Death, Burial, Cemetery & Obituaries
Veronica Stewart Hopkins Cagle
Mrs. Veronica Cagle, 56, of Beaumont, TX passed away at her home on Thursday, November 1, 2007.
A native of Port Arthur, she was preceded in death by her husband Harlod Cagle. She leaves to cherish her earthly memories her father, John G. Stewart and mother, Jerlean Stewart both of Port Arthur, TX; son, Derrick (Shareka) Cagle of Beaumont, TX; brothers, John G. (Katherine) Stewart, Steven Stewart and Anthony (Trina) Stewart all of Port Arthur, TX, and Michael (JoAnn) Eskridge of Baton Rouge, LA.; sisters, Irma Stewart of Omaha, NB., Elizabeth Ann Ray and Helena Orebo both of Port Arthur, TX; a very special aunt Sammie Eskridge of Galveston, TX., one grandson and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 10, 2007 at Emanuel Baptist Church of Jesus Christ at 11:00a.m. Burial will be at Live Oak Cemeterey under the direction of Comeaux-Community Funeral Chapel.
Comeaux Community Funeral Chapel, 624 Irma Street, Beaumont, TX 77701 (409)838-6597
Dr. Paul F. Colletti
Dr. Paul F. Colletti, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather died at the age of 87 on Tuesday, November 6th in Port Arthur. Dr. Colletti graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1938 and was a member of the mythical national championship football team that defeated Marblehead, Mass., and Arizona State champs Mesa. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1942 where he won a light heavyweight intramural boxing championship and received a B.S. in pharmacy. He received his D.D.S. from Baylor in 1945 and served in the U.S. Navy. Dr. Colletti assumed positions of leadership in the Dental profession, and was honored with a number of awards including a Fellowship in the American College of Dentists in 1981. He was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, assuming numerous administrative positions and was a Christian Doctrine teacher and Lector. Dr. Paul taught swimming for the Red Cross and was instrumental in establishing a swimming program for handicapped children. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the St. George Emblem for contributions to the spiritual aspect of Scouting.
Dr. Colletti is survived by his wife of 64 years, Josephine Hamill Colletti, daughters, Paula Moscheau and Ruthie Perkins of New Braunfels, Cathy Rodriguez and Mary Jo Treadway of Coppell, sons, Paul David Colletti of Fort Worth, and George Colletti of San Clemente, CA. His legacy also includes granddaughters, Rebekah Spoor of Fort Hood, Sarah Cernocek of New Braunfels, Erin Toedtman of Pflugerville, Stephanie Keeton of Austin, Colette and Francis Treadway of Coppell, Adrienne Colletti of Dallas, grandsons John Rodriguez and Dominic Colletti, great-grandsons Donald and Ryan Spoor, Benjamin Toedtman, and the expected Nolan Paul Cernocek.
He was preceded in death by his son Sam Norman Colletti, his brother Dr. Ben Colletti, Sisters Mary Arisco, Lena Arisco, Josephine Mazzola, and Pauline Loyacano.
Visitation will be on Friday, November 9, 2007 from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. with a Rosary to be recited at 7 P.M. at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. November 10, 2007 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Port Arthur with Rev. Stephen McCrate serving as celebrant. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hospice, or an act of kindness to a loved one.
Melvin R. Hefty
Melvin R. Hefty, 91, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died peacefully on November 8, 2007, in Beaumont, Texas. Visitation will be from 10 AM to 11 AM at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Port Arthur, Texas, on November 10, 2007, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM.
Melvin was born January 24, 1916, to William H. Hefty and Mabel Reichart Hefty in Valley Falls, Kansas. After graduating from the University of Kansas, he moved to Port Arthur where he resided for over 65 years. His career as a chemical engineer at Texaco spanned 43 years and included the acquisition of a patent for the manufacturing of gear lubricants. He retired in 1981. Also an active member of the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, he served in various capacities including elder, deacon, and choir member. His civic duties included serving as president of the Port Arthur Toastmasters and the Griffing Park Lions Club and active participation in the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs. His life was enriched by the love of reading, extensive travel, and playing bridge. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Vernon and Warren, sister Henrietta Hefty, son-in-law Michael Edwards, and his wife, dance partner, and bridge partner of 50 years, Hermie "Boots" Hefty.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Alan and Cherrie Hefty, daughter Sara Edwards, grandsons Brian Hefty and wife Terri, Clay Hefty, Ethan Edwards and wife Kristy, granddaughters Bonny Edwards, Emily Anderson and husband Danny, and five great-grandchildren. "Papa" always had an open lap and a book ready for any grandchild. As the patriarch of our family, he will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
Kathleen T. "Kat" James
Kathleen T. James (Kat) departed this life on Thursday, November 1, 2007 to be with her mother, Hazel Antoine Filer and most importantly her Savior Jesus Christ.
