Benny Leon Alexander, born June 16, 1934 in Stephens County Oklahoma, left this life on April 26, 2015 at his home in Kenedy, Texas.  He is preceded in death by his parents Alpha Carson Alexander and Charles (Choc) Alexander as well as his sister, Shirley Ann Alexander, all of Duncan Oklahoma.

Benny was an ambitious and hard worker even at an early age. Before he was ten years old Ben had a paper route, and later he set up pins at a bowling alley.   In his early teens he raised hogs, and as a freshman in high school, he leased the school agriculture land and raised crops.

Ben followed World War II as a grade school student reading the war news avidly since his beloved uncles and father were serving overseas. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy early because he was so anxious to serve his country. He celebrated his 18^th birthday on board a ship.  He visited many places while in the Navy including, Korea, Japan, South Africa, and Hawaii.  Ben’s entire life he was fiercely patriotic. After September 11, he was disappointed that he was unable to serve his country.

Ben graduated from Mississippi Southern College and later did graduate work at West Texas State.

Ben married in 1957, and was blessed with two beautiful daughters of whom he was always immensely proud.

Later, Ben moved to Kenedy, Texas where he taught Science. The students Ben taught during the early 60’s would remain special to him his entire life, attending many of their reunions and becoming lifelong friends with several.

While in Kenedy, he leased land and bought his first Santa Gertrudis cattle. This was the beginning of Ben’s now well respected herd of A + cattle.  Although Ben rarely ran more than 300 head, the Santa Gertrudis Breeders International Association acknowledged his tremendous impact on the breed by inducting him into the SGBI Hall of Fame this past March.   When told of this honor, Ben was humbly proud, especially pleased his children and grandchildren would know he had done the best he could and had been honored by those in his business.

Ben married Robbin Homeyer of Kenedy, Texas in Utopia, Texas on July 22, 1981, and they made their home northeast of Kenedy for almost 34 years.  Ben was blessed again with three more children. Alongside his new workforce of children, he cleared the land and left it better than he found it.

Ben has five children: Jayne Fry of Wichita, KS; Jana Wooderson (Chris) of Ark City, KS; Amy Seal (Robert) of Karnes City, TX; Gina Sugarek (Jim) of Beeville, TX; and Ben Ross Alexander (Genna) of Karnes City, TX.  He leaves six grandchildren: Suzanne Fry, Corbyn Fry (Ali), Kayce Jo Mayes, Hunter Mayes, Decker Seal and Samantha Sugarek.   He has one great grandchild, Corbyn and Ali’s son, Noah.

Ben lived a full life, raising children and cattle, traveling the world, and learning all he could.  Always striving for excellence in every aspect of life.  He leaves a tradition of putting forth A+ effort in all you do for A+ quality results.

There will be a visitation held Thursday April 30, 2015 from 5-6:30pm and a memorial service to follow at 6:30.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Chisolm Trail Church of Christ in Duncan, Oklahoma, the

Raul Garza age 77 of Kenedy died April 25, 2015.  He was born Dec. 19, 1937 in Runge to Diego & Dora Caballero Garza, Sr.  He married Mamie Beltran Oct. 17, 1964 in Karnes City.  He was a retired truck driver.  He is survived by Sisters Lydia (Edward) Downey, Patricia (Dan) Salais, Elvira Garza, Alice Sanchez, Cynthia (Patrick) Seals.  Brothers Fidencio (Connie) Garza, Manuel Garza, Albert Garza, Diego (Elizabeth) Garza, Jr., Leroy (Anna) Garza, & James Garza.  A Rosary will be recited Tue. April 28, 2015 at 7 PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Mass will be held Wed. Apr. 29, 2015 10 AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Interment will follow at a later date in the Runge Cemetery.

Karnes City, TX  Rudolph died April 25, 2015. John Polasek was born Apr. 9, 1933 to Tom & Alice Bordovsky Polasek in Coy City, TX. He was a veteran of the Korean War.  He retired from Enserch in 1988 & became a farmer & rancher.  He was active in the old machinery and engines where he was a member of the Rio Grande Machinery and Antique Club.  He is survived by his wife Betty June Lieke Polasek, two brothers Mike (Ruby) Polasek of Coy City, Tommy Polasek of Hobson, Sisters Frances Zidek of Pleasanton, JoAnn Kroll of Hobson.  A Rosary will be recited Monday, at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.   Funeral Mass will be Held Tuesday at St. Cornelius Catholic Church at 10:00 AM in Karnes City, TX with the Rev. Jeff Polasek officiating.  Interment will follow at the Lauback Family & Friends Cemetery.

