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JOHN HENRY McELHENNEY, SR.
Funeral services for John Henry McElhenney, Sr., 80, of Bay City, were held March 5, 2003 at the Milling Funeral Home in Union, MS. Masonic Graveside services followed at the Mount Zion cemetery in Union. Mr. McElhenney was born Jan. 6, 1923 in Stranton, MS to the late Hez Hardy and Mary Sue Lundy McElhenney. He died March 1, 2003 at the Palacios Community Health Center in Palacios. He was a member of the Methodist Church, a resident of Bay City since 1990 and a former resident of Palacios. He was a refrigeration specialist and managed the Palacios Fuel and Ice Company until he retired in 1990. Mr. McElhenney was a member of the Forest, MS Masonic Lodge #437 F&AM;, the Hamasa Shrine Temple of Meridian, MS, and the Houston Scottish Rite Temple. Mr. McElhenney is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sara Lee Hamrick McElhenney of Bay City; 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Ronnie & Janie McElhenney of Bay City, Jerry & Cora Ann McElhenney of Danville, VA, and John & Virgian McElhenney, Jr. of Gainesville, GA; sisters, Nona Davidson and Bessie Goss of Sebastopol, MS; eight grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; and a very special cousin and friend, Lottie Frank Patterson of Decatur, Ms. Arrangements with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City and with Milling Funeral Home in Union, MS.
SEARCY H. STANDLEY
Funeral services for Searcy H. Standley, 83, of Palacios, were held Feb. 28, 2003 at the Palacios Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. J. R. Gwin officiating. Interment was at Palacios cemetery. Mr. Standley was born June 20, 1919 in Waller, Tx. to the late C. L. and Flo Ida Standley. He died Feb. 26, 2003. He was a Baptist and a resident of Palacios since 1926. He served in Company A, 23rd Infantry, 2nd Division of the US Army during World War II. He participated in the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Ardennes campaigns. On Dec. 18, 1944 during the Belgium Bulge not far from the German border, he was captured by the Germans and remained a prisoner of war for 4 months and 11 days. For his service he was awarded the EAME Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars, the Silver Star Medal, Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the POW Medal. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Oretha Tankersley Standley of Palacios; two daughters and sons-in-law, Pat and Tommy Ellis, and Alta and Kent Barnett, all of Palacios; grandchildren Tommie Ellis of Victoria, Alta Ellis of Austin, Searcy Barnett and Wylen Barnett both of Palacios; and a great-granddaughter, Sarah Ellis of Austin. He was preceded in death by his sister, Clara Riley, and brother, Clyde L. Standley. Pallbearers were Tommy Ellis, Kent Barnett, Searcy Barnett, Wylen Barnett, C. L. Standley and J. W. Tankersley. Memorials may be made to the Matagorda County Marine Advisory Committee, 2200 7th St., 4th Floor, Bay City, Tx. 77414. Arrangements are with Palacios Funeral Home.
HECTOR VASQUEZ
A Funeral Mass for Hector Vasquez, 43, of Palacios was held Feb. 20, 2003 at St. Anthony dePadua Catholic Church in Palacios with the Rev. Charles Dwomoh officiating. Interment followed at Confederate cemetery in Alvin. Mr. Vasquez was born Nov. 2, 1959 at Eagle Pass to the Florencia Zavala Vasquez of Palacios and the late Urbano Vasquez. He died Feb. 16, 2003. He was a service supervisor for BJ Services Company of Victoria. He is survived by a daughter, Rebecca Marie Vasquez of Alvin; a son, Issac Urbano Vasquez of Alvin; two sisters, Irma Pena of Bay City and Hope Vasquez of San Antonio; and one brother, Baldemar Vasquez of Palacios. He was preceded in death by a sister, Rachael Vasquez.
ART THURMOND
Graveside services for Art Thurmond, 47, of Blessing were held Feb. 21, 2003 at the Caraway cemetery in Nixon, Tex. A rosary service was held Feb. 20 at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home. Mr. Thurmond was born Sept. 22, 1955 in Wharton to the late Robert Lee and Chedeva Bell Beverly Thurmond. He died Feb. 18, 2003 near Blessing as a result of an automobile-motorcycle accident. A resident of Blessing since 1969 and a former resident of El Campo, he had been employed by the Ralph Petersen Farms, Inc. for 31 years. He was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Blessing Volunteer Fire Dept., on the board of directors for Toys for Kids of Matagorda County, and a member of the Gulf Coast Road Riders Association and Honda Gold Wing Club. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Gay Lynn Hahn Thurmond; two sons, Robert Thurmond and Derrick Gene Thurmond, all of Blessing; two sisters, Nadine Sadler of Grandview, Mo., and Darlene Noska of Bay City; one brother, Phil Thurmond of Angleton; one granddaughter, Taylor Lynn Thurmond of Blessing; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Rusty Hahn, Tom Wiley, Joel Brown, Curtis Walls, Jim Halbert and Don Noska. Honorary pallbearers were Frank W. Hahn, Sr., James Lockhart, Johnny Alexander, Ralph and Darryl Petersen and T. J. Tatum. Memorials may be made to the Toys for Kids of Matagorda County, c/o Jim Halbert, 13 Holy Lane, Bay City, Tex. 77414.
