, Charlie and Ben  Andrews grandsons, Sean and Eric Custer and great grandaughter, Hope Kotara. Bernice is survived by her daughters: Annette(Raymond) Kotara of Karnes City,TX and Linda (Chuck) Pommier of Eagan, Minnesota; sons: Len E. (Sharon) Custer, Jr. of Kenedy,TX, Dickie (Pam) Custer, of Chesterfield, Virginia and Mike (Carolyn) Patterson of San Antonio,TX;  grandchildren: Tiffany (Wilson) Cauley, Tyler Custer, Cassandra Norris, Stephen (Candice) Kotara, Brian Kotara, Scott Kotara, Sherri (Andy) Garcia, Len (Shiela) Custer, III; Jennifer (Craig) Sadlak; Chris Pommier, Beverly (Todd) Rasmus, Michelle (Jon) Abell, 19 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, best friends Dorothy and Bob Thomas and the caring staff at Karnes City Health and Rehabilitation Center. Visitation will be held Sunday, December 9, 2018 from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel. Funeral services Monday, December 10, 2018 at 11:00a.m. at Eckols Chapel with interment to follow in Kenedy Cemetery. Pallbearers: Dickie Custer, Raymond Kotara,Mike Patterson, Len Custer III, Scott Kotara,  Tyler Custer. Honorary Pallbearers: Len E. Custer Jr., Stephen Kotara, Andy Garcia, Robert Thomas.

Sharon Ann Sosa Lara, Age 50 of Kenedy, TX passed away on November 30, 2018 in Victoria, TX. Sharon was born on April 30, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois to Demetrio and Josie Rodriguez Sosa. She was a homemaker and of the Christian Faith.  She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Saturnino and Adelina Rodriquez, paternal grandparents, Santiago and Sarita Sosa; infant brother, Demetrio Sosa; niece, Stephanie Sanders; nephews, Austin Cruz and Christopher Nava.  She is survived by her husband, Mike Wardwell of Kenedy; daughters, Kimberly Nichole Baldera of Bloomington, Jasmine Renee Ebanks of Bloomington, Gina Mariah Rosales of Victoria; son, Santiago Anthony Sosa of Kenedy; sisters, Francis Sosa Nava of Taft, Mary Ann Sosa of Edna, Sandra Ann Sosa Salinas of Kenedy, Sara Ann Sosa of Kenedy, Samantha Ann Sosa Salinas of Kenedy, Stacy Ann Sosa Cruz of Kenedy; brothers, Edward Sosa of Bay City, Demetrio Sosa, Jr. of Kenedy; grandchildren, Zeah Karrine Morales, Allanah Ann Lerma Sosa, Edward Dominguez, Daniel Josue Herrera, Raelynn Sosa and Izabella Cruz.  She loved to gather with family and play bingo. She’s a proud Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs fan. Her passion was to spend as much time as she could with her family and friends. She’s known as “the Bingo Queen” a woman who loved to crochet and be with her grandkids. She was a proud grandmother of 6.  Family Visitation will be held Monday, December 3, 2018 from 6PM to 9PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 2PM at the First Mexican Baptist Church with the Rev. Basillio Martinez officiating.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Jerry Hopkins, of Karnes City,TX was born on January 1, 1966 in Karnes City,Texas passed away on November 25, 2018.He was the son of the late A.J. (Peter) and Dorothy Lee Hopkins. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. He was preceded in death by his parents A.J. and Dorothy Lee Hopkins, one sister, Sylvia Ann Hopkins and one brother Larry James Hopkins Sr.He leaves to cherish his memories a wife Dora Lara Hopkins, one stepdaughter Patricia Lara of Karnes City, Texs, five brothers, John Hopkins, Stanley (Mary Jane) Hopkins, Russell (lanell) Hopkins, Joe (Amanda) Hopkins all of Karnes City, Albert (T.J.) Hopkins of San Antonio,TX three sisters, Shirley Williams (Stanley) of Kenedy,TX, Cora Thomas, of Karnes City and Thelma Hopkins of San Antonio, Texs and a host of relatives and friends. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 2, 2018 starting at 12:00p.m. with Funeral Services at 2:00p.m. at Eckols Chapel with interment in Karnes City Memory Garden Cemetery. Pallbearers: Jerome Hopkins Sr., Willie Pleasant, Dennis Bujnoch, Louie Soliz, Larry Salinas, Jeffery Butler, Bryan Morin, Christopher Thomas.

Robert Lee Busselman, 84 of Karnes City, Texas died Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Eden Hills Community in New Braunfels, Texas.