Weldon H. Anderson age 71 of Kenedy died April 10, 2015.  He was born in Kenedy July 12, 1943  to Howard and Ruby Carlson Anderson, who preceded him in death.  Weldon graduated from Kenedy High School in 1961.  He married Jan Lewallen Aug. 9, 1975 at the First Baptist Church in Kenedy.  He retired from Ashland  as a Process Operator after 40 plus years.  He was a Deacon and served on numerous boards, primary the House & Grounds at the First Baptist Church., also served on the Kenedy Parks Board.He is survived by his wife Jan Anderson of Kenedy, son Chris Anderson of Marina Del Ray, CA, Sister Eleanora (Lorry) Sandahl of Rockford, IL Brother Ken Anderson of Gatesville, TX.Visitation will be Sunday, April 12, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Eckols Chapel.  Funeral Services will be Monday, April 13, 2015 at 10:00 AM from the First Baptist Church in Kenedy.

Memorials may be donated to First Baptist Renovation Fund or the South Texas children Home.

Ignacio S. Garza, Age 61 of Kenedy, TX passed away on Monday, April 6, 2015 in San Antonio, TX.  He was born on Dec. 21, 1953 in Kenedy, TX to the late Felipe and Elvira Sainz Garza.   He was a retired Meat Cutter and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Guadalupe Garza and a brother Gilbert Garza.He is survived by his daughters; Valerie Garza of Beeville, Veronika Alyssa Ramirez of Houston; sister, Alice Corbin and husband John of Victoria; brothers, Felipe Garza and wife Rosalinda of Stafford, Henry Garza and wife Mary of Richmond, George Garza and wife Patricia of Stafford; grandchildren; Anthony Villarreal, Jr., Christin Villarreal, Kaitlyn Ashlee Sauceda, Cameron Bryce Terrell; and a great grandchild Ayden Anthony Villarreal.A Rosary will be recited Wed. April 8, 2015 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be held Thur. April 9, 2015 at 9:00 AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery.

Vivian Alaniz Cases, Age 30 of Seguin, TX passed on April 2, 2015 as her life was taken early.  She was born on April 22, 1984 in Aguna, Guam to Andrew Balanag Cases and Palmira Alaniz Cases.  She was a beloved daughter, mother, sister, loved to sing had an open heart loving everyone and was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Seguin, TX. She is preceded in death by her maternal grandfather Santiago S. Alaniz, Jr. and paternal grandfather Felix Cases.She is survived by her father, Andrew Balanag Cases of Seguin; Mother Palmira Alaniz Cases of Corpus Christi; children; Sariah Boston, Neveah Baird and Elijah Grimaldo of Corpus Christi; sister, Abby Fuller of Seguin and brother, Andrew Alaniz Cases of San Antonio, maternal grandmother Maria Rivas Alaniz of Pawnee, paternal grandmother Florentina Cases of the Phillipines and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.A Rosary was recited Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel in Kenedy, TX.  Funeral Mass was held Friday, April 10, 2015 at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy, TX with the Rev. Norbert Hermann officiating.   Interment will follow in the De Ntra Sra De Guadalupe Cemetery in Pawnee, TX.

Robert Hubbard Kibbe passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2015.  Robert was born February 2, 1953 in San Antonio, Texas to Robert Hardin and Wyble Lea Hubbard Kibbe.  He married Karen Berrey on December 29, 1973.  During their 41 years of marriage they were blessed with two children, a son and a daughter.

He was preceded in death by his father and one older brother, Gary Kibbe.  He is survived by his wife, son Robert G (Lisa) Kibbe, daughter Rachel (Nick) Williams, grandchildren: Robert T., Kimberly, Joshua and Rebekah Kibbe, Aaron and Grace Williams, his mother, one brother Charles (Margaret) Kibbe, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Robert graduated from Stockdale High School, Howard Payne University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He served as an enlisted Chaplain’s Assistant in the Army and as a Chaplain in the Army Reserve.  He also served 20 years as a chaplain with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institution Division.  In that capacity, he ministered to the prisoners and staff of seven units.

Bob’s calling in life was to present the gospel and minister to those who are marginalized by society.  He also loved working with his hands, crafting many useful and beautiful objects.  All who have encountered him recently can testify to his enjoyment of seeing Phil. 1:12 being worked out in his life.

