System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!
Willo Jackson Roeder
Willo Jackson Roeder, 91, of Yorktown, Texas passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2005. She was born November 2, 1913 to the late Aaron and Willo Lipscomb Jackson in Luling, Texas. She was a homemaker and a member of the Daughter of the American Revolution, South Texas Hereford Association, Texas Hereford Auxiliary and First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown.
She is survived by two sons: Edward W. Roeder of Yorktown and Richard J. Roeder of Houston; seven grandchildren, Ron Roeder of Houston, Rick Roeder of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Scarlet Barksdale of Dallas, Shannon Roeder of Boston, Massachusetts; Randy Roeder of Brookland, Edie Boyd of Katy, and Don Roeder of Yorktown; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rudolph J. (Rudy) Roeder Jr.; two half-brothers, Bill Hardy and Gus Hardy; and one grandchild.
Visitation was held Sunday, Feb. 13 at Freund Funeral Home in Cuero. Funeral services were at the funeral home on Monday, Feb. 14, with the Revs. Will Paul Menn and Ray Paul Santillano officiating. Burial was in Westside Cemetery, Yorktown, under the direction of Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343.
Pallbearers were Rick Roeder, Ron Roeder, Randy Roeder, Don Roeder, Tom Barksdale, and Layne Boyd. Honorary pallbearers were the staffs of Yorktown Manor Nursing Home and Hospice of South Texas.
Memorials may be made to the Yorktown Fire Department, First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown, Hospice of South Texas or the donor's choice.
Opal Rickman
Opal Rickman has been many things to many people during her life, but each will remember her for special attention given so lovingly on an individual basis.
She was born Nov. 10, 1918 in Cuero. Her parents, Charles (Charlie) and Margaret (Maggie) Grosskurth Dromgoole, came to Cuero in 1917 from their Karnes County (Gillette) farm.
Opal Rickman, 86, died Sunday.
For her family, she was fiercely protective and competitive in her dedication to each one’s well being. For her many friends and co-workers, she served no less diligently and loyally.
In the early 1960s, she was a lead organizer of the first workers union in the Cuero cotton mill, where she started as a Depression Era teenager. She served as the first secretary of the Cuero local of the Textile Workers Union of America. She played an important role in the union’s survival of the 1966 strike in which local and state law enforcement was deployed against “my hard-working and patriotic neighbors and friends who had fought and won World War II.”
“She had a strong social conscience that most often guided her into doing the right thing, whatever the risk,” said son Jackie of Cuero.
For some homebound elderly Cuero people in the 1970s, she may have been just a provider of meals. For some of them, however, she rose above being a social worker to the level of a personal “angel” -- providing nurture that went far beyond food for the body. Before becoming home bound herself, she had a large extended “family” in Cuero’s economically impoverished elderly community.
“Sometimes it seems that life balances its own books. Mother got her payback over the last years of her life with the personal attention and affection of care-giver Emily Martinez and the full-time devotion and care of her granddaughter Robin Rickman,” said son Derryl of Victoria.
Her interest in and knowledge of animal husbandry probably stemmed from her grandfather Eleazar Kilpatrick Dromgoole, who -- in the late 19th and early 20th centuries -- was acclaimed as the best lay veterinarian in the greater Karnes County area. She and her husband Jack Rickman were stock farmers in DeWitt County for many years.
“Even as a stock farmer, she was still concerned about other people. I remember one time in the 1980s when mother and daddy had their hay crop put in for their own use in the coming winter. Before winter arrived, they gave about half of that hay to people caught in a draught in the Southeast United States,” said her son Charlie of Zapata.
Her historical and genealogical roots are entwined around and within the very foundation of this nation, although she adamantly would tell you that such things didn’t matter to her.
She is a direct descendant of Cicely Bailey Jordan Farrar and William Farrar. Cicely landed in Jamestown, Virginia in 1610 and later attained a degree of notoriety as the first person in the English colonies sued for “breach of contract.” A preacher extracted a promise of matrimony from the young widow during her immediate grief over the loss of her husband Samuel Jordan. She later changed her mind and married her lawyer William Farrar. The preacher sued Cicely for breach of contract, but he died soon thereafter.
She also descends directly from Christopher and Mary Addie Branch, who arrived in Jamestown in early 1620. Among other direct descendants in the politically active Branch line are President Thomas Jefferson, Virginia Gov. William Branch Giles, North Carolina Gov. John Branch, and Branch Tanner Archer, president of the Texas Consultation in 1835 and the first Secretary of War of the Republic of Texas. The Branches directly descended from eight of the Barons of The Magna Carta.
