Manuel C. De Leon, Age 55, of Runge, TX passed away Wed. April 20, 2016 in Runge, TX.   He was born on May 19, 1960 in Berclair, TX to Manuel, Sr. and Ernestina Cardenas De Leon.  He was a retired cowboy and a Christian.

He is preceded in death by his father Manuel C. De Leon, Sr.

He is survived by his daughters, Karran Castro and husband Fidel of Runge, Robin Nicole De Leon of Cuero; sisters, Juanita Amaya of Kenedy, Mary Ann Janssen of Kenedy; brothers, Jesse Pardo of Rosenberg, Isidro Pardo of Sinton and 6 grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Fri. April 22, 2016 from 6PM to 8PM in the Eckols Chapel. Services will be Sat. April 23, 2016 at 11AM in the Eckols Chapel with the Rev. Basilio Martinez officiating. Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

Shirley Loretta Rogers Berthold, Age 81, of Pettus, TX passed away Saturday, April 16, 2016 in Pettus, TX. Shirley was born on August 17, 1934 in White Castle, LA to the late Theodore Rogers and Pauline I. Weeks Meyers.   On June 7, 1955 she married Jesse Louis Berthold.   She was a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great- grandmother, a dedicated Nurse and a devout member of New Life Baptist Church in Beeville, TX.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Theodore Rogers and Pauline I. Weeks Meyers; sister, Opal Hurling; brothers, Teddy Rogers, Paul Rogers, and L.G. Rogers.

She is survived by her loving husband, Jesse L. Berthold of Pettus; daughters, Rebecca Marie Cameron of Pettus, Patricia Gail Killam and husband Glenn of Pettus; son, Jesse F. Berthold and wife Deanie of Beeville; brothers, Danny Meyer and wife Eileen of Harper, Tommy Meyer and wife Caroline of San Antonio; grandchildren, David Wayne (Christina) O’Brien, Melissa Marie (Mark) Olguin, Ashlie Nicole (Randy) Whittemore, Lindsie Paige (Brennan) Sharon, Brandy Dawn (Shane) Whittley, Shalaine Denise Lankston, Michael Shane Killam; and great-grandchildren, Cadence O’Brien, Ayumi O’Brien, Jayce Constante, Gavin Herrera, Jayden Herrera, Farrah Whittemore, Aden Whittemore, Xavier Whittemore, Ender Whittemore, Madison Perez, Brayden Sharon, Emersyn Sharon, Brynlee Whittley, Conner Whittley and Kaybree Whittley.

Family Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 19, 2016 from 6PM to 8PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be held Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 11AM at New Life Baptist Church in Beeville, TX with Pastor Jesse Berthold, Pastor Glenn Killam and Pastor John Sisk officiating.  Interment will follow in the Beeville Memorial Park, Beeville, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Bobo Bowman, Larry Wren, Randy Whittemore, Brennan Sharon, Shane Whitley and Michael Killam.

Honorary Pallbearers are Tony Ojeda II, Ed Cook, Manual Gonzales, Justin Meyer, David O’Brien and Jayce Constante.

Memorials may be made to the Tony Ojeda, III Youth Foundation C/O New Life Baptist Church, Beeville, TX.

Steven Mark Harborth, Age 60 of Kenedy, TX passed away on April 3, 2016 in Kenedy, TX. He was born on July 9, 1955 in Lyford, TX to Adolph Charles and Opal Allie Dilbeck Harborth. He owned and operated Harborth Construction and served his country proudly in the United States Marine Corps.  He is preceded in death by his father Adolph Charles Harborth.  He is survived by his mother, Opal Allie Dilbeck Harborth; sons, Daniel Mark Harborth and wife Stacye, Christopher Allen Harborth; granddaughter, Allye Harborth;  sisters, Janice Dalgeish, Sharon Leonerdo and brothers, Larry Harborth and Bruce Harborth.  A Visitation will be held Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 1PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.

Shirley Ann Malaer, age 73 of Tuleta, Texas passed away April 1, 2016 in Corpus Christi, TX.  She was born on December 10, 1943 in Kenedy, Texas to the late Albert Gerald and Mattie Elizabeth Frederick Baker.  She married Louis Malaer on December 22, 1985 in Tuleta, TX.  Shirley retired after 29 years of service at the South Texas Children’s Home as a house mother and Director of Cottage Life; was a member of First Baptist Church of Tuleta; a volunteer for Helping Hands and a dedicated and loyal wife, mother, and friend. She believed in God, and shared her faith openly with everyone with whom she came in contact. Shirley loved her job working with the kids at STCH until she retired. After retiring, she was actively involved in her church and community. Shirley loved her family, especially her grandchildren. She was committed to the love of her life, Louis Malaer, in marriage, friendship, and an absolute love of life.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Albert Gerald and Mattie Elizabeth Baker; son, Marvin Ronald Sullivan; sister, Mary Homeyer; brothers, Albert Baker and Cecil Baker.