Services are being conducted by Eckols Funeral Home.  The visitation will be there on Wednesday, March 25 from 5:00 to 9:00 and a Celebration of his life will be held at the Echols Funeral Chapel on Thursday, March 26 at 10:00 AM with interment at the Kenedy Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, those who would like can give donations to: Forgiven Ministry, Inc. (One Day with God) 200 Macedonia Church Road, Taylorsville, NC  28681; Prison Fellowship, P. O. Box 1550 Merrifield, VA  22116-1550; or the South Texas Children’s Home Ministries, P. O. Box 759 Beeville, TX  78104-0759

Kaye Smith died peacefully on March 16, 2015 in Houston, TX., where she was surrounded by all her loved ones. She was 58.

Kaye was born December 7, 1956 in Bay City, TX to her parents, Joe and Tommie Griggs.  She married the love of her life James “Bubba” Smith in 1978.  After moving around some they settled in Rockport with their two sons.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandma, and friend that would take anyone in and care for them no matter what.  She had a great sense of humor and always loved a joke.  One of Kaye and Bubba’s favorite loves was to ride their Harley Davidson and watch the band Riptide.

Kaye is survived by her husband James “Bubba” Smith, her son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Amanda Smith; her son, Thomas Smith; her daughter, April Benavidez; her sister Carolyn Sue; her sister, Becky Dolan; her brother and sister-in-law, Joe Bill and Rosie Griggs; her brother, Jimmy; and 5 grandchildren.

She will be greatly missed and always kept in our hearts. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 20, 2015, at 2:00 P.M. with Family Visitation starting at 12:00 Noon in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel in Kenedy, TX.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery, Kenedy, TX

Enrique Medina, Age 64 of Karnes City, TX passed away on March 17, 2015 in Karnes City, TX.  He was born on June 6, 1950 in Kenedy, TX to the late Refugio, Sr. and Maria Ybarra Medina.  He was retired from the oil field and a Christian.

He is survived by a daughter Sandra Medina of Karnes City, a son Darrell Medina of Kenedy,6 grandchildren and 2 grt-grandchildren

A Prayer Service will be held Thurs. March 19, 2015 at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Services will be Friday March 20, 2015 at 10AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery.

Lora Bernice Homeyer Madsen, born August 23,1925 in the Karnes City Area to William (Bill) Homeyer and Annie P. Cowan, entered Heaven March 3, 2015.Lora comforted her children during her last days as much as they comforted her.  Her faith and peace that passes our understanding was a daily testimony to her daughter Phyllis Stanley and her son Tom Madsen as well as to others around her.Lora married Arthur Eugene Madsen June 21, 1946 in Kenedy.  Lora was active in P.T.A, Little League Mothers, Band Mothers and other school activities.  Lora was a member of First Baptist Church Kenedy, Texas serving over the years as nursery and middle school teacher, secretary for the Adult Department, Church Secretary and Sunday school class member. Lora and Arthur both worked many years for Stimson’s Furniture Company, enjoying the Christian atmosphere of the company and family.Lora was a dedicated daughter to William (Bill) Homeyer and Annie P. Cowan (both deceased), faithful wife to Arthur Eugene Madsen (now deceased), and loving mother to Tom (Kasia) Madsen of Bandera and Phyllis Stanley of Kenedy.  Three of Lora’s brothers preceded her in death: Jim, Dan and Joe Homeyer.  Surviving Lora is her brother Bob (Ruth) Homeyer of Kenedy.  Lora’s joy was her grandsons Clint Madsen of Robstown, Travis Madsen of San Antonio and Carl J. ( Mary) Stanley of Norman, Oklahoma and great grandchildren Cienna Madsen of San Antonio, and Baylee, Nash, Camden, and Jaxon Stanley of Norman, Oklahoma.The family she joins in Heaven  were responsible for the character traits she learned at an early age. She saw faith in action through her parents and adopted that as her own through Jesus Christ.  She learned responsibility through helping her mother raise four rambunctious boys.  She often went to help other family members with new babies or during illnesses learning service and compassion.   The fruits of the spirit show through Lora’s life.The family Lora leaves behind have benefited from her Christian witness through her actions and words.  She wondered what purpose the Lord could have leaving her alive blind, very hard of hearing, weak,and unable to be out of the house; but it was enough for her that God was in control. After years of feeling that she had to be working, busy and productive all the time, she realized what God really wants is for us to spend time with Him. So she did. She prayed constantly and talked to her Lord.

Family Visitation was held Friday, March 6, 2015 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Services were held Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 10AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Matt Homeyer officiating.  Interment followed in the Karnes City Cemetery in Karnes City, TX.