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Iva Mae Johnson
Funeral services are pending for Iva Mae Johnson, 98, of Rainbow Village, Clifton. She passed away on March 22, 2001, at Goodall-Witcher Healthcare Foundation in Clifton. Iva Mae Hopper was born on April 8, 1902, in Jack County, the daughter of James T. and Estella Gray Hopper. Survivors include a daughter, Marie Rainey of Tulsa, Okla.; one sone, James Ira Johnson and his wife, Wilma; and six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Willie B. Wilcox
Funeral services will be held for Willie B. Wilcox, 82, of Laguna Park, on Sunday, April 1, 2001, at Lake Whitney Baptist Church, with the Rev. Nathan Booth and the Rev. Russell Pogue officiating. Wilcox was born on March 18, 1919, in Eastland, the son of George T. and Della Wood. He passed away at his home on Thursday, March 29, 2001 in Laguna Park. On June 14, 1958, he married
Zetta Ruth Nelson. They had seven children. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945. After training in San Diego, he served in Guadalcanal and New Guinea. He has lived in Cisco, Eastland, Dallas, and Laguna park over the years. He was retired from Merchants Fast Motor Freight of Dallas and A&P; Grocery. He will be remembered for always helping anyone in need and always going beyond the call of duty. He was a very good provider for the family and served his church and community. Survivors include his wife, Zetta Ruth Wilcox of Laguna Park; seven children, William Nelson, James Nelson, and Linda Stephens, all of Cedar Creek Lake, Jean West of Dallas, and Gary Wilcox, Sheran Cox, and Betty Nelson, all of Laguna Park; two brothers, George Wilcox of Cisco, and Morris Wilcox of New Mexico; one sister, Mary Merrell of Odessa; 17 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Pallbearers include Curtis Rust Sr., Curtis Rust Jr., Patrick Stephens, Jason Brooks, Adam Brooks, and Michael West. Honorary pallbearers include Jack Roberts, Tommy Reed, and Billy West. Interment
was in Cook Creek cemetery under the direction of Clifton Funeral Home.
Arnold Carl Braune
Funeral services were held for Arnold Carl Braune, 89, of Clebrune, on March 26, 2001, at the Clifton Funeral Home Chapel, at 2 p.m., the Rev. Charles Rice of Zion United Church officiating. Arnold Carl Braune was born in the Chase Community, on May 1, 1911, to Carl Braune and Alma Bernhardt Braune. He died on March 24, 2001, in Cleburne. He attended Womack School and was a lifetime member of Zion United Church in Womack. On Oct. 30, 1934, he married
Christine Helms in Glen Rose. He had lived in Fairview, Cotvilla, and Bell County, but he returned to Bosque County. He was retired from Wilson, farming, and grocery. He was an avid fisherman and loved his grandson. He loved baseball, basketball, football, and the Texas Rangers. He did not know a stranger and will be remembered as being likeable and honest. He was preceded in death by his wife, Christine and one son who was still-born. Survivors include a son, Garland Braune and his wife, Linda Braune of Clebrune; one grandson, Ross Braune; and a sister, Caroline Braune Miller. Pallbearers included Colby Sorrells, Mike Conrad, Bill Helms, Donald Forson, Fred Henkelman, and Ross Braune. Interment
was in Clifton cemetery under the direction of Clifton Funeral Home.
Thelma M. Kleine Harris
Funeral services were held for Thelma M. Kleine Harris, 78, of Clifton, on Tuesday, March 27, 2001, at 2 p.m., in the First United Methodist Church of Clifton, with the Rev. Marvin Moore officiating. Thelma M. Kleine was born on Nov. 1, 1922, in Womack, the daughter of the late Edward and Aurina (Shroeder) Kleine. She was raised and educated in the Bosque County area. On January 18, 1941, she married
Johnnie Albert Harris. They enjoyed farming together. She was retired from Walls Industries and was a homemaker. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clifton. She enjoyed working in her garden and making quilts and crafts. She enjoyed sharing her garden vegetables and crafts with family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Johnnie A. Harris, on Sept. 25, 1991, and by an infant daughter, Janice Ann Harris, on Jan. 19, 1954. Survivors include two sons, Johnnie Wayne Harris of Meridian, and Edward Ray (Boots) Harris of Alvarado; three grandsons, one granddaughter; six great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter; three brothers, Edmond Kleine, Melvin Kleine, and Erwin Kleine; three sisters, Edna Meinkowsky, Clara Dee Bronstad, and Geneva Coughlin; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends. Interment
was in Clifton cemetery under the direction of Clifton Funeral Home.
