Justin Blake Burnside, Age 32 of Yorktown, TX passed away January 10, 2018 in San Antonio, TX. Justin was born on May 20, 1985 in Karnes City, TX. He was a front desk manager for Southern Inn & Suites and a member of The Word Fellowship. Justin is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Jim Hartsfield, Sr. and paternal grandfather Curtis D. Pullin. Justin is survived by his parents Darla and Shane Pullin of Yorktown, TX; Father Lonzo Burnside, Maternal Grandmother Frances Macon Hartsfield, Paternal Grandmother Sherry Lana Koerth of George West, Uncles, Jim Hartsfield, Jr. of Kenedy, Wallace Hartsfield of Kenedy, Joey Hartsfield of Kenedy and numerous Great Aunts and Great Uncles and Cousins. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 17, 2018 from 6PM to 8PM in the Eckols Funeral Home, Chapel.  Services will be Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 10AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Walter Hill, III officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery, Kenedy, TX

Kevin Michael Johnson, Age 23, of San Antonio, TX passed from this life to be with his Lord and Savior on January 10, 2018. Kevin was born on March 14, 1994 in San Antonio, TX to Patrick Alan and Staci Walker Johnson. Kevin graduated from Texas A&M San Antonio in 2016 with a Bachelors in Communications and was a Customer Service Manager for Navy Federal Credit Union.  Kevin was a loving compassionate young man of Strong Christian Faith who loved his family, ministering the Lord’s gospel, being outdoors, traveling across the United States and other countries, singing, writing music, playing his guitar and a joyful blessing to all those around him.  Kevin is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Randall C. Walker and paternal grandparents Harding and Carol McCourt Johnson.  Kevin is survived by his parents, Patrick Alan and Staci Walker Johnson of San Antonio; sister, Kayla Johnson of San Antonio, maternal grandmother, Mary Beth Walker of Choate and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  Family Visitation will be held Sunday, January 14, 2018 from 5PM to 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, TX . Services will be Monday, January 15, 2018 at 1PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Zachary Van Veldhuizen officiating.  Interment will follow in the Choate Cemetery, Choate, TX.  Serving as Pallbearers will be Rhett Johnson, Chris Johnson, Grant Johnson, Michael Harrison Johnson, Scotty Walker, Noah Maddox, Justin Moravitz, Michael Moravitz, and Derek Walker.

Honorary Pallbearer will be Casey Walker.

Jean Lois Milam Atkinson of Kenedy passed away January 5, 2018 in a San Antonio hospital following a brief illness. She was born August 4, 1936 in San Antonio to Ralph E. and Lois Knowlton Milam, Jr.  She married Jim Tobe Atkinson on August 8, 1958 in San Antonio.  Jean enjoyed hunting, traveling and bowling and was a retired bookkeeper and substitute teacher.  She was a member of the Pawnee United Methodist Church.

Jean is survived by her husband Tobe, daughter Jamie & Larry Brown of Kenedy, grandson Dusty, wife Julie, and granddaughter Kate of College Station, sister, Ann and husband Tom Ransdell of Boerne, and brother- in-law Louis and Mary Ann Spreen of San Antonio, along with nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Mary Spreen, and her in-laws Marion and Annie Wallace Atkinson.

A Memorial Service was held Monday, January 8^th at the Eckols Chapel in Kenedy with Rev. Sue Huntsman officiating.  Memorials may be made to the Pawnee United Methodist Church P.O. Box 526, Pawnee, TX, 78145.

Dominga Cisneros Aguirre, Age 93 of Falls City, TX passed away January 1, 2018 in San Antonio, TX. Dominga was born on September 21, 1924 to the late Benino and Maria Cisneros.  She was a homemaker and a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband Macario Aguirre; parents, Benino and Maria Cisneros and a son Adolfo Aguirre.

She is survived by a cousin, Tom Cisneros, lifelong friend Dora Molina, step-granddaughter Mary Lou Jaramillo and a sister.

A Holy Rosary was recited Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass was held Friday, January 5, 2018 at 11AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with the Rev. Gregory Sawicki officiating in Falls City, TX.  Interment followed in the Falls City Cemetery, Falls City, TX.