Robert was born September 18, 1934 to Otto Robert and Thekla Fenner Busselman in Lenz, Texas.  He grew up in Karnes City, Texas and graduated from Karnes City High School at the age of 16.  Following high school, he delivered newspapers, worked for Hubbard’s Grocery Store, and for International Harvester.  In August of 1953, he joined the Army and left for Fort Bliss Army Base, in El Paso, Texas.  Before leaving for Germany, he married Betty Jane Coldewey at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on June 20, 1954.  He sailed to Kaiserslautern, Germany where he was a radar operator and served the remaining of his enlistment returning home in June of 1955.  Following his service in the army, he farmed, worked for International Harvester, Coke a Cola Bottling Company, Purina Feed Co. and as a welder for Elliott Gross in Kenedy, TX.

During the drought years, it became difficult to maintain a living as a farmer/rancher, so he attended Department of Public Safety School in Austin, Texas. Then he moved his family to San Antonio in February of 1960 where he was a DPS Patrolman.  After working as a Driver’s License Patrolman for 4 years, he worked for the Atomic Energy Commission as an electronics technician performing tests and making repairs on atomic bombs and other munitions at Medina Base. Working from 8a.m. – 5p.m. was boring during those years, and being anxious to fill his extra time, he began taking college courses.   After completing an Associate of Science Degree from San Antonio College in January of 1965, he moved his family to Houston,  began attending the University of Houston and subsequently entered Bates College of Law.  While attending school part time and working full time at NASA as an electronic technician on  the Gemini trainer for the astronauts, he had the opportunity to meet and work with famous astronauts such as Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Ed White and many others.  Following his work on the Gemini trainer, he worked for EAI at NASA as a computer technician.  Graduating with a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree from the University of Houston and passing the bar exam in 1970, he practiced law for one year in Houston before moving his family back home to Karnes City opening his private law office in Kenedy, Texas in 1971.  He practiced law for a total of 47 years which included a partnership with Scarborough, Roberts,  Busselman, & Berry.  During those years, he served as city attorney for Falls City, Runge and Kenedy as well as a director of First Nichols National Bank.  He was appointed County Attorney of Karnes County on December 1, 1999 and served 3 consecutive terms, a total of 13 years.  Serving as president of the Rotary Club and Kenedy Chamber of Commerce as well as judge advocate for the Kenedy VFW were some of the organizations in which he participated.

As an active member of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Houston, King of Kings Lutheran Church in Houston , and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Karnes City, he taught Sunday School and served on church council.

Robert enjoyed visiting and talking with people anywhere anytime. Completing his years as County Attorney, he continued to practice law until his retirement. Early mornings you would find him at the City Pharmacy or Becky’s visiting with friends while enjoying a cup of coffee or breakfast.  The retired men who gather early mornings proudly named their group, “The Romeo Club” (Retired Old Men Eating Out).

Robert Lee Busselman is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Jane Coldewey Busselman of Karnes City; daughters: Debbie Kay Busselman Witte (Mark) of Karnes City, Brenda Gay Busselman Gregory (Russell) of Pflugerville; sons: Bobby Ray Busselman (Diane) of Rowlett, Kevin Jay Busselman (Janice) of Hallettsville and 8 grandchildren: Kristin Witte Hubbard (Trey)  of San Marcos, Erin Witte Fudge (Justin) of Karnes City, Dustin Cole Witte (Jackie) of Karnes City , Amber Gregory Shand (David) of Wimberley, Chase Colby Gregory of Pflugerville, Justin Jay Busselman (Alexis) of Inez, Megan Elizabeth Busselman of College Station , and Sarah  Nicole Busselman of College Station; 11 Great Grandchildren:  Baleigh Fudge, Broden Fudge, Kilyn Hubbard, Karsyn Hubbard, Lucas Witte, Ryan Gregory, Rylee Gregory, Brody Shand, Bostyn Shand, Kenedy Busselman and Ryder Busselman; three nephews: Dwayne, Robbie and Chris Busselman  and one niece Kim Busselman  Hadley.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Thekla Busselman; brother, Billy Joe Busselman, sister, Ira Lee Busselman;  and great grandson, Tysen Russell Shand.

Visitation will be at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy, TX from 4:00-7:00p.m. on Dec. 7, 2018

Funeral Services will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Karnes City, TX at 10:30a.m. on Dec. 8, 2018

Inurnment will follow in the Karnes City Cemetery, Karnes City, TX.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

-Alzheimer’s Association online at www.alz.org

-Karnes County Sheriff’s Department

500 E. Wall Street

Karnes City, Texas 78118

-St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

408 S. Davidson

Karnes City, TX 78118

-South Texas Children’s Home

P.O. Box 1210

Beeville, Texas 78104-1210

-Charity of Choice

On any donations, please note dad’s name in care of P.O. Box 461, Karnes City, TX 78118 so we can acknowledge your donation.