Rev. A.L. Barry
The Rev. Dr. A.L. Barry, who had served since 1992 as president of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, died Friday, March 23, 2001, in an Orlando, Fla., hospital. Barry was the church body’s 11th president and the first to die in office. President Barry’s funeral will be held Friday, March 30, at the Chapel of Saints Timothy and Titus on the campus of Concordia Seminary, Clayton, Mo. While on vacation, Barry, 69, had entered the Orlando Regional Medical Center Feb. 25 for treatment of pneumonia. During his hospitalization, he contracted an antibiotic-resistant staph infection that required specialized treatment. His condition worsened March 20, when he experienced kidney dysfunction. He died in the hospital, with family members at his side, of complications arising from kidney and liver failure. Barry was born Aug. 4, 1931, in Woodbine, Iowa. He attended Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minn., and Concordia Theological Seminary, then located in Springfield, Ill. He was ordained in 1956 after finishing his pastoral training through the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Seminary in Thiensville, Wis. In 1960, he requested a transfer of pastoral membership to The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Barry held a master of theology degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. In 1986 he was awarded an honorary doctor of divinity degree by Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. Barry, who succeeded Dr. Ralph A. Bohlmann as Synod president in 1992, was re-elected twice - in 1995 and 1998. In October 1999, he had told Synod executives that, if he were re-elected to a fourth term, he would be willing to serve. Barry was sidelined for several weeks in August and September 1995 when he was diagnosed and treated for a form of leukemia. He returned to work part time in late September and resumed working full time in February 1996, when he received a clean bill of health. Barry enjoyed a high profile during his nearly nine-year tenure as Missouri Synod president, often releasing to the media statements relating the Synod’s position on societal trends and the activities of other church bodies. In recent months he had commented publicly on the Vatican’s Dominus Iesus declaration, rejecting its claim that the Roman Catholic Church is the only true Christian Church, and had written to the National Institutes of Health, urging the organization to withdraw its draft guidelines for funding research on stem cells obtained from human embryos. More recently, he had issued statements on human cloning, reality-based TV shows, the popular Left Behind books and movie, and the FDA’s approval of the so-called abortion pill, RU-486. Barry’s office also produced a number of resource materials, including 29 “What About” pamphlets that address religious and societal topics from a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod perspective. The four newest pamphlets, available in April, discuss going to church, lodges, gambling, and suicide. Barry may be most remembered for “Tell the Good News About Jesus, ” a bold, 13-year evangelism emphasis that he introduced. The emphasis, adopted by the church body in 1998, urges Missouri Synod Lutherans to become more active in witnessing their faith one-on-one to others. Prior to his election as Synod president, Barry had served 10 years as president of the Iowa District East, one of the church body’s 35 districts. Barry is survived by three children: Kristin (Mrs. Richard) Blakeflee of Merritt Island, Fla.; Beth (Mrs. Kenneth) Miko of Cleveland; and Keith Barry of Johnston, R.I.; two grandchildren, Brad and Kelsey; and a brother, Kenneth Barry of Branford, Conn. Barry and his late wife, Jean, were members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Des Peres, Mo. Mrs. Barry died Oct. 15, 1996, after a long struggle with cancer.
