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JAMES BELKNAP KOONTZ
A memorial service for James (Jim) Belknap Koontz, 76, of Palacios, was held Nov. 30, 2003 at the First United Methodist Church in Palacios with Rev. Ray Wells officiating. Mr. Koontz was born Oct. 15, 1927 in Palacios to the late C.H. and Mary Vick Belknap Koontz. He died Nov. 25, 2003. He was retired from Alcoa after 38 years of service. He is survived by his wife, Bettye Rogers Koontz of Palacios; three daughters, Pam Cornett of Kerrville and Kathy Wenninger and Becky Cruz, of Palacios; two sons, Scott Arndet of Great Bend, KS and Andy Arndet of Bay City; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Palacios Funeral Home.
KENNETH W. TURNER
Memorial services for Kenneth Wiley Turner, 70, of Kerrville, Tx. were held Nov. 20 at the First United Methodist Church in Kerrville with Rev. Warren Hornung officiating. Mr. Turner was born May 18, 1933 to Myrtle Hearn Turner and Wylie Durham Turner. He died Nov. 16, 2003. He was a retired high school band director. He received a Bachelor's degree of music education from the University of Corpus Christi (now A&M; at Corpus Christi). His received his Master's degree from Baylor University. He was a charter member of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and was to be honored and receive a pin this February from the Texas Music Educators Association for being on the original UIL judges list. Mr. Turner taught band in Bishop, TX, San Antonio, and Pasadena, TX. His bands have won many honors through the years including many local and state wide awards. He also directed church choirs for over 50 years. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ginger Richards Turner of Kerrville who was born in Palacios to the late John W. Richards and Roberta Partain Richards. He is also survived by three sons, Kenneth Dale Turner of San Antonio, Kerry Drew Turner and fiance Kristina Mascher of Luxembourg; Kyle David Turner and wife Debra Schneider-Turner of New York City, 3 grandchildren, Trevor John Turner, Andrew Austin Turner, and Lianna Schneider-Turner, and a brother, Wesley Dale Turner of Fairfax, VA. As Mr. Turner was an effusive leader who ignited the learning process of thousands with his contagious and effervescent vitality, the Ken Turner Scolarship Foundation is being chartered to foster this ardor in future generations. The family requests donations in lieu of flowers to KWT, c/o First United Methodist Church, 321 Thompson Dr., Kerrville, TX 78028.
ALLIE MAE WHITLEY
Funeral services for Allie Mae Whitley Whitley, 92, were held Oct. 8, 2003 at the Chapel at Willowhole cemetery near North Zulch, TX. Mrs Whitley was born Oct. 16, 1910 in Grimes County Texas to John Frank Whitley and Myrtie Irene Cobb. She went to be with her Lord on Oct. 4, 2003. Allie valued education, as she not only held a Bachelor's but also a Master's degree in Education from The University of Houston. In 1929, she started teaching in the Connor ISD (Madison County) and then in 1940 she transferred to the Palacios ISD. She devoted many of her summer months to post-graduate studies. Her teaching career spanned over 40 years and included several accolades, awards and recognition such as Teacher of the Year and Who's Who in Education. One of the great joys of her life was the opportunity to teach math. She had an extraordinary gift and ability to teach the concept of math to her students. Many of them returned years later to personally thank her not just for teaching them math skills, but often times they thanked her for teaching them life skills. After retirement she dedicated her time to the study of the Bible, and to genealogy research which she generously shared with family and friends. Allie was a member of Daughters of the Republic of Texas, The Colonial Dames of America, National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, United States Daughters of 1812, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Athena Club, and Delta Kappa Gamma. She held chapter offices in all of these organizations and state offices in many. Allie was an avid reader, writer and constant teacher. A lifelong member of the Baptist Church, she taught Sunday school for many years. She worked tirelessly with others to establish historical markers in Texas. One such marker can be found at Willowhole cemetery, designating its historical significance. She also co-authored a book about Willowhole cemetery, published in 1981. The Texas State Historical Association invited Allie to write an article about her ancestor, John Slater Besser. The article was published in the Handbook of Texas and is now an available reference for all historians. Allie was outgoing and filled with a beautiful sense of style and elegance. She leaves a legacy of integrity and love of family, state and country. She will be deeply missed. She is survived by daughter June Carolyn Whitley Powers (J. W.), granddaughter Lisa Ann "SeSee" Powers Munson (Chris), great-grandson Jake Powers Munson, three sisters: Ruby Faye Yeary, Reba Dee Taylor, and Hazel Irene "Polly" Patranella, and one brother, John Sharpe Whitley. Her extended family includes Janet Powers Shelton (Alan), David Ross Powers (Sharon), Cassandra Dawn Rogers Stirman (Jason) and son Cadence Jake, Jordan Reed Powers (Amanda) and daughter Avery Madison, Christina Diane Rogers, Drew Kyle Rogers, Whitney Leigh Powers, Katelyn Michelle Powers and Nicole Katherine Powers and her faithful friend and loving caregiver, Maria Guadalupe Morales Morin. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ed Allen Whitley and sister Daisy Blanche Wilder. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to The Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library, P.O. Box 1401, San Antonio, Texas, 78295-1401, (210) 225-1071 or to the charity of your choice.
