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JANET SUE FOLTYN
A celebration of life for Janet Sue Foltyn, 50, of Houston, was held May 15, 2010 at t St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Blessing, Tx. with Rev. Sam Appiasi officiating. Interment was at St. Peter’s Catholic cemetery in Blessing.
She was born Sept. 9, 1959 in Bay City, Tx. to Jake E. and Rosemary Balusek Foltyn. She passed away May 8, 2010.
Janet graduated from Tidehaven High School in 1978 and from Sam Houston State University in 1981. She lived a very active life working and traveling abroad.
She is survived by her parents Jake E. and Rosemary Foltyn; sister Jane Foltyn; brothers Jake Foltyn II and wife Sharon, and Jason Foltyn and wife Janet; several special nieces and nephews; many special friends; and her beloved dog Tsunami.
Pallbearers were Jake E. Foltyn, Jake Foltyn II, Jason Foltyn, Jane Foltyn, Keith Thompson, Chuck Collerain and Mike Saha.
Donations may be made to the Women’s Crisis Center or any other charity dealing with domestic violence prevention.
Condolences can be made at www.taylorbros.net.
L. B. LASLIE, SR.
Funeral services for L. B. Laslie, Sr., 80, of Palacios, Tx. were held May 6, 2010 at the Palacios Funeral Home with Rev. Zach Nicholson officiating. Interment was at Hawley cemetery in Blessing.
Mr. Laslie was born July 29, 1929 in Palacios to the late Willie Hardin and Alvena Kopecky Laslie. He passed away May 3, 2010.
He was a longtime rancher and served in the US Army during WWII.
He is survived by his wife Ruth Laslie of Palacios; daughter Sylvia Stange and husband Joel of Palmer, Alaska; sons Buddy Laslie and wife Margaret of Blessing and Larry Laslie of Sheridan Wyoming; sisters Vivian Wilkerson-Turner of Palacios, Willie Mae Simpson of Ganado and Lucille Dendy of Longview; brothers R. J. Laslie of Caldwell and Charles Laslie of Mountain Home, Arkansas; grandchildren Lynn Ann, C. A., Stacey, Marla, Crystal, Jenny, Brad, Randy, Rachel, Rusty and Missy; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by daughter Janet Lynn Laslie, and sister Mary Ann Griffith.
Pallbearers were C.A. Laslie, Johnny Laslie, Bubba Hough, Martin Evens, Lewis Griffith, Chad Griffith and Pete Griffith.
JOSHUA DANIEL KUDELKA
Funeral services for Joshua Daniel Kudelka, age 10 of Bay City, Tx., were held May 5, 2010 at the Christ Lutheran Church in El Campo with Rev. Jake Fain officiating. Burial was at the Hawley cemetery near Blessing.
Joshua was born on Dec. 28, 1999 in Port Lavaca, Tx. He passed away suddenly on May 1, 2010.
He was a fourth grader at E. Rudd Intermediate School in Van Vleck. He was an organ donor.
He is survived by his mother Becky Kudelka of Bay City; father and step-mother Mark and Nancy Culver of Austin; sisters Maylynne Childress of Port Lavaca and Zoe Culver of Victoria; brother Jordan Childress of Port Lavaca; maternal grandmother Debbie Bigalow of Palacios; paternal grandparents Lynn Harris of Edna and Jimmy Culver of York Valley, Arizona; maternal great-grandmother Lela Jane Koenig of El Campo and paternal great-grandmother Jauree Busby of Hico.
He was preceded in death by grandfathers Daniel Lewis Kudelka and Randy Bigalow; great-grandfather George Koenig; and cousin Aaron Kudelka.
Pallbearers were Cole Repka, Ryan Kudelka, Duane Kudelka, Corey Kudelka, Michael Lagasse and Dustin Rutherford. Honorary pallbearers are Jimmy Piwonka, Trey Morrison, Sidney Morrison, Miguel Garcia and Oscar Garcia.
Memorials in his memory may be made to the Joshua Kudelka Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Arrangements are with Triska Funeral Home, El Campo, TX (979) 543-3681
JACK M. ‘Mel’ BARNES, JR.
Jack Melvern Barnes, Jr. was born to Jack M. Barnes, Sr. and wife Carole Jeanine Wilson Barnes at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX at 9:41 PM on a Wednesday, July 24th 1957. Born under the sign of Leo, weighing in at 7 lbs., 12 ounces, and at a length of 20 inches, Jack (or Mel as he would become known to friends and family) roared into the world and didn’t stop roaring until he took his own life on Friday, April 30, 2010 at his home in Palacios, TX.
Mel lived his life on his own terms and ended his life on his own terms. After battling multiple terminal illnesses and enduring unrelenting pain associated with diabetes complications, Mel decided to hasten his death. Those of us that knew and loved Mel recognize that in death he showed the same strength and honor that he displayed in life. Mel’s choice not to live in pain and suffering is one to be respected. We honor his choice and are humbled by his courage.