RICHARD E (DICK) STONE
Funeral services for The Rev. Richard E. (Dick) Stone, 70, of Austin, were held Feb. 2, 2003 at Austin Brethren Church with Rev. Albert Mikalik officiating. Interment was in Hranice cemetery in Dime Box with the Rev. Del Miller and Rev. Allen Newby officiating. Rev. Stone was born May 26, 1932 in Harlingen, Tx. to Edwin Eli and Dorothy Crow Stone.ria, Belton, Edna and San Saba before pastoring Brethren Churches in Caldwell and Austin. Stone all of Belton, Rebecca Stone of Denton, Ryan Stone of Cameron, Miles and Troy Stone both of Poth and Cathrin Winsor of Cameron; and stepsons Billy and Chris Taylor of Austin; Byron Taylor of New Orleans and Bryan Taylor of Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother David Stone. Memorial contributions may be made to:«The Outreach Fund at Austin Brethren Church, PO Box 181252, Austin, TX 78758.
RUSSELL FRANKLIN YEAGER, SR.
Funeral services for Russell Franklin Yeager Sr., 71, of Palacios, were held Jan. 26, 2003 at Houston Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Johnny Cherry officiating. Interment wasl at Friendship cemetery in Van Vleet, Miss. Mr. Yeager was born May 13, 1931, in Chickasaw County, Miss., to the late Eddie and Mary Christine Griffin Yeager. He died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003. He had attended West Point High School and was a member of the West Point National Guard. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge/Shriner I.B.E.W. Local No. 917, Kentucky Colonel. He was a retired electrician. He is survived by: daughters, Debra Leigh Yeager Arnett of Palacios, Patricia Diane Yeager Francis of Bentonville, Ohio, and Jennifer Carol Yeager McComas of Cincinnati; sons, Russell Franklin Yeager Jr. of Port Lavaca and David Owen Yeager of Palacios; sister, Martha Nell Yeager Blakeney of Houston, Miss.; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. preceded in death by: first wife, Hazel Leigh Martin Yeager; and his second wife, Shirley Johnson. Houston Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., Houston, 662-456-2500.
R. L. BOBBITT
Funeral services for R. L. Bobbitt, 79, of Markham were were held Jan. 22, 2003, at the First Baptist Church in Markham, with the Reverends Howard Harper and Joe Ramsey officiating. Interment was at Hawley cemetery. Mr. Bobbitt died Jan. 19, 2003 at Methodist Hospital in Houston. He was born April 16, 1923 in Winfield, Kans., to the late Ora and Gladys Kitterman Bobbitt. A resident of Markham since 1991 and a former Bay City resident, he was a mechanic and owned B&B; Muffler in Bay City. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Markham. Survivors include the widow, Mabel Tucker Bobbitt of Markham; a son, Richard Kubena of Markham; grandchildren Gary Brune and wife, Karen, of Fort Worth, Terry Brune and wife, Valenda, and Richard Brune, all of Blessing; eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Margie Dols Seiferman and Elena Ann Kubena; and brothers, Joe, B. J. and Bobby Jack Bobbitt. Named pallbearers were Percy Carroll, John Carroll, James Polensky, Cliff Elliott, Walter Bowers and John Sardelich. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Markham or the Edith Armstrong Center in Bay City. Taylor Brothers Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
GLENN BUFFALOE
A memorial service for Glenn Buffaloe, 79, was held Jan. 11, 2003 at Bear Creek United Methodist Church in Houston, with longtime family friend, the Rev. Billy Fabriguze, officiating.. Mr. Buffaloe born Sept. 17, 1923 in Palacios to Ed and Leona Buffaloe. He died away on Jan. 7, 2003. Following his graduation from Palacios High School in 1942, he entered the 8th Air Force and attended basic training in Miami, Fla.. He then spent three years stationed in England, France and Scotland as a member of the 447th Bomb Group, 708th Squadron, where he was awarded five Bronze Battle Stars and one Silver Star. He returned to the United States at the end of 1945 and married
