James D. Koepke
2014
(Editor's note: Jim Koepke was a patient of mine at the University of Maryland Dental School PLUS Program from 1991 until my husband and I relocated to Texas in 2000. Through the years and quarterly dental hygiene recalls, Jim became a good patient and a great friend - never failed to imbue the operatory with laughs and European chocolates. I will miss him. I always thought he would dance on all of our graves. Jim's obituary was written by his good friend, Adam Zewe. Jim would be amused to think his obituary was being published in a newspaper in the red, red, red Lone Star State.)
James D. Koepke, a long-time resident of Washington, DC, died Tuesday, April 15.
Once described as "a real mensch," he wished to thank his family, friends, foes and millions of acquaintances, who made for such an interesting life. Services were private, but his ashes were scattered - legally or not - in the middle of Scott Circle, Koepke's DC neighborhood.
Additionally as a grateful patient, he created a legacy at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) that will help faculty, staff and students provide oral health care for underserved patients. Before his death, Koepke created the James D. Koepke Fund to underwrite operations at the PLUS Clinic, the largest provider of dental care to Maryland's HIV-positive population.
More than 600 patients received dental treatment in the clinic last year. Koepke had been a patient since 1991 and felt a personal connection with the faculty, staff and students he interacted with, recalled Associate Professor Valli Meeks, DDS 1988, MS, RDH and director of the PLUS Clinic. He was also a strong supporter of the clinic's mission.
"Jim was sensitive to the needs of the underserved. He wanted to make sure these people didn't fall through the cracks," Meeks said.
She is grateful for Koepke's generosity. Since the PLUS Clinic is largely supported by grants, there is constant uncertainty surrounding funding levels. The Koepke Fund will also benefit dental and hygiene students who complete rotations in the PLUS Clinic and learn important lessons about compassion and empathy.
"Jim was impressed by how our students focus on people, not on stereotypes. They are willing to help every patient," said Meeks.
Memorial contributions to the James D. Koepke Fund for the PLUS Program may be forwarded to the University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation, Inc., 620 W. Lexington Street, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201, or by visiting www.giving.umaryland.edu or calling 410-706-4298.
John Lorenzo Seitzinger
2014
Retired United States Navy Chief Warrant Officer IV John L. Seitzinger of Bandera passed from this world on Wednesday, April 23. He was born in Hammond, Indiana to the late Martin Delbert Seitzinger and Zilphia May Dunlap Seitzinger.
A decorated sailor, John served in the USN from 1960-1988, working his way up from seaman apprentice to a commission as a CW04/SW naval officer. He served in the Vietnam War, as well as conflicts that included The Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis, Operation Power Pack, Operation Nickel Grass, Operation Frequent Wind, the Mayaguez incident, the Lebanese evacuation, Zaire-Congo Support Mission and the first Gulf of Sidra incident, among others.
During his naval career, John was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/Valor, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, (3) Navy Battle "E" Ribbons, (5) Navy Good Conduct Medals, (2) Navy Expeditionary Medal Armed; National Defense Service Medal, (4) Vietnam Service Medals, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Humanitarian Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Ribbon, Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon, Navy Recruiting Service Training Ribbon, Navy Expert Rifleman Medal and Navy Expert Pistol Medal.
Consistently evaluated as "a strong leader who motivated and encouraged," John possessed "the courage to make difficult decisions." He was "truly an outstanding sailor and commissioned officer."
A lover of people, animals and nature, John volunteered and contributed to many church, community, military and humanitarian organizations, including the Salvation Army, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, AMVETS, United States Naval Memorial Foundation, Admiral Nimitz Museum, Ronald Reagan Ranch-Young American's Foundation, George Bush Presidential Center Foundation, St. Joseph's Indian School and Heifer International.
John served as judge advocate for Bristol, Rhode Island VFW Chapter 15 and as a soldier with the Salvation Army. He also attended church services at the Kerrville Salvation Army.
John is survived by his son, Leif Seitzinger and his wife, Cindy, of Hanover, Pennsylvania; daughter Melina Seitzinger of Amesbury, Massachusetts; beloved brother, James D. Seitzinger of Bandera, who both enjoyed retirement together on adjoining properties they fondly named the "Double J Ranch"; brother Paul E. Seitzinger; and sisters, Raydell Hershberger, Zilphia Alice Brown, Phoebe Giacomara and Mary Ann Sparks.
John was predeceased by his wife Donna Gail Kristoff Seitzinger.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Saturday May 10, at the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, 201 Holdsworth Drive, in Kerrville.
The final resting place of John and his beloved departed wife, Donna, will be at the Arlington National Military cemetery.