Mel grew up on Tree Frog Lane in the Sharpstown area of Houston, TX and attended school at Bonham Elementary, Fondren Jr. High and graduated Sharpstown High in 1975. An intelligent youngster, Mel was invited to attend an HISD class for academically able pupils the summer of 1967. He enjoyed the sciences and math but not so much English and biology. Of course he got straight A’s in Physical Ed, as he loved sports and excelled in football and baseball under the coaching of his father, Jack.
His mother, Carole, was his den leader when he joined the Cub Scouts of America. Mel always enjoyed the outdoors which first became apparent in his joy for camping, earning his merit badges and learning survival techniques in the Scouts. We all had great fun attending the Boy Scout Soap Box derbies where Mel’s carved and painted cars excelled in the downhill racing events.
As Mel grew into adolescence his attention turned to the real thing – his blue Karmann Ghia, his dirt bikes, and an assortment of fast cars. After graduation, being a true Texan, Mel began to hit Gilley’s and other country-western venues where he wooed the women with his Wrangler jeans, big belt buckle, hand-made boots and a talent for two-stepping. Always one to keep us on our toes Mel would vacillate between long-haired hippie type (as witnessed by his senior photo) and well groomed cowboy, but the cowboy in him won out in the long run.
Mel’s chosen career was in sheet metal fabrication and he was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA), Local 54 in Houston. As a long time brother in the union, Mel contributed to construction of the South TX Project nuclear facility near Bay City, TX in the late 1980’s. He was foreman at a Houston sheet metal fabricator and most recently worked at the Shell research facility in the Houston area.
Away from work Mel enjoyed hunting and fishing and had a second home in Palacios, TX for a number of years that allowed him to savor the wildlife of Tres Palacios and Matagorda Bay. An avid conservationist, he was also a member of BASS Conservation and Ducks Unlimited. He sent us all holiday cards each year that he purchased from Ducks Unlimited as his reminder to respect nature and wildlife.
Mel is survived by his daughter Courtney Camus Barnes of Somerville, TX; father Jack M. Barnes, Sr. and stepmother Jan Cole of Weimar, TX; mother Carole J. Clay and stepfather Hartley B. Clay of Gastonia, North Carolina; sister Terri Barnes Johnson and brother-in-law Allen J. Johnson, II of Mount Holly, North Carolina; sister Tracey Barnes McCain, brother-in-law George McCain and nephew Stuart McCain of Spring, TX; significant other Mary Lesser to whom he was very close; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in Fort Worth, TX and New Sewickley Township, Pennsylvania.
Plans are underway for a memorial service and celebration of Mel’s life to take place in Palacios, TX on July 24, 2010, the 53rd anniversary of his birth.
Memorial contributions may be made in the name of Jack M. Barnes, Jr. to Ducks Unlimited, American Diabetes Association, or Compassion and Choices.
ALEXANDRA ‘Alex’ RODRIGUEZ
Funeral services for Alexandra “Alex” Rodriguez, 84, of La Porte, Tx., were held May 1, 2010 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church of Palacios with Father Charles Dowomoh officiating. Interment was at Palacios cemetery.
Mrs. Rodriguez was born Nov. 25, 1925 in Matagorda, Tx. to the late Delfina Reyes Caravajal and Catarino Caravajal. She passed away April 28, 2010 in Pasadena, Tx.
Alex is survived by her daughter Ruby Rodriguez of La Porte, Tx.; son Ralph Rodriguez of Pasadena, Tx.; grandchildren Lisa Hebert and husband Ron, Dolores Serrano and husband Martin, Diana Wahlenberg and husband Gus, Anthony Rodriguez, Joseph Rodriguez and Kimberely Rodriguez; and 17 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ralph G. Rodriguez; sisters Beatrice Villareal and Mary Garcia; brother Catarino Caravajal Jr.; and great-grandson Ross Anthony Hebert.
Pallbearers were Joseph Cano, Anthony and Joseph Rodriguez, Davidde, Brandon and Martin Serrano, and Jonathan and Gus Wahlenberg. Honorary pallbearers were Ron, Matthew and Montgomery Hebert and Maurillo Rodriguez.
Arrangements are will Palacios Funeral Home (361) 972-2012.
M. C. ‘Doc’ FRANKSON
Funeral services for M.C. “Doc” Frankson D.V.M., 83, of Bay City, Tx., were held May 1, 2010 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Bay City with Rev. Tom Morgan officiating. Interment was at the Palacios cemetery.
Doc was born on April 22, 1927 in Carancahua Community, Tx. to the late Frank Maynard Frankson and Alfhilda Bengston Frankson. He moved on to greener pastures on April 29, 2010.
Doc owned and operated Bay City Veterinary Clinic from 1953 through 1980. He was a member of the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, and served his country during World War II as a member of the Army Air Corps.