ALVIN 'AL' HENRY SCHNEIDER, SR.
Funeral services for Alvin 'Al' Henry Schneider, Sr., 82, of Palacios, were held Oct. 6, 2003 at the First United Methodist Church in Palacios with Rev. Don Storey officiating. Burial with full Military Honor under the auspices of VFW Queen-Hamlin Post 2467 was at Hawley cemetery near Blessing. Mr. Schneider was born Aug. 27, 1921 in Rockdale, Tx. to the late Charles E. and Mary Lou Worley-Schneider. He died Oct. 3, 2003. He was a First Class Machinist retired from Alcoa and a Methodist. He served in World War II with the Army Air Corps as an A26 Bomber crew chief. He is survived by daughters Sandra Koch of Palacios and Sharon Duke of Wallaceville, Tx.; a son, Alvin Henry Schneider, Jr. of North Pole, Alaska; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera Lively Schneider; a daughter, Tammy Lynn Schneider-Diaz; and two brothers, J. B. Schneider and Charles E. Schneider, Jr. Pallbearers are John Koch, Scott Koch, Gary Schneider and Mario Diaz. Honorary pallbearers are Gene Allen, James Kruse and the Alcoa Machine Shop.
VERA LOUISE GRAVES DORSEY
Graveside services for Vera Louise Graves Dorsey, 77, of Palacios, were held Sept. 27, 2003 at Lakeside cemetery in Eagle Lake, Tx. with Rev. David King of Eagle Lake and Lehrer Memorial United Methodist Churches presiding. Mrs. Dorsey was born Nov. 5, 1925 in Eagle Lake, Tx. to Roy and Elvira Karlson Graves. She died Sept. 24, 2003 at Palacios Healthcare Center. She was a 1944 graduate of Eagle Lake High School and resided in the Houston area most of her life. She worked as a clerical secretary for Harris County Pct. 1. She had been a resident of Palacios for almost 15 years and a resident of the Palacios Healthcare Center for over five years. She is survived by a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives and loved ones. She was preceded in death by her first husband, George Crump, in 1960; sisters Clara Hough and Mary Tedder; and a brother, Raymond 'Jiggs' Graves. Pallbearers were nephews Charlie Hough, Randy Hough, Shane Hough and Tim Austin.
JIM VACEK
Funeral services for Jim Vacek of Blessing were held Sept. 25 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Blessing with Father Robert Hickl O.M.I. officiating Mr. Vacek was born on April 16, 1920 to Vincent and Elizabeth Vacek. He died Sept. 22, 2003. He is survived by a sister, Edith Hickl of Palacios; nephews, E.R. Vacek, Jr. of Blessing, Carlos Vacek of Orange, Leo Orsak of Palacios, J.D. Tomasek of Lake Jackson, L.J. Tomasek of Blessing, Louis Hickl, Jr. of Corpus Christi, Father Robert Hickl of Mexico, Dennis Hickl of Spring Branch, Pat Hickl and Gary Hickl of El Maton; nieces, Rose Mary Harvey of Blessing, Carolyn Kubecka and Mary Ann Shimek of Palacios. He was preceded in death by brother, E.R. Vacek, Sr. and Jerome Vacek; and sisters Mary Orsak and Betty Tomasek. Memorials may be made to St. Peter's Catholic Church or Oblate Missions, P.O. Box 96, San Antonio, TX 78291-9989.
