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JOHN ALLEN MCCARTY
John Allen McCarty, 88, of Henly, died at his home June 15, 2003, after a brief battle with cancer.
McCarty was born in Henly April 23, 1915, to L.C. and Cora McCarty. He was the middle of five children.
McCarty is preceded in death by his wife of 33 years, Carolyn Wilson McCarty; siblings Otis, Lynn, Clyde, and Faye Twidwell McCarty.
He is survived by daughter Chris and granddaughter Emily McCarty, both of Houston; two sisters-in-law Mrs. Lynn (June) McCarty and Mrs. Clyde (Jerry) McCarty, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
McCarty was a rancher in Henly and also lived 18 years in Galveston County while working in the recreation industry. McCarty joined the Army in 1941 and was sent to the Philipines later that year. He fought on Bataan and was taken POW when it fell April 9, 1942. He survived the Death March and captivity in Camp O’Donnell and Cabanatuan. He weighed only 76 pounds when liberated, having lost 94 pounds to malnutrition and various diseases.
Among the numerous decorations he received for service to his country are two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars, as well as four decorations from the Philipine government. McCarty was tagged for death three times in “Zero Ward,” but survived because of his strong faith in God, his will to live, and the prayers of his mother. In honor of his mother, and the mothers whose sons never returned, McCarty gave flowers on Mother’s Day for many years to mothers in the area. He was loved by family, friends, and the community and was an inspiration to all.
One line stands out in one of the few letters his parents received during the war: “This will not last forever; so with faith in one God and one America, I remain as ever.” He will be missed.
Services will be at Crofts Funeral Home in Blanco at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, with graveside services following at the Blanco Cemetery.
Pallbearers are great nephews Troy Curry, Don McCarty Jr., Lyndon McCarty, Trey McCarty, Wayne McCarty, and family friends Larry Brewer, and John Whittenbaugh.
Honorary pallbearers are John Lacson, Malcom Light, Melvin McNair, U.S. McNair, Julius Pfullman, Cecil Ramsey, and Raymond Watson.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be sent to the Henly Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.
MURDENZEL FELPS
Murdenzel was born Oct. 9, 1920, near Corona, New Mexico, and she moved to Blanco at an early age. She is the daughter of Mary Anna Smith and George Ross Brown. She died Jan. 26, 2003. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 54 years, Britton Benjamin Felps and a brother, Alf Brown of Rockport.
She is survived by her sisters,
Rosetta Felps of Tow, Mary Ivy Smith of Round Mountain, Sylvia Ray Bakke of Clifton, and brother Dott Brown of Irving, sister-in-laws Eva Beckman of Blanco, and Winnie Felps of Leander. She is also survived by her children, daughters Martha Anna Wagner and son-in-law L.J. Wagner, Aritha Faye Graham and son-in law Moe Graham and Darless Kay Head and son-in-law Randy Head, all of Blanco, and son Edward Britton Felps and daughter-in-law Pamela Felps of
Norco, California.
Murdenzel has a legacy of 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Murdenzel was a life-long member of the Blanco United Methodist Church. She lived in Blanco from the time she was a small child and spent her youth on the Blanco River with her bothers and sisters where she learned to swim and fish. Fishing
remained a passion of hers her whole life and she passed her expertise on to many of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. As an adult, she was employed in several local restaurants and was a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for many years.
She was loved by her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren and will be missed by her whole family and friends.
Services were Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m. at Miller Creek Cemetery near Johnson City where the burial followed. Visitation was Monday, Jan. 27.
MELISA ANN HARRIS
Melisa Ann Harris, 43, died at North Central Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003.
She is the daughter of Shelly Harris and the late Robert L Harris.
Memorial services were held Saturday, Jan. 25, at Croft Funeral Home in Johnson City.
Melisa, like the rest of her family, had a long newspaper career. She was production manager of her family-owned newspaper, The Johnson City Record-Courier for 10 years. She also worked for newspapers in Kileen, Leveland, and Floydada Texas.
Melisa was a communicant of the Cypress Mill Episcopal Church. Melisa belonged to the Order of Eagles in Blanco.
She is also survived by: two sisters and their husbands, Robyn and George Henderson, of Johnson City and Jennifer and Michael Pasanski, of Fremont, Michigan; and by two brothers, Dal and Liz Harris of Victoria, and Bill and Mandy Harris of St. Louis, Mo.
She is survived by seven nieces and nephews, Jessica Payne and her husband Chris of Johnson City, Luke and his wife Marcy Henderson and Josh Henderson of San Marcos, Forrest and Amanda Pasanski of Freemont, Michigan, and Virginia and Ben Harris of St. Louis, and by great-nephew, Nathan Payne She is also survived by her grandmother, Thelma Lively and aunt, Jean Hammond of Gatesville.
Memorials will go to North Blanco County EMS.
VANEATTA RUTH CADE
Vaneatta Ruth Cade of Johnson City was swept into the arms of angels Friday, May 30, 2003. Neatta was born in Cross Plains to Delbert Otto Wilson and Margaret Lanham Wilson April 28, 1932.
Survivors are her loving husband of 34 years, Jerry Cade of Johnson City; sister, Lee Sadler and Wayne Carlson of Carlsbad, New Mexico; daughters Rhonda Stell of Johnson City, Elizabeth Diane Peachey and Jim of Lake Jackson, and Donna Cade of Centerville; sons Phil Stell and Kendra and Jere Stell and Deana of Carlsbad, New Mexico, and Cary Cade of Leona.