Kat was an LVN from her heart and a Christian in her soul.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Bridget Filer.
Memories of her will last forever with her sister, Michell F. Little; two brothers, Billy (June) Filer of Houston and Allen Filer of Port Arthur; as well as three nephews; four nieces; and a host of relatives and friends.
Services will be held at Sacred Heart Church on November 7, 2007 at 11:00 AM with visitation form 9:00 AM until service time.
Betty Jean Marchak
Betty Jean Marchak, 81, died November 7, 2007 in Austin, Texas. She is survived by her son, James and his wife Suzanne of Port Neches; her granddaughter Catherine of Houston; her grandson and his wife, Celina of Port Neches; one great-grandson Noah, also of Port Neches. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Hospice Austin, 2820 E. MLK Blvd., Austin, Texas 78702 or a charity of your choice.
Homer William Askew
Homer William Askew, 95 of Port Arthur passed away, Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at Christus Hospital in Port Arthur.
Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, November 10, 2007 at Broussard's in Nederland. Interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches. A gathering of family and friends will be 5:00 – 8:00 PM, Friday at the mortuary. Mr. Askew was a native of Shelby County and has lived in Port Arthur since 1937. He retired as an Operator from Texaco with many years of service and was a member of the Church of Christ. Mr. Askew was preceded in death by his wife, Fannie Askew; son William Elbert Fortune; daughter, Imogene Askew; and granddaughters, Alice and Crystal. He is survived by his son, Larrie Don Askew and his wife Frances of Starks, Louisiana; stepson, Don Wheelington and his wife Cathy of Houston; stepdaughter, Lillie May Eyler of Austin; daughter-in-law, Lois Fortune; three grandchildren, Lisa Briggs and her husband Larry, Donnal Askew and his wife Martha, Chris Askew and his wife Sonya; twenty great-grandchildren; fifteen great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Calvin Ray Mitchell
PORT ARTHUR - Calvin Ray Mitchell, 48, of Port Arthur passed away Monday, November 5, 2007 at Southeast Medical Center. He was born in Port Arthur, TX on October 30, 1959 and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1978. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifton J. Mitchell, Sr. and Bernice Jaco Mitchell; two brothers, Larry Mitchell and Chris Jaco; and great-nice, Jalisa Anderson.
Calvin retired from Port Drum with 12 years of service. He joined the U.S. Army in 1978. He was a member of St. John Catholic Church. Visitation will be on Saturday, November 10, 2007 from 9:00 AM until 11AM at St. John Catholic Church. Burial will be held at Live Oak Mausoleums Cemetery.
He is survived by his sisters, Edna (Wilferd) Jones of Port Arthur, Mary Anderson of Houston, TX; brothers, Clifton (Rose) Mitchell, Jr. of Lufkin, TX, Dennis (Quintella) Mitchell of Port Arthur; and his god-child, Ednakeshica "Kizzy" Reynolds; three aunts, one uncle, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and special cousin, Renee' (Big Man). Love, Renee'
Craig Newcomb
Port Arthur - Craig Newcomb of Port Arthur passed away on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at the age of 50. He was born in Port Arthur on August 26, 1957 to Mary Lou Yant and Walter Newcomb Jr. Craig was a lifelong resident of Port Arthur and a member of Triumph Church in Nederland. He worked as a surveyor for the City of Port Arthur Engineering Department for 32 years. He was an avid Tournament Pool Player for the past 32 years, which he won over 500 trophies. He served as CO-captain of Cue's for Christ.
Visitation will be on Friday, November 9, 2007 from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be on Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 2 P.M. in the Thompson Memorial Chapel at Clayton Thompson. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park. He is survived by his mother, Mary Lou Newcomb Odom and his step father, Ross Odom of Beaumont, Texas, his brothers, Dale Newcomb of Spring, Texas, David Newcomb of Sour Lake, Texas and Walter Newcomb of Port Arthur, Texas along with his 4 nieces, 5 nephews, 3 great-nieces and 1 great-nephew.