ROSEMARY CRUZ
Funeral services for Rosemary Cruz, 26, of New Orleans, La., were held Sept. 22, 2003 at the Palacios Funeral Home with Rev. Tony Flores officiating. Interment was in Palacios cemetery. Rosemary was born Aug. 6, 1977 to Richard and Theresa Rivera in Palacios. She died Sept. 14, 2003 in New Orleans, La. She is survived by her 3-year old son, Ken Tran; 9-year old daughter, Karina Michell Cruz; parents, Richard and Theresa Rivera of Palacios; sisters Andrea Le, Delores Jean Manrriquez bothl of Palacios and Paula Marriquez of Victoria; brothers Mario Manrriquez, III and Simon Rivera all of Palacios; grandmother, Clara Cruz of Palacios; three nieces; five nephews; and her many friends who loved her. Pallbearers were Mario Marriquez, Nghi Le, Hau Huynh, John Huynh, Nhuan Le, Hock Nguyen and Tong Nguyen. Memorials may be made to the Theresa Rivera/Rosemary Cruz Children's Fund, c/o City State Bank of Palacios, Box 1130, Palacios, Tx. 77465.
AMALIA SANDOVAL
Funeral services for Amalia Sandoval, 68 of Palacios, were held Sept. 20, 2003 at Apostolic Assembly-Faith in Christ Jesus Church with Rev. Eddie Martinez officiating. Interment was at Palacios cemetery. She was born Sept. 1, 1935, in General Teran, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, to the late Cecilio and Maria Vanegas Almendarez. She died Sept. 17, 2003. She was a homemaker and a member of the Apostolic Assembly Faith in Christ Jesus Church. She is survived by daughters, Juana Perez, Maricela Ayala, and Rosa Barron, all of Palacios; son, Daniel J. Alaniz of Clewiston, Fla.; sisters, Amelia Tijerina of Edinburg and Sylvia Garcia of Reynosa, Tamps., Mexico; brother, Juventino Garcia of Reynosa, Tamps., Mexico; and 13 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Teodoro Almendarez; and one granddaughter.
HOWARD LEWIS GIBSON
Funeral services for Howard Lewis Gibson, 69, of Palacios, were held Sept. 16, 2003 at Palacios Funeral Home. Interment was at Palacios Funeral Home. Mr. Gibson was born Jan. 3, 1934 in Bruni to the late Arthur Fred and Ora Lee Hoffman Gibson. He died Sept. 13, 2003. He was a charter member of Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 3821, lifetime member of the VFW, member of the American Legion and a volunteer with the Palacios Fire Dept. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Veasey Gibson; stepdaughters Debi Edward of Splendora and Dawn Fletcher of Texarkana; sons Michael Lewis Gibson of Yoakum and Darryll Wayne Gibson of Bay City; sisters Jewell Smith of San Marcos, Jo Ann Gibson of Mathis and Virginia Harlow of Livingston; and four grandchildren. He was precded in death by a brother, Arthur Rudolph Gibson.
ELVIRA 'BIRA' MARTINO
Funeral services for Elvira 'Bira' Martino, 87, of Palacios were held Sept. 16, 2003 at the First Presbyterian Church of Palacios, with the Rev. Tony Flores officiating, followed by interment in Palacios cemetery. Mrs. Martino died Saturday, Sept. 13. A native of Martindale, Tex., she was born July 13, 1916 to the late Faustina Solis Gonzalez. Step-father was the late Manuel Gonzalez. She was a homemaker. Survivors include two daughters, Gloria Serna and Lupe Schulze, both of Palacios; one son, Louis Martino III of Palacios; two sisters, Carolina Hernandez and Gloria Sotelo, both of Del Rio; 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Martino, Jr.; one sister, Lupe Constancio; and four brothers, Santana Hernandez, Precie Hernandez, Tony Hernandez and Frank Hernandez. Pallbearers were grandsons Arnold Serna, Mark Serna, Henry Serna, Robert Serna, Louis Anthony Martino and Eddie Howard. Honorary pallbearers were granddaughters Katy Schulze, Libby Kacer, Selina Garcia and Nina Renae Martino. Artero Memorial Chapels of Port Lavaca was in charge of arrangements.
BETTY RUTH SCOTT GIBBS
Graveside services for Betty Ruth Scott Gibbs, 75, of League City, Tx., were held Sept. 18, 2003 in Troy, Tennesee. Mrs. Gibbs was born Aug. 27, 1928 in Troy, Tennessee to Robert Benjamin Scott and Cloyce Dyer Scott. She died Sept. 13, 2003 at Harborview Care Center in League City. In 2948 she was married
to Blondell McDaniel Gibbs, Jr. of Nashville, Tenn. where they lived until moving to Texas in 1957. She had been an 8th grade math teacher at Palacios Jr. High before retiring. She is survived by sons Robery McDanniel Gibbs and Thomas Blondell Gibbs; daughter Anna Cathrine Gibbs Herrell; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Memorials may be made to the Palacios Library and the First United Methodist Church.