Pallbearers were David Cisneros, Robert Cisneros, Jesse Perez, Trini Gamez, Louie Martinez and Robert Hidalgo.

John W. Stewart, Jr., 93 years-old of Kenedy, Texas, went to his Heavenly Rest this Easter weekend. His loving wife, Laura, was at his side, as she was nearly every day of his life and throughout more than seven decades of marriage.  A native Texan, John was born in Dallas, on May 18, 1924. During his elementary years, his family resettled in Port Jervis, New York, where he met Laura Chase while they were both 9 years-old. After graduating from Port Jervis High School, John joined the Coast Guard at the beginning of World War II.  After the war, John & his bride moved back to Texas to settle in Kenedy, where John found his place serving the community through the family business, Eckols Funeral Home. He also assisted with the family ranching business, raising herds of commercial livestock as well as selling and transporting Red Brahman cattle around the state of Texas and, indeed, around the world.  John was the proud father of four sons — John Winton, III (deceased); David of Kenedy, TX; Philip of San Antonio, TX; James of Bulverde, TX; Six grandchildren (Meredith Chase Ellis of Menlo Park, CA, Philip Chase Stewart of San Antonio, Stacy Stewart Rigby, Virginia Chase Stewart and Chandler Stewart of Bulverde; and Jeffrey Chase Stewart of Houston as well as three great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.  Though fondly known by his family for his love of the sea and deepwater fishing, residents of Kenedy, Texas likely know John’s principled devotion to serving his community. In addition to operating the Eckols Funeral Home — his calling as much as his job — he also served as a Deacon at the First Baptist Church in Kenedy, President of the Rotary Club,, member of the Kenedy Independent School Board, The Kenedy Masonic Lodge as well as the Kenedy Jaycees, and Past Treasurer for the Kenedy Little League. He was also a proud 70 year member of The Scottish Rite Masonic Order.  Through the years, John and Laura enjoyed vacationing by the ocean in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and along the Gulf Coast. His years in the Coast Guard allowed him the luxury of eating Stilton cheese and onions during family fishing trips on choppy waters, no doubt to the agony of his less sea-hardened crew.   Having lived a full life of early-to-bed and early-to-rise dedication to his family, faith, and community, John W. Stewart, Jr.’s eternal life will be celebrated at the following:  Family Visitation was held Tues. April 3, 2018 from 6PM to 8PM in the Eckols Funeral Home, Chapel. Services were held Wed. April 4, 2018 at 10AM in the Eckols Funeral Home, Chapel with the Rev. Tim Williams officiating.  Interment followed in the Kenedy Cemetery. Pallbearers were Dr. John Evans, Jeffrey Stewart, Philip Stewart, Bill Gregory, Brad Yeater and Patrick Tam.

Ignatz “Pete” Sczepanik was welcomed by his Savior on the afternoon of Thursday, January 11, 2018, in Panna Maria, Texas. Pete was born on September 8, 1942 in Harmony, Texas to Ignatz, Sr. and Regina Sczepanik.

He graduated from Karnes City High School. Pete served the United States honorably as part of the U.S. Army and was stationed in Korea.

He was a devoted Catholic and faithful parishioner of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Cestohowa, Texas.

Pete was a loving husband, father, brother, Opa, and Popo to his newest grandson, Desmond. He enjoyed tending to his ranch, cattle, chickens, guineas, dogs, and cats (especially, his cat, Riley). He also loved to watch his “pet” deer. Some of his past times included watching Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune, the western channel, and sports.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ignatz and Regina Sczepanik; brothers, Andrew Sczepanik and Fabian Sczepanik; sisters, Catherine Hill and Lillian Sczepanik; nephew, Brandon Sczepanik; and sister-in-law, Rose Mary Sczepanik.