He is survived by his first wife of 37 years Anita Frankson of Bay City; former wife Julia Ford of Bay City; brothers A. C. “Courtland” Frankson and wife Marie of Victoria, and Harry L. Frankson and wife Carol of Port Lavaca; sons James M. “Jim” Frankson and wife Diana, Donald S. Frankson, and Samuel P. “Sam” Frankson and wife Susan all of Bay City; grandchildren Ashley, Matthew, Erik, Megan, and Mary Katherine Frankson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Donald Frankson.
Pallbearers were Matthew Frankson, Erik Frankson, Gerald Mardis, Larry Ford, Jon Woolsey and Dr. Randy Volkmer D.V.M.
Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home (979) 245-4613.
MARY BELLE McALLISTER INGRAM
Funeral services for Mary Belle McAllister Ingram, 93, of Bay City, Tx. were held April 26, 2010 at First United Methodist Church of Bay City. Interment was at Cedarvale cemetery.
Mary Belle was born in Mankins, Tx, on July 9, 1916 to Vera Frazier Richeson (from Bomerton, Tx.) and Watkins L. Richeson (from Cherry Hill, AL). She passed away on April 23, 2010 at her home, the Legacy Assisted Living, after fighting a valiant battle against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and heart disease.
After graduating from high school in Mankins, she attended North Texas State Teacher’s College in Denton graduating in 1936 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. In later years she also obtained her Master’s Degree in Education from Denton. She taught for one year at South Lockett in west Texas. In the fall of 1937 she moved to Bay City and taught at Bay City High School. In subsequent years she taught fifth grade at Tenie Holmes Elementary and was librarian at Cherry Junior High School and McAllister Junior High School. Mary Belle felt her greatest contribution to teaching was leading the Junior Historians at McAllister.
In 1941, Mary Belle married
Harmon J. McAllister. They had three children: Jerry, Julianne and Bill. Harmon became superintendent of schools in Bay City and died in 1963. In 1973, she married
William J. Ingram, who died in 1983.
Mary Belle was active in many school organizations from the Girl Reserves in the 1930’s to the Junior Historians in the 1970’s. In 1978, she was first runner-up for the Texas Teacher of the Year award. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church for almost 70 years and in 1980 authored 110 Years of Methodism, History of First United Methodist Church of Bay City, Texas, for which she received the Kate Warnick Award for excellence in publication of local church history. She was book chairman and chief compiler of Historic Matagorda County, a two-volume history published in 1986. In 1979 she authored a family history book, Listen To The Bell. In 2006, Mary Belle published Canebrake Settlements, which recorded the history of black people and their churches along Caney Creek during the nineteenth century.
Mary Belle taught school for thirty years and after retiring in 1978, she was active in the Matagorda County Museum, the Matagorda County Historical Commission, the Genealogical Society, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Landmark Commission. She received the Texas Historical Commission Award of Excellence in Preserving History in 1991 and the Ruth Lester Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.
She is survived by her children Jerry (Hope) McAllister of Hammond, WI and Julianne (Daryl) Thompson of Ashwood, TX; her six grandchildren, Juliellen & Christopher Galletti, Jennifer & John Runnells III, Troy & Lauren Thompson, Adrienne Palmer, Ruby & Brian Bodeker, and Ellie McAllister & Paul Hennings; she was very proud of her twelve great grandchildren, Christopher, Aubrey & Claire Galletti, Hunter & Chandler Runnells, Erin & Landon Thompson, Zachary, Trent & Ethan Palmer, and Coralee & Merritt Bodeker; a nephew and six nieces, including Jan (Fred) Raby of Elgin, TX to whom she was very close; and her devoted caregiver and friend Carolyn Boulden.
Mary Belle was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, son Bill and sisters Vivian and Alice.
Mary Belle Ingram, educator, librarian, genealogist, historian, civic leader, church layman, patriot, friend, wife, mother, and grandmother, is a treasured loved one and citizen of her community, county, state and country.
A special thank you to the Legacy Assisted Living staff and to special caregivers, Sherry Jones, Michelle Rodriguez, Hester Williams and Hope Barrera for taking such loving care of our mother and grandmother.
Pallbearers were grandsons Troy Thompson, John Runnells III, Chris Galletti, Paul Hennings, Brian Bodeker, and friends Jim Allen, Bob Noster David Holubec and Mike Reddell. Honorary pallbearers are Sam Maglitto, Lamar Evans, Fred Walker, Eddie Jecmenek, George Durett, Charles Martinez and George Yeager.
Preferred memorials are William R. McAllister Scholarship Fund at Stephen F. Austin University, Matagorda County Museum and First United Methodist Church of Bay City.
“I have had a good and fruitful life, and hope I have not lived in vain but have left a legacy of service to my family, friends and church, and to this wonderful community that has been my home since 1938”. Mary Belle Richeson McAllister Ingram, 8/24/09
Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting . Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City. 979-245-4613.
