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Jack W. Donaldson
A memorial service for Jack W. Donaldson, 78, of Valley Mills, were held Friday, Sept. 19, 2003, at First Baptist Church of Valley Mills, the Rev. John Wheatley officiating. The services were followed by visitation with the family in the church’s fellowship hall. He was laid to rest in a family graveside service. Donaldson died Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, at M.D. Anderson Medical Center. He was born June 20, 1925, in Milam County, to Curtis and Ruby (Aycock) Donaldson. Following his graduation from Waco High School in 1942, he served in the United States Navy during World War II. After the war, he attended Tarleton State College before transferring to Texas A&M; University, where he graduated in 1949. While attending Tarleton, he met his future bride, Josephine Garrett of Stephenville. The couple was married
Aug. 31, 1948, in Stephenville. She preceded him in death on Aug. 19, 2003. He taught vocational agriculture at Valley Mills High School from 1949 to 1956, when he was recruited by Gen. James Earl Rudder to work for the Veterans Land Board. Following his tenure with the VLB, he worked for the Texas Highway Department until his retirement in 1985. Donaldson was known throughout the community and the state as a loyal and fervent supporter of everything connected to Texas A&M.; He was a member of the A&M; Twelfth-Man Foundation, and took pride in the fact that two of his sons and three of his grandchildren followed him as graduates of his beloved Texas A&M.; He was also a lover of sports, and for many years enjoyed serving as a referee for high school and junior high football. He was a member of the John Armstrong Lodge in Valley Mills, and served as the lodge’s Grand Master. He also served on the Valley Mills Independent School District’s Board of Trustees for many years. As an active member of First Baptist Church in Valley Mils, Donaldson served as a Sunday School teacher, a choir member, a deacon, and a trustee. Some of his happiest hours were spent in the church nursery where he served as a Sunday morning volunteer. In retirement, he served as a volunteer reading assistant in the first-grade classroom of Linda Adrian at Valley Mills Elementary School. Even when his eyesight began to fail he continued in that volunteer effort. He was also a regular volunteer at the Bosque County Food Pantry, where he faithfully served each Thursday morning. He had also served on the board of directors of the Valley Mills cemetery Association since the early 1960s. Donaldson was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years; by a son, Jack Wilton (Bubba) Donaldson; and a grandson, Clayton Jack Kennedy. Survivors include sons Jim and wife Debbie Donaldson of Wimberly, and Curtis and wife Teresa Donaldson of Salado; daughters Joyce and husband Michael Milburn of Tyler, and Celia and husband Dick Kennedy of Clifton; brothers Bill Donaldson of Waco and Donnell Donaldson of Bosqueville; 12 grandchildren, Cara Kennedy Davis, Clifton Kennedy, Emilee Milburn Pierson, Joseph Milburn, Katie Donaldson, Bonnie Donaldson, Luke Donaldson, Daniel Donaldson, Elizabeth Donaldson, Rachel Donaldson, Caroline Donaldson, and Garrett Donaldson; and two great-grandchildren, Jordan Pierson and Alayna Pierson. Memorials may be made to the Josephine G. Donaldson Scholarship Fund at Tarleton State University, Box T-0260, Stephenville, TX 76402, or to the “Jo’s Prayer Closet” Memorial Fund at First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 627, Valley Mills, TX 76689. Funeral arrangements were by Foss Funeral Home of Valley Mills.