Raymond H. Beerhalter
1945-2014
Raymond H. Beerhalter, 69, of Pipe Creek, passed away Wednesday, August 20. He was born March 17, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Harold and Hilda Beerhalter.
Raymond married
Betty Rangel of San Antonio on Sept. 25, 1971, in Levittown, Pennsylvania.
He attended Woodrow Wilson High School from 1959 to 1963. An avid runner, Raymond held the school record for the mile run and cross country.
Raymond was a successful entrepreneur and obtained a business degree in accounting from Trenton State College where he graduated with honors. He served as an accountant for Strick Corporation from 1966 to 1978. In 1995, Raymond established Floral Alliance, serving as CEO for many years.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Betty; three children, Jason Beerhalter; Ryan Beerhalter and his wife, Avery; and Soraya Thompson and her husband, Scott; grandchildren, Lillian, Gabriel, Abigail, Kaelyn and Connor; brothers, Ed, George and Harry; and his loyal pet, Jimmy.
Raymond was predeceased by his parents, Hilda and Harold Beerhalter.
A celebration of life will begin at 3 pm, Saturday, August 30, at Western Heritage Cowboy Church, 7146 FM 1283, in Pipe Creek.
Arrangements with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne
Kenneth Walter Kline
1924-2014
Kenneth Walter Kline, 90, recently passed away in Uvalde of natural causes. He was born in Elk Rapids, Michigan on July 20, 1924.
Kenneth married
Nora Ann Druesedow of Haskell, Texas on July 11, 1950.
He joined the service in 1942 and spent five years in the United States Navy. After training on torpedoes at the Great Lakes Naval Station, Kenneth became a torpedo man first class.
His military awards include the American Theater Medals, Good Conduct Medal, Atlantic and Pacific Theater Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal in Japan.
After his discharge from the Navy, Kenneth worked as a stonemason in Elk Rapids until 1949 when he enlisted in the US Air Force, serving in Alaska during the Cold War. Kenneth returned to San Antonio where he retired from the military in 1966. He then served as a clerk with the US Postal Service clerk in San Antonio for 20 years.
After his wife passed away in 1994, Kenneth moved to Medina where he spent 16 years enjoying the outdoors. To be closer to his son, Andrew, he moved to an assisted living facility in Uvalde in February 2011. After three years, he moved to the Uvalde Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center where he spent his last six months. Both facilities provided Kenneth with excellent and compassionate care.
He is survived by his son, Andrew Kline, and his wife, Judy; grandson, Brooks Booker-Kline and his wife, Tierney; and great-grandchildren, Alice and Theodore.
Kenneth was predeceased by his parents, Andrew and Minnie Kline, and seven brothers and sisters.
Funeral services were Saturday, August 23, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Knippa with a graveside service held later that day at Mission Burial Park North.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Grace Lutheran Church, PO Box 1226, Bandera 78003, or to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 250 S. FM 1049, Knippa 78870.
Marie V. Adamietz Glasscock
1927-2014
Marie V. Adamietz Glasscock, 86, of Bandera, passed away Tuesday, August 5, in Bandera, just miles from her childhood homestead at San Julian Creek. She was born in Bandera on August 11, 1927 to Henry Vincent Adamietz and Frances M. Haiduk Adamietz.
Marie married
Joseph Marion Glasscock on March 14, 1953 in Bandera.
After attending St. Joseph's Catholic School, she graduated from Bandera High School in 1945. For a number of years, Marie worked for the First National Bank, the Bandera Wool and Mohair, Bandera Mercantile, Langfords and what is now known as Bandera Bank. She was also involved in PTO and PTA and the St. Stanislaus Altar Society.
Marie had a great love for traveling. Accompanied by her son Joseph, she took fall foliage tours to New England, Kentucky, Tennessee and South Carolina.
Marie is survived by her son, Joseph Henry Glasscock; daughter Zuma Mary "Tudi" Skinner; and granddaughter Ashley Marie Skinner, all from Bandera.
She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Glasscock; parents, Henry and Frances Adamietz; and by her sister and brothers, oldest sibling Frances Kalka, John Adamietz, Henry Adamietz and youngest sibling Felix Adamietz.
Marie's family extends their sincere thanks to the staff and nurses of Bandera Rehabilitation and Healthcare Facility and the River City Hospice.
Graveside services were held Friday, August 8, at St. Stanislaus cemetery with Father John Nolan of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church officiating.
Memorials may be offered to the Mass Fund of St. Stanislaus Church or the West Texas Chapter Alzheimer's Association at www. alz.org/westtexas/ or Alzheimer's Association 225 N. Michigan Avenue, F1. 17 Chicago, IL 6061-7633.
Arrangements were entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.