Grandchildren Tracy Peachey-Moss and Michael, Jonathan Peachey, Erin Parrish, Lisa Atwood and Trent, Tammy Stell, Kris and Taylor Phillips and Sam Norman, Chase and Terra Stell, Jerry Wayne Cade; one great-grandchild, Noah Atwood; and nephews Bill Sadler and Joe Sadler.
Services were held Monday, June 2, 2003, at Crofts Funeral Home in Johnson City with burial following at the Johnson City Masonic Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Johnson City ESA, P.O. Box 369, Johnson City 78636 or First Christian Church Building Fund, Johnson City.
FRED ELBEL SR.
Fred P. Elbel Sr. passed to his reward Sunday, Jan 19, 2003. He was born at home in Kendalia Nov. 14,1921 to Paul Henry Elbel and Lena Schwarz Elbel.
He married Wanda Elizabeth Wise March 13, 1943 and is survived by her and their three sons, Fred Jr., his wife Donna, Ed R. and Don Elbel and his wife Joanne. Grandchildren include Fred III, Michael, Don II, William Campbell, Sandra Elbel Penshorn and three great-grandchildren. Fred moved to San Antonio in 1924 and lived on San Francisco Street, which was outside the city limits at that time. He began working when he was 11, bicycling a paper route which at its peak was more than 20 miles long.
He attended St. Ann’s Catholic School, Central Catholic High School and graduated from Edison High School in 1940.
Fred enlisted in the Navy during World War II, attended the University of Missouri and served in the Mediterranean Sea campaigns, including the invasion of Sicily and later in all major campaigns in the Pacific Theater on the road to Japan. Working for the same company for 36 years, he became a construction superintendent and built many major projects in San Antonio, including adding five floors to Methodist Hospital, several large buildings at Trinity University, large projects at every local military base, the Children’s Hospital at Santa Rosa and many more including several projects requiring high security clearances from the military.
He was especially proud of being a Union Carpenter for 36 years and a Gold Card holder. Fred was an avid fisherman and hunter; but after Wanda, his greatest love was automobile racing. He built, sponsored and drove his own car, usually using the number 20. He won many local track championships in the late ’40s and set numerous track records, some of which were never broken. He raced at Roosevelt Racetrack, The Devil’s Bowl, The Spillway, Shadowland (Now Roaring Twenties), “Old Pan American” and many more throughout South Texas.
He competed at the New Pan American for over a decade where he won many races and had countless faithful fans.
In lieu of flowers, Fred requested donations to Cancer Research and Therapy.
A rosary will be held at the Croft Funeral Home (833-4523) in Blanco at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Ferdinand’s Catholic Church in Blanco.
SHIRLEY ANN KOCH
Shirley Ann Koch, 65, of Hempstead passed away Jan. 18, 2003, in Brenham.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Edgar William Koch Jr., “Slim”; sons, LeRoy William Koch and wife Rhonda, E. W. Koch III and wife Sandra, and Michael Carl Koch; daughters, Joyce Ann Orsak, Doris Ann McMillian and husband Coley, all of Hempstead; Rosa Marie Cevallos and husband Andy of Bellville, Frieda Mae Polasek and husband Sam of Caldwell, Peggy Sue Hamilton and husband Eddie of Reagan, and Leatha Lynn Kopech and husband Sonny of Dangerfield; brothers, W.A. Tillery and Freddie Tillery; sisters, Opal Overstreet and Katie Bell Knebel; 25 grandchildren and 14 great- grandchildren.
Services were Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Canon Funeral Home in Waller. Visitation was Monday, January 20. Interment will be at Hempstead Cemetery in Hempstead.
Pastor Andy Qualls officiated.
KHALEAH LEILANI MATSUMURA
Khaleah Leilani Matsumura passed away Jan. 17, 2003. She was born Dec. 22, 1982, in Temple to Dennis & Lee (Dowden) Matsumura.
Lani is a 2001 graduate of Blanco High School and attended all 12 years in Blanco schools. Most recently, she attended Austin Community College with an intention of earning her teaching degree. She was active in homemaking and sports while in high school.
Many knew her through her work at the Blanco Bowling Alley and Cafe where she was employed for the last four years.
Lani was a special person who saw no age or social standings and was a friend to all. Her greatest joy was her family and spending time with those she loved. Her heart was open to all-friend and stranger alike.
Lanie was always happy and a true blessing to all who knew her.
She was the best-loved Auntie of numerous nieces and nephews.
Lani, we love you and we will miss you.
Leilani is survived by: grandparents Chuck and Margaret Matsumura of Kailua, HI, Bernice Dowden of Beaumont; father Dennis K. Matsumura of Kailua, HI; mother Lee Suire and step-father Bill Suire of Blanco; brothers Richard Miller of Blanco, Charles W. Miller of San Antonio; step-brother Jules P. “Man” Suire Sr. of Blanco; sister Robbie Mastrogeovanni of Austin; step-sisters Betty Jo Clark of Blanco, Nancy Suire of Decambre, LA; uncles and aunts Earl Dowden, Mr. and Mrs. Burl Dowden, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Dowden all of Beaumont, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Avery of Kountz, Nawasa Dowden, Shannon Dowden both of Beaumont, Anna Dowden of Kountz, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Matsumura of Kuia, HI, Rita Bowden of Alaska, Michael and Laura Matteson of Los Angeles, CA, Mr. and Mrs. David Matsumura of Salt Lake City, Utah, Sean and Suzi Sims of Kailua, HI; and lots of other family members that loved her.