Earnest Howard (Buddy) Oliver
Funeral services for Earnest Howard (Buddy) Oliver, 52, of the Turnersville community, were held Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003, at Connally-Compton Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. John Hogan officiating. Oliver died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003. He was born Aug. 13, 1951, in Waco, to the late Harold Oliver and Geraldine Dunn Oliver. He graduated from University High School, and attended McLennan Community College and Sam Houston State University. He worked for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 25 years. Oliver married
Pamela Bullock on Oct. 3, 1997, in Long Island, N.Y. He was a member of Turnersville Baptist Church, and was a Mason. He was preceded in death by his father; nephew Christopher Holstein; four uncles; and three aunts. Oliver is survived by his mother, Geraldine (Gerry) Oliver; his wife, Pamela Oliver; daughters Christi and husband Steve Collins of Elmont, N.Y.; son Tyson Heden of California; sisters Janet and husband David Allen of Ovilla, and Marsha and husband Bobby Densman of Waco; brother Larry and wife Wanda Holstein of Corsicana; grandson Adain Collins; three nieces; three nephews; three great-nieces; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Oliver’s name to the building fund at Emmanuelle Baptist Church, where he was an active member during his youth. Gatesville Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Alwina Pauline Thiele Sander
Funeral services were held for Alwina Pauline Thiele Sander, 94, of Bedford on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Kimbrough Funeral Home Chapel in Cisco with Rev. Gary Turner officiating. Sander, one of 16 children, was born on Oct. 31, 1908, in the Bismark Community near Valley Mills to Gustav and Pauline Stoerner Thiele. She passed away on Monday, Sept. 8, 2003, in Bedford. She was united in marriage to Albert Gustav Sander on Nov. 28, 1926. After living in the Clifton area for a few years, the couple moved to Belton, owning a Western Auto Store. Later, they resided in Cisco, again purchasing another Western Auto business. After the death of her husband in 1982, Sander moved to Fort Worth to be near her son, Richard and family. She will be remembered as a busy and caring person, full of life, making and doing things for others. Being the last surviving member of her immediate family, she was proud of her extended family. Survivors include her son, Richard and wife, Dianne, of Bedford; grandson, Erik of Austin; sister-in-law, Mrs. Herbert (Estelle) Thiele of Valley Mills, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Norman Jean Findley Prince
Funeral services for Norma Jean Findley Prince, 66, of the Smith Bend Community, were held Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003, at the Clifton Funeral Home Chapel, the Rev. Robert Moran and David Snipes officiating. Interment
followed at Smith Bend-Coon Creek cemetery. Prince died Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was born Dec. 24, 1936, in Waco, to W.O. (Beb) and Lucille Findley. She graduated from Clifton High School in 1955, then received a degree from Four C Business College in Waco. She then moved to Dallas and worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for many years. On Aug. 31, 1956, she married
Billy Wayne Prince. They resided in Mesquite until moving to the family farm in 1972. For the next 30 years, she worked at various livestock auctions in the Central Texas area, mainly at Clifton Livestock and Waco Stockyards, until her retirement due to illness. Prince was a member of Smith Bend Baptist Church for many years, and most recently was a member of Lebannon United Methodist Church in Aquilla. She was also a member of the Coon Creek Good Neighbor Club. She enjoyed playing the piano and organ at church, cooking, sewing, gardening, hunting, fishing, and raising cattle. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Dudley and Junior Findley; her loving husband of 41 years’ and a son, Steven Prince. Survivors include daughters Lisa Prince of Clifton, and Penny and husband Casey Bomar of Gatesville; and three grandsons, Justin Prince of Clifton, and Jarrod and Barrett Prince of Meridian. Her family expressed special thanks to all her friends and family for their prayers and encouragement during her illness. Sincere appreciation was expressed to the many doctors and nurses at M.D. Anderson in Houston, Goodall-Witcher Hospital in Clifton, and Hospice of the Heart in Whitney for their loving care and support. Memorials may be made to the Smith Bend-Coon Creek cemetery Association, c/o Mary Kleypas, P.O. Box 5507, Laguna Park, TX 76644, or Hospice of the Heart, 218 S. San Jacinto, Whitney, TX 76692. Clifton Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Velma Lorene Wilkerson
Funeral services were held for Velma Lorene Wilkerson, 84, of Laguna Park, on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003, at Laguna Park Baptist Church with Doug Evans officiating. Wilkerson was born on Nov. 22, 1918, at Elderville to James and Sarah Dobbs Hunt. She passed away on Friday, Sept. 5, 2003, at Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home. After the death of her mother, Sarah Hunt, she was raised by Joe and Della Bowie from the age of three. attended and graduated from school in Hillsboro. On June 10, 1938, she married
Wesley William Wilkerson in Hillsboro. Wilkerson was a Green Thumb volunteer for about four years, and was a member of Laguna Park Baptist Church for 34 years. Her hobbies included skipbo and dominos. Comments on her life and character included: “devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Very loved by many nieces and nephews.” She was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley Wilkerson, 1988; son, Jerry Wilkerson, 1992; and grandsons, Phillip, 1976, and Steven, 1991, Wilkerson. Survivors include son, Larry Wilkerson of Laguna Park; daughter, Donna Edwards of Laguna Park; brother, Robert Hunt of Waco; grandson, Mark Wilkerson of Bakersville, Calif.; granddaughter, Sherry Van Raaphorst of Laguna Park; grandson, Jimmy Smith of Laguna Park; and six great-grandsons. Her pallbearers were Jimmy Smith, Mark Wilkerson, Zack Allen, Blake Allen, Tony Allen, and Tony Van Raaphorst. Interment
was held at Cook Creek under the direction of Clifton Funeral Home.