More recently, her cultural heritage took a decidedly German turn. Her grandparents Grosskurth (Henry and Margot Neitsche) were childhood immigrants from Germany. Her grandmother Lou Eliza Jane Moses Dromgoole’s parents were John Moses, a racial Jew immigrant, and Rinnie Lu Schmidt, a German immigrant.
Just two years ago at the last (2002) Dromgoole Family reunion she was able to attend, Alma Opal Dromgoole Rickman and her husband Homer Jackson “Jack” Rickman were honored as the longest-married couple in the family. They were wed on Nov. 7, 1936.
In addition to her husband of 68 years, she is survived by her brother Charles Dromgoole of Cuero; sisters V-Anne Smith of San Antonio and BEtty (Don) Estill of Conroe; and many numerous and precious nieces and nephews from both the Dromgoole and Rickman families. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Warren H. Dromgoole, and sister Ruby Dromgoole Buenger, all of Cuero.
Mrs. Rickman’s children and their families are:
Jack (Laney) Rickman, Cuero; Valda “Che” and Matt Crawford, Houston and Montgomery.
Charles (Charon) Rickman, Zapata; Robin R. Rickman, Cuero; Jay William Rickman of Rockport and his children Chelsea and Jaycie Rickman of Yorktown.
Derryl (Linda) Rickman, Victoria; Jack Roger Rickman, Dallas; Kimberly Rickman and Mark and Steven Rickman, Victoria; Jonathon (Kara) Rickman, Boerne.
Visitation was Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005 from 6 - 7 p.m. at Freund Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005, at 2 p.m. at the funeral home chapel, Rev. Steve Byrne officiated. Burial was at Hillside Cemetery. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343.
Eliceo Ruiz
Eliceo “Sonny” Ruiz, 70, of Cuero, died Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005.
He was born June 14, 1934, in DeWitt County, to the late Apolonio and Nazaria Pineda Ruiz. He was a foreman of heavy equipment operator for the City of Cuero for over 46 years and a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.
Survivors: wife, Gloria Camareno Ruiz; daughter, Roseanne Ruiz of Cuero; sisters, Commeracion Salas and Santos Barbontin, both of Cuero; brothers, Domingo Ruiz Sr. and Robert P. Ruiz, both of Cuero.
Preceded in death by: parents and brothers, Johnny Jesse Ruiz and Joe Ruiz.
A rosary was recited Thursday, Feb. 3 at Freund Funeral Home Chapel. The Funeral Mass was Friday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, the Rev. Kirby Hlavaty officiated. Burial was at Hillside Cemetery. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343.
Pallbearers: John Barbontin Sr., Paul Barbontin Sr., Justin Ruiz, Michael Barbontin Sr., Adrian Gonzales, and Juan Gonzales.
Memorials: Donor's choice.
Mildred I. Milton
Mildred Irene Milton, 84, of Cuero, died Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005.
She was born Oct. 9, 1920, in Cuero, to the late Antone and Helena Schwietz Schroeter. She was a homemaker.
Survivors: daughter, Margie Breit of Orlando, Florida; sister, Annie Worthington of Cuero; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: her parents and sister, Marjorie Pearson.
Visitation was Wednesday, Feb. 2 at Freund Funeral Chapel. Services were Thursday at the funeral home, Raymond Holder, M.Div. officiated. Burial was at Hillside Cemetery. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343.
Tracy F. Prenzler
Tracy Frances Prenzler, 71, of Cuero, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005.
She was born July 1, 1933, to the late Mr. and Mrs. John Frerichs. She was a homemaker.
Survivors: daughter, Debbie Witcher of Victoria; son, Gary Prenzler of Victoria; sisters, Lynne Von Doren and Mary Jo Warden; and three grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: husband, F.C. Prenzler; parents; and one brother.
A private graveside service will be held at Hillside Cemetery in Cuero, the Rev. Steve Byrne officiating. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343.
Honorary pallbearers: Tyler Witcher, Tate Witcher, Taylor Prenzler, Burt Witcher, Forrest Warden, and Troy Warden.
Walter A. Pieper
Walter Allen Pieper, 92, of Cuero, died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005.
He was born Aug. 27, 1912 to the late John H. and Matilda Sasse Pieper. He was a farmer and a rancher. He was a member of Rabke United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Ida Helen Holzapfel Pieper of Cuero; daughters, Marilyn Carpenter, Everly Oeltjen and D’Ette Ray-Rice, both of Austin; sons, J. W. Pieper of Boerne and Charles Pieper; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Jo Buskee, Edna Jacob, and Paula Devenport; and brother, Oscar Pieper.
Visitation was Saturday, Feb. 5 at Freund Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services were Sunday at the funeral home chapel, the Rev. Ron Welborn officiated. Burial was at Rabke Cemetery in DeWitt County. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343.