Irene Claybourn of Palacios. In May 1946, he entered Sam Houston State Teachers College, graduating in 1949 with a degree in Physical Education. He received his Masters Degree in 1951 from the University of Houston and coached high school athletics until 1962, when he became a counselor in the Houston Independent School District at Frank M. Black Junior High School. During this time, he began his own part-time floor covering business, then retired from HISD in 1976 to pursue his flooring business full time. He built his family business into one of the largest independent flooring dealers in Houston and continued to work there, until his illness prevented it in February 2002. In his spare time, he enjoyed working in his garden. But his favorite pastime was attending all of his grandchildrens' athletic events and activities, and was called 'Big Daddy' by all who knew him. Survivors include his wife, Irene, of 57 years; daughter Renie Kristynik and son-in-law, Larry; daughter Denie Lunsmann and son-in-law, Ken; grandchildren Kurt, Kyle and Cole Kristynik and Leslie and Lyndsay Lunsmann, all of Houston; brothers Jack Buffaloe of Corpus Christi and Kenneth Buffaloe and sister-in-law, Genie, of Port Alto; and host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by a brother, Gene Buffaloe; and sisters, Merdell Bachelor and Lanita Skalicky. Honorary pallbearers were Jimmy Bennett, Glenn Dale Claybourn, Jr., Jack Curry, Maylon Fabriguez, Ed Feather, Wayne Hooks, Keith Kristynik, Ronnie Kristynik, Wally Miller, Victor 'Toby' Samuels, Kenny Singletary and Joe Tissue. The family would like to thank Dr. Jay DeBroeck and his staff, the staff of Silverado Assisted Living Alzheimer's Residence and Life Solutions Hospice for their loving kindness and support throughout his illness. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Glenn to the First Baptist Church Building Program, Sour Lake, Tx 77659.
DRUECILLA O'DELL HILBURN
Druecilla O'Dell Hilburn, 59, peacefully passed away in her home on January 4, 2003. A service to celebrate her life was held Jan. 7 at the First Baptist Church in Palacios with Rev. Hollas Hoffman officiating. A graveside service was held Jan. 9 in Lovington, N.M. Mrs. Hilburn was born March 4, 1943 to Winford and Phern Simpson. She was the third of five children. In her youth she lived in Tatum and Lovington, N.M. where she met and married
Bill R. Hilburn in 1966. She was actively involved in the businesses they're owned over the years, including Hilburn Farms, Hilburn Dairy, Showtime Video Stores, and for the past 10 years, Statewide Cotton Company (dba Farmers Gin) in Palacios. During the 1980's she was a top-selling real estate agent in New Mexico. A woman of many talents, she spent her spare time china painting, quilting, sewing, crafting, reading and maintaining a beautiful home. Most importantly, she was a wife and mother who devoted her life to her husband, three children, and five grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Bill R. Hilburn of Palacios; daughter, Debbie Hilburn of Lubbock, Tx.; son and daughter-inlaw, Scott and Dawna Hilburn of Floydada, Tx.; daughter and son -in-law, Amber and John Engel of Palacios; 5 grandchildren Matthew and Wesley Gunn of Lubbock, Maggie and Taylor Hilburn of Floydada and Jackson Engel of Palacios; sister, Frances Johnson of Dublin, California; and brother, Lonnie Simpson of Tatum, N.M. She was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Sam Simpson of San Francisco, California, and John Simpson of Tatum. Memorials may be made on her behalf to Houston Hospice ( 8811 Gaylord, Ste. 100, Houston, Texas 77024) or to The Friends of Elder Citizens, Inc. (705 Commerce, Palacios, Texas 77465). Arrangements by Palacios Funeral Home, (361) 972-2012.
JOSE MORENO
A Rosary Service for Jose Moreno, 78, of the Weedhaven Community, was held Jan. 6, 2003 at Artero Memorial Chapels in Port Lavaca. Mr. Moreno was born Oct. 1, 1924 in El Paso, Tx. to the late Florentino and Felicitas Romo-Moreno. He died Jan. 4, 2003. He was a retired carpenter and a Catholic. He is survived by his wife, Adela Rodriguez Moreno, of Weedhaven; a daughter, Mary M. Garcia, of Olivia, Tx.; sisters Maria Refugia Medina of McAllen, Tx., Juana Maria Rodriguez of El Paso, and Berta Moreno of El Paso; brothers Enrique and Pedro Moreno, both of El Paso, and Ignacio Moreno of Los Angeles, Calif.; 10 grandchildren, Juanita G. Duran of Palacios, Eulalio Garcia Jr. of Upton, KY, David Garcia of Durham, N.C., Victoria Reyes and Carlos Garcia both of Beeville, Tx., Martha Garcia and Teresa Vinyard both of Bay City, Tx., Michael Garcia and Victor Garcia both of Victoria, Tx., and Krystal Garcia of Olivia; 28 great-grandchildren; and great-great grandchildren Michaela and Toti Proctor, and Hannah and Elizabeth Viets. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Andres and Antonio Moreno.