She is survived by her loving husband Louis Malaer; daughters, Letricia Gayle Hinze and husband Bill of Floresville, TX, Dana Beth Correll and husband Matthew of Elizabeth, CO, Terri Lynn Miller and husband Larry of McAllen, TX, Tami Kaye Warren and husband Wade of George West, TX; sons, Robert Allen Malaer and wife Jerusha of Bend, OR, Clifton Louis Malaer and wife Laenette of Tuleta, TX, 16 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

Visitation will be Monday, April 4, 2016 from 6PM to 8PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be held Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 10AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Homer Hanna and Rev. Jack Allen officiating.  Interment will follow at the Pilgrim Cemetery near Nixon, TX

Pallbearers will be Steven Vasquez, Eric Vasquez, Peyton Correll, Grant Correll, Dylan Malaer, Clifton Louis Malaer, Greg Husky, and Roy Cox.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Ty Homeyer, Tilman Homeyer, Jackie Shulze, and James (Corky) Warren.

Memorial donations may be made to the South Texas Children’s Home, First Baptist Church Tuleta, TX or the Kieschnick House Corpus Christi, TX.

Winnie Bess Hyatt Wood died Friday Feb. 26, 2016 in San Antonio. She was born to Jess McCoy & Bessie Flowers Hyatt in Gillett Oct. 29, 1929.  She married Cecil W. Wood Feb. 19, 1948 in Kenedy  and he preceded her in death Jan. 14, 2014.  She is also preceded in death by her parents,  sisters Robbie Pope & Elizabeth Melvin, brothers Jack B. Hyatt & Jess McCoy Hyatt.

Winnie is survived by her daughters Michele (Leonard) Rodriguez of Karnes City, Melinda (Chris) Thompson of San Antonio, Cynthia Jo (Kyle) Green of Port Allen, LA One sister Lillian Cox of Corpus Christi.

A visitation will be held Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Eckols Chapel. Funeral Services will be held Monday, Feb. 29^th. At 11:00 AM at the Harmony Baptist Church with interment in the Harmony

Sandra Venecia, Age 47 of Holly Springs North Carolina, formerly of Kenedy, TX passed away February 27, 2016 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

She was born on June 20, 1968 in Karnes City, TX to the Late Eugenio and Rita Vera Venecia. She was an assistant administrator for Wake County and a Christian.

She is preceded in death by her parents Eugenio and Rita Vera Venecia.

She is survived by her husband, Javier Hernandez of Holly Springs, NC; daughter Rita Raquel Hernandez of Cuero, TX; son Javier Alcides Hernandez of Holly Springs, NC; sisters, Irene Gonzalez of Choate, Enedina Olivarez of Cuero and brother Eugene Venecia, Jr.

A Prayer Service will be held Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Services will be Friday, March 4, 2016 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Eugene Venecia, Ross Venecia, Joe Escandon, Jr., Joe Escandon, III, Dylan Olivarez, Paul Olivarez.

Louis William “Butch” Lobner, Jr., Age 53 of Kenedy, TX passed away Tuesday, March 2, 2016. He was born on April 19, 1962 in Beeville, TX to Louis William Lobner, Sr. and the late Gladys Broz Lobner. He retired from AEP in El Campo, TX, was a Veteran of the US Army and a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. He married Mary Lynn Irwin on March 7, 1992 in Kenedy, TX.

He is preceded in death by his mother Gladys Broz Lobner.

He is survived by his loving wife Mary Lynn Irwin Lobner of Kenedy, Father Louis W. Lobner, Sr. of Seguin, daughter Natalie Bednorz of Kenedy; sons, Wayne (Kristina) Bednorz of Corpus Christi, Charlie Lobner of Kenedy; grandson Wesley Green of Kenedy; sisters, Barbara Kotzur of Kenedy, and Judith Robles of San Antonio, TX.

Family Visitation was held Fri. March 4, 2016 from 5PM to 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Services were at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Sat., March 5, 2016 at 10:30 AM with the Rev. Wally Schievelbein officiating.

In Lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Accolade Hospice Foundation, 222 W. Grand Ave., Yoakum, TX 77995

Pallbearers were Leo Janysek, Roger Gaskamp, Kody Kanak, Dell Hallmark, Norbert Dziuk, Manuel Garza

Alicia Munoz age 86 of Kenedy passed away Friday March 25, 2016. She was born April 2, 1929 in Ecleto, TX to Enemencio & Trinidad Perez Alaniz. She is preceded in death by her husband Rudolfo Munoz, Sr.; parents Enemencio and Trinidad Perez Alaniz; daughter Consuelo DeHoyos and son Rudy Munoz, Jr.

She is survived by her daughters, Esperanza (Tony, Jr.) Longoria of Nordheim and Trini (Philip) Montez of Kenedy; sons, Gilbert (Lucy) Munoz of Karnes City, Ruben (Maria) Munoz of Kenedy and Raul Munoz of Kenedy; sisters, Simona Lara of Corpus, Eva Gonzales of Kenedy & Margaret Torres of Seguin.