Pallbearers: Ricky Gohmert, Thomas Pieper, John Pieper, Abe Oeltjen, Ed Oeltjen, and Mat Oeltjen.
Honorary pallbearers: Newton Gohmert, Byron Speckles, Elywin Schorre, Adalberto Soccaras, and Alex Pitts.
Memorials: Rabke Cemetery Fund or Bluebonnet Youth Ranch.
O. W. "Pete" Wuensch
O. W. "Pete" Wuensch, 71, of Yorktown, died Friday, Feb. 4, 2005.
He was born July 26, 1933, in Yorktown, to the late Rudolph and Zephyr Woford Wuensch. He was a veteran of the Korean conflict, serving in the U.S. Air Force. He was a retired heavy equipment operator.
Survivors: wife, Mary Jean Gleinser Wuensch; sisters, Martha Woelke of Carrollton and Mary E. Hicks of Virginia Beach, Va.; brother, R.C. Wuensch of Yorktown; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: daughter, Pamela Marie McKean; and son, Warren Wuensch.
Graveside services were Monday, Feb. 7 at Westside Cemetery. Lamprecht-Janssen Funeral Home, Yorktown, 361-564-2277.
Pallbearers: John Lindgren, Marcus McKean, Michael Navarro, John Lindgren Jr., Ronnie Lumpkins, and Greg Jolly.
Honorary pallbearers: Mark DuBois, Jim Broussard, Joe Baros Jr., James Curtis Hasdorff, and members of the 1951-1952 Yorktown Fighting Wildcats.
Memorials: donor's choice.
Ramiro (Ray) Santos
Ramiro (Ray) Santos, age 62, of San Antonio, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005.
Ray served in the military for four years and worked for Ralston Purina.
Survivors include wife, Mariann Santos; son and daughter-in-law, Jay A. Santos and C. Elaine Santos; granddaughter, Aymee Nicole Santos; mother, Petra Santos; sisters, Melinda Roberts and husband Dan, Diana Ramirez and husband Claudio, and Irene Highberg, all of Karnes City, and Minnie Canales and husband Eliazar of Deer Park; brother, Raul Santos of Kennedy; cousin Cindy Martinez and husband Pete of Cuero; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Roy Santos and Ruben Santos.
Visitation was held Friday, Feb. 4 at Porter Loring North. A Rosary was said Friday as well. The funeral Mass was held Saturday at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Yorktown, Father Stefan Wiera officiated. Interment was in Westside Cemetery in Yorktown. Arrangements were with Porter Loring Mortuary North.
Pallbearers: Albert Davis, Bert Lozano, Eliazar Canales, Roland Santos, Rudy Villa, and Robert Villa.
Honorary pallbearers: Raul Santos, Greg Yanes, and Carlos Rodriguez.
Memorials: Diabetes Foundation or any Kidney Foundation.
Pat Dunn
Pat Dunn, known to many as Papa Dunn, died peacefully on July 1, 2005. He was born to a Pioneer DeWitt County family, the late Stephen Dunn and Annie Alexander Murphree. His stepfather was Tom Murphree.
He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy. He was a long time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Cuero where he served as youth leader, deacon, elder and trustee He was a Texas State Board surveyor for 47 years in DeWitt County. He was a member of the Texas Surveyors Association, Cuero VFW Post 972 and the Chisholm Trail Historical Museum Advisory Board. He formed the first Explorer Troop in Cuero. In recent years he was a commissioner for the DeWitt Co. Drainage District and worked for Dunn Services, Inc.
He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Steve Dunn, in February 2003; his beloved wife of 61 years, Myrtie Jackson Dunn, in October 2003; and his older brother, James Dunn, in 1959.
He is survived by his sons, Blake and wife, Kathy, of Meyersville and Miles and wife, Karen, of Victoria; his daughter, Dr. Laurie A. Dunn of St. Paul, Minnesota; his daughter-in-law, Carmen Amezaga of Bacliff; and grandchildren, Summer Dunn Helms, Wes and Amanda Dunn, and Kartina Amin and Eric Dunn.
Visitation was Saturday, July 2, at Freund Funeral Home. A memorial service was held Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church of Cuero under the direction of Freund Funeral Home, 361-275-2343.
Pallbearers: Bob McCurdy, Lanny Havemann, Glenn Ruschhaupt, Sam Hunt, John Pokluda, Wesley Dunn, and Eric Dunn.
Honorary pallbearers: Janie and David Hill, Don Albrecht, Gus Leck, Marilyn Cheatham, Errol John Dietze, and Ralph Kuecker.
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or the Chisholm Trail Historical Museum memorial funds.