He is survived by wife, Lailey Lambert Sczepanik, the love of his life, his ten children, whom he loved to brag on daily (much to their embarrassment). He was extremely proud of the fact that all of his children attended college; Romney Sample (Derek), Eric Sczepanik, Duncan Sczepanik (Clare), Kirk Sczepanik (Tina), Seth Sczepanik, Tobin Sczepanik, Dr. Darcy Seaton (Jeffery), Dr. Katya Sczepanik, Dr. Emily Brysch (Joseph), and Alexis Sczepanik (soon to be Dr.); grandchildren, Stephanie Mcelhatten, Joseph Barkley, Sarah Perez (Nathan), Robert Sczepanik, Shelby Sczepanik, Kaylie Garcia, and Desmond Brysch; great-grandchildren, Belladonna, Sierna, Emmalynn, and Benjamin; sister, Alice Mohr, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A rosary was held Monday, January 15, 2018 at 7:00PM and a funeral mass was held Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 10:00AM at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Cestohowa, Texas. Msgr. Frank Kuraj and Fr. Andrzej Waszczenko officiated the services. Pallbearers included Eric Sczepanik, Duncan Sczepanik, Kirk Sczepanik, Seth Sczepanik, Tobin Sczepanik and Robert Sczepanik

Mr. Benito A. Salinas, Jr.; of Kenedy was born on May 14, 1952 in Kenedy, TX to the late Benito P. Salinas, Sr. and Maria A. Salinas.  He married Susana Nunez Salinas December 27, 1986 in Kenedy, TX.  Bennie enjoyed spending time with his family, children, and grandchildren.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle a hard worker, a good provider, a friend to many and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.  He worked for Beck Brothers, Coastline Construction, Gonzales Trucking Company, Ranger Construction, Salinas Construction and Garcia Trucking Co.

He is preceded in death by his father, Benito P Salinas, Sr.; and sisters, Rachel Salinas and Maria Cecilia Salinas.

He is survived by his loving wife, Susana Nunez Salinas of Kenedy; sons, Michael A. Salinas and wife Tina of Choate, Bennie A. Salinas, III of Kenedy; daughters, Norma Jean Salinas Cantu and husband Marin of Kenedy, Suzette Salinas of Pasadena; his mother, Maria A. Salinas of Kenedy; sisters, Cynthia Solis and husband Jimmy Solis, Jr of Kenedy, Clara “Katy” Salinas of Falfurias; brothers, Baldomero “Boy” Salinas of Kenedy,  Robert Salinas of Kenedy and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Paige Glover, Aaron Michael Barrientez, Nathan Marine Cantu, Cotton Michael Salinas, Lauren Michael Salinas, Avery Michael Salinas, Aubriegh Mika Glover and Cash Gene Barrientez.

Public Visitation will begin Thursday, December 28, 2017 from 12Noon to 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with a Holy Rosary recited at 7PM by the Rev. Norbert Hermann. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, December 29, 2017 at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating.  Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Kenedy, TX

Serving as Pallbearers will be Aaron Michael Barrientez, Darren Cruz, Epi Arrisola, John Manuel Arrisola, Xavier Arrisola, and Michael Shane Grayson.

We Love You! You will be greatly missed. Until We Meet Again.

Lorene Louise Janek, 77, of Karnes City, died on December 1, 2017 at her residence in

Karnes City surrounded by family. She was born January 10, 1940, to Herbert and Ida

(Fenner) Windmeyer. She was a member of St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Karnes

City. She enjoyed country and western dancing, swimming, dove hunting and being

outdoors. Her biggest passion was spending time with family and lending a hand to those

in need.

She was preceded in death by her parents Herbert and Ida (Fenner) Windmeyer, beloved

husband, Edward Janek, brother, A.F. Windmeyer and niece Cindy Windmeyer.

Survivors include her daughters; Sheila (Patrick) Moczygemba and Sheri (Pete) Kotara;

grandchildren Traye (Magan) Moczygemba, Bryce (Erica) Moczygemba, Matthew

Kotara and Dylan Kotara; great grandchildren Brayden Moczygemba and Rylan

Teegardin; Sister-in-law Sandra Windmeyer, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation was held December 3, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 at Eckols Funeral Home in

Kenedy. A rosary was said following visitation.  The funeral mass was held at St.