A Holy Rosary will be held Tuesday, March 29^, 2016 at 6:30 PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating.  Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Pallbearers will Mikey Montez, Tony Longoria, III, Henry Munoz, Ruben Munoz, Jr., Gilbert Munoz, Jr., Henry Munoz, Ricardo Rodriguez, Rey Rodriguez, and Joseph Munoz.

Donna Faye Donnell passed away March 24, 2016. She was born Oct. 31, 1947 in Freer, TX to John & Faye Bagwell.

Donna was a 1966 graduate of Pettus High School. She married Robert G. Grayson and they had Shelley & Shane.  Donna was preceded in death by Robert in October of 1981.  Donna found love a second time and married Gene Donnell in December of 1981.

Donna lived a blessed life, surrounded by her precious children and grandchildren, traveling the world with her husband.

Donna is survived by her loving husband of 34 years, Gene Donnell, two sons, Shane Grayson (Shannon) Grayson and Keith (Lauren) Donnell, three daughters Shelley Grayson, Stephanie Donnell (James Borroum), and Susan Donnell; fourteen grandchildren, Christian, Ryan, John, Makayla, Garett, Lyla, Travis, Logan, Casey, Nick, Hailey, Grace, Joely, and Sage; one great grandson Cash; brothers, Curtis (Bea) Bagwell, John (Linda) Bagwell; Clifford (Cindy) Bagwell, Ricky (Karen) Bagwell Troy (Sandra) Bagwell, Clinton Bagwell and one Sister Debbie Bagwell and many nieces and nephews and friends.

A visitation will be held Monday, March 28, 2016 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 2:00 PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ron Lynn and Ricky Bagwell officiating.  Interment will be in the Choate Cemetery.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Clifford Bagwell, Clinton Bagwell, Troy Bagwell, Curtis Bagwell, Ricky Bagwell, and John Bagwell.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Donna’s grandchildren & great grandson.

Memorials may be made to Driscoll Children’s Hospital or MD Anderson Hospital.

Eric Edwin Fransen, Sr., 86, of Kenedy, peacefully entered eternal rest with Jesus on Monday, February 15, 2016. Eric was born December 11, 1929 in Kenedy, TX to the late Henry R. and Lillie V. Fransen. He was married 61 years to his one and only sweetheart, Elizabeth Ann Richter Fransen, who passed away two months ago.

Eric was also preceded in death by his parents, his sister Freda Grisham, and two baby brothers, Paul and Robert Fransen.

He is survived by his daughters, Wanda Brown and husband Charlie of Kenedy, Brenda Taylor and husband Rick of Kenedy; sons, Eric Fransen, Jr. and wife Fran of Kenedy, Robby Fransen and wife Rachel of Selma, CA, Kirby Fransen and wife Pam of Seguin; sisters Ruth Jones of Austin and Linda Fransen of Sweden; brother, John Fransen and wife Joyce of Kenedy, grandchildren, Philip Brown, Travis Brown, Katelyn Hopson, Robin Fransen-Serio, Eric Fransen, III, Rebecca Fransen, Cody Fransen, Alex Fransen, Boyd Fransen, Dale Fransen, Elizabeth Fransen, Hannah Fransen, Bradley Fransen, Matthew Fransen, Kimberly Fransen; great-grandchildren, Joseph Brown, Ryder Brown, Emma Brown, Maddie Brown, and Evelynn Fransen.

Eric grew up working on his family’s farm. He was a member of the Kenedy High School class of 1948. He met Ann when he was eleven years old, and it must have been love at first sight. They married in Kenedy on June 28, 1954.

Eric served two years in the U.S. Army, then he and Ann moved to his farm west of Kenedy, where he worked the land, raised collie puppies, and welcomed five children. He also raised and sold registered Polled Hereford cattle and seed for Douglas King Seed Company. He and his brother farmed a total of 1100 acres. In 1968, he went to work for General Mills as a maintenance mechanic and moved his family to a smaller farm inside the city limits of Kenedy.

Eric was a loving, devoted husband and father who worked hard and unfailingly provided for his family. He lived a simple, unassuming, and righteous life. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and always enjoyed listening to old-time gospel music and good preaching.

Eric was 100% Swedish and very frugal. He had a mechanical mind and skilled hands. He could fix anything. He had a passion for tractors, old cars, and junk. He loved home cooking, spending time with his family, and hunting for good deals.

Reading the newspaper was another of Eric’s favorite pastimes. He especially liked the comics; and while he often appeared to be reserved, those who knew him well were privileged to witness his keen sense of dry humor.

Eric’s life was a wholesome example to his children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed, but he is now rejoicing in Heaven with his beloved wife.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 19, 2016 from 5PM to 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral service will be held Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 10AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Interment will follow in the Karnes County Memorial Park Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.