Jo Benfer
Graveside services for Jo Benfer, 59, of Clifton, were held on Sunday, March 25, 2001, at Norse cemetery, with the Rev. Beverly Blackman officiating. Felva Joe Benfer was born Dec. 31, 1941, in Clifton, the daughter of Sam Joe Benfer and Florence Dunn Benfer. She died in her home on March 23, 2001. On April 27, 1972, she married
Jerry Benfer. The couple had three children. She has always lived in Bosque County. She was a housewife and a member of the Baptist Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies’ Auxiliary. She was known for her beautiful needlework and gourmet cooking. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister. Survivors include her husband Jerry Benfer; sons, Danny Wolff and wife, Cindy, of Whitney, and Randy Benfer and wife, Donna, of Frisco; daughter, Sherry Worley of Whitney; daughter-in-law, Susan Benfer of Clifton; step-daughter Tammy Harris of BeBe, Ark.; stepson Ricky Benfer of Clifton; one sister, Nell Carter Gann and husband, Leonard, of Azle; one brother, Hollis Benfer of Whitney; 16 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. One stepson preceded her in death. Interment
was in Norse cemetery under the direction of Clifton Funeral Home.
Jordan Nichole Kelley
Funeral services are being held this week for Jordan Nichole Kelley, four months, the daughter of Brent and Stephanie Kelley of Rapid City, S.D., formerly of the Lake Whitney area. Survivors include her parents, Brent and Stephanie Kelley; a sister, Meghan Louise Kelley; grandparents, Joy Kelley and the late Rick Kelley of Lakeside Village, Wendy Clark and the late George Clark of Whitney, and David and Darcy Guenat, Jr., of Riesel; four aunts, Monika Raffaele and husband, Tony, of Mineral Wells, Michelle Jackson and husband, Ronnie, of Otto, Melissa Isham and family of Hoffman, Ill., and Renee Adam and family of Richmond, Va.; three cousins, Ian Jennings and Regan Raffaele of Mineral Wells and Colton Jackson of Otto. Pallbearers were Brent Kelley, David Guenat, Brian Robert, Jerry Robert, Ronnie Jackson, and Melvin King. Persons wishing to assist the young Air Force family with expenses may contribute a memorial donation to the Jordan Nichole Kelley Fund at the Bosque County Bank in Meridian. Interment
was in Whitney cemetery under the direction of Marshall and Marshall Funeral Home in Whitney.
Jennie Anz
A memorial service for Jennie Anz, 76, of Burnet, will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2001, at First Christian Church of Burnet, the Rev. George Perrine officiating. Anz died Saturday, March 3, 2001, at Oaks Nursing Home in Burnet. She was born Aug. 17, 1924, in Llano, the daughter of Thomas N. Harned and Anna D. Patton. She was a homemaker and a licensed vocational nurse. She resided in Burnet for many years, and worked for Dr. Ozier at the Allen Clinic, later working at the Oaks Nursing Home. Anz attended First Christian Church in Burnet, and was a member of the Burnet Order of the Eastern Star. She was a dedicated and devoted caregiver who was loved by all who came to know her. She is survived by three children, Thomas E. Anz of Granbury, Larry R. Anz of Burnet, and Glenda Anz of Burnet; her children’s father, Raymond Anz; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, and by a brother, Nelson Harned. Memorial contributions in the name of Jennie Anz may be made to the Burnet Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star or to a favorite charity. Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, Burnet, was in charge of arrangements.
Robert I. Sechrist
Funeral services were held for Robert I. Sechrist, 80, on Saturday, March 17, 2001, at Our Lady of the Lake Episcopal Church in Laguna Park, with Father Steve Hart officiating. Sechrist was born on April 15, 1920, in Elkhart, Indiana, the son of Foda C. Sechrist and Thelma Bishop Sechrist. He died on March 14, 2001, at Goodall-Witcher Hospital in Clifton. On April 17, 1938, he married
Lucille Wine Sechrist (deceased). They had four children. He had lived in Laguna Park since 1963. Prior to that he had also lived in Indiana and Dallas. Sechrist was a Purple Heart recipient during World War II. He was a Mason and a Shriner. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, and golf. He will be remembered as a wonderful father and a very giving person. Pallbearers were his grandsons. Survivors include two daughters, Jerry Ann Zachary and husband, Tom, of Mesquite, and Dixie Sechrist Haddox and husband, Bill, of Waco; two sons, Terry Robert Sechrist of Garland, and Randy Curtis Sechrist of Aurora, Colo.; 11 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Interment
was in Smith Bend-Coon Creek cemetery under the direction of Clifton Funeral Home.