Cornelius Catholic Church on December 4, 2017 followed by the burial at the Kenedy

Cemetery. She will be buried next to her husband, Edward

Marcine Florence Brosh Dupnik; Age 80 of Hobson, TX passed away Monday, November 13, 2017 at home surrounded by her loving family. Marcine was born on June 23, 1937 in Hobson to the late Victor and Angelina Olsovsky Brosh.  She married Louis W. Dupnik on April 26, 1958 in Hobson who preceded her in death on November 25, 2005.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, a devout member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and friend to many.  She is preceded in death by her husband Louis W. Dupnik; parents Victor and Angelina Olsovsky Brosh; sisters, Hermina Hermis, Sophie Brosh, Christine Syring and brothers, August Brosh and Felix Brosh.  She is survived by her daughters, Mary Ann Swafford and husband Jason of Hobson, Carolyn Opiela and husband Henry of Hobson, Kathleen Janysek and husband Robert of Hobson; sons, Michael Dupnik of San Marcos, Thomas Dupnik and wife Cindy of Hobson, John Dupnik of Hobson, Anthony Dupnik of Hobson, David Dupnik of Hobson; sister, Emma Donabauer of Kenedy; 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.  Family Visitation will begin Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 5PM at the St. Boniface Catholic Church with a Holy Rosary being recited at 7PM by the Rev. Adrezej Wasczenko. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, November 17, 2017 at 10AM at the St. Boniface Catholic Church with Rev. Andrezej Wasczencko officiating. Interment will follow in the Hobson Cemetery, Hobson, TX.

Nancy Etta Kauffmann Avant, a child of South Texas pioneers, community and business leaders died on November 8, 2017, in Corpus Christi, Texas.  She was born on May 24, 1924, in the Kauffmann family home in Kenedy, Texas. Nancy Etta,daughterof Adolph F. Kauffmann, Jr. and Nannette Rudisill Kauffmann, lived most of her life in the same home in Kenedy, Texas. As a talented tap dancer, young Nancy performed throughout Texas. After completing high school in 1940 at the age of 16 in Kenedy, she attended The University of Texas at Austin receiving a BS in Sociology in 1944.

Some would say she had bigger dreams and aspirations.  After graduating from UT she followed her passions for Interior Design and singing in New York City, New York where she studied at Parsons School of Design and the voice studio of Marion Mulholland.  Later Nancy returned to Texas, joining the Interior Design Department at Joske’s Department Store in San Antonio.

She soon meets a man who would steal her heart, Jim Avant, a young banker at Frost Bank. They were married on October 14, 1951. Their plans were to live in San Antonio but fate changed their lives very quickly.  Nancy’s father died suddenly later in 1951 and the newlyweds were called to come back to Kenedy to help run Kauffman Motor Company in Kenedy, Texas. For the next 45 years, they worked together to run the family Chevrolet dealership until Jim’s death in 1996.

Nancy never knew a stranger, always willing to entertain by dancing, singing and planning parties and of course, cooking. She served on the Otto Kaiser Hospital Board for 18 years and ran a successful Bed & Breakfast called the Hide-A-Way. She was a member of the Kenedy Rotary Club and was proud to be a Paul Harris Fellow. She was named Citizen of the Year of Karnes County in 2005.

For many years, Nancy was the featured soloist of First Methodist Church in Kenedy, Texas and shared her talent with many during funerals and weddings.

She is preceded in death by her father A. F Kauffmann Jr., mother Nannette Rudisill Kauffmann, husband James H. Avant, and brother A. F. Kauffmann III.

She is survived by her son, James K. Avant (Betty), Mesquite, Texas and her daughter, Nannette A. Borden (Allen), Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as3grandchildren, Alicia Avant, Jessie Avant,  Mesquite, Texas, Ben Borden (Madeleine Pare), Los Angeles, California  andone great-grandchild, Jaylee Bannister(Avant),Mesquite.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Nancy Avant will be held at 3 PM on Saturday, November 11^th at the Eckols Funeral Home located at 420 W. Live Oak, Kenedy, Texas.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the charity of your choice or the Rotary International Foundation at https://www.rotary.org/en/donate.