Sharon Knustrom
Memorial services were held for Sharon Diane Landess Knustrom, 56, on Friday, Aug. 29, 2003, at First Presbyterian Church in Clifton. Knustrom was born on May 19, 1947, the daughter of Jene and Joyce Landess. She passed away on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003. Knustrom grew up in Burlington, Iowa, where she married
her high school sweetheart, Don Knustrom. The couple met while working together at the local drive-in. Their lives were complete with the birth of their two children, Heather Lea in 1971 and Eric Shawn in 1972. The family moved to Clifton in the early 1980s, and Knustrom purchased and operated Spieler Gallery, now known as Stonewall Collections. Knustrom’s legacy of civic duty and volunteerism are without end. She was a visionary behind the Bosque Conservatory. Other groups which benefited from her involvement were Bluebonnet Girl Scouts, Bosque Animal Rescue Kennels, Bosque County Business and Professional Women, Clifton Chamber of Commerce, Clifton Main Street, and Meridian’s National Barbecue Cook-off, among others. Knustrom was the recipient of many accolades, but most meaningful to her were the Bosque Conservatory and Tin Building Theatre’s Lifetime Achievement Awards, the Bluebonnet Girl Scout’s “Woman of Distinction” Award, and BPW’s “Woman of the Year Award.” She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clifton, where she served as church elder and chairman of Christian Education for Children and Youth. She found during her illness that the most important things in life are family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jene and Joyce Landess. Survivors include her husband, Don Knustrom of Clifton; Heather Knustrom-Goff and daughter-in-law, Alaina Knustrom-Goff, of Albuquerque, N.M.; her son, Eric Knustrom of Austin; and her brother, David Landess of Carpentersville, Iowa. Knustrom asked that memorials be made to BARK, the Bosque Conservatory, or First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements were made through Clifton Funeral Home in Clifton.
Ruby Myrtis Cobb Parrish
Funeral services for Ruby Myrtis Cobb Parrish, 87, of Cranfills Gap, were held Saturday, Aug. 30, 2003, at First Baptist Church of Cranfills Gap, Pastor Danny Rogers and former pastor and friend Brother Bill Schibler officiating. Burial followed at St. Olaf’s Rock Church cemetery east of Cranfills Gap. Parrish passed away Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2003. She was born Jan. 30, 1916, in Normangee. On July 6, 1935, she married
Wilbur Jefferson Parrish in Mexia. Family members said they admired her for her self-taught education through reading and world travel, for being a loving mother and friend, and for providing a loving Christian home where she taught Christian values. Parrish especially enjoyed playing games, gardening, bird watching, crossword puzzles, and playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For many years after moving to Cranfills Gap, she enjoyed taking care of her pool and yard, and fishing. Other hobbies she enjoyed were reading, quilting, and painting. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Cranfills Gap, where she served as church treasurer for the past 22 years, as well as serving on various church committees. She expressed her love for her community by participating each year by cooking for the Lutefisk Dinner and by helping make quilts to be raffled at Septemberfest as a fund-raiser for the Goar Valley Extension Club’s Scholarship Program for the high school salutatorian. Parrish was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, W.J. (Jake) Parrish, in 1981; her son, W.E. (Gene) Parrish, in 1994; her daughter, Judith P. Rose, in 1999; and her son, Lee A. Rose, in 1970. She is survived by her daughter, Janet P. and husband Larry C. Cox of Cranfills Gap; sisters-in-law Dean Cobb and Grace Parrish; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many close friends. Her grandsons served as pallbearers. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Cranfills Gap or the charity of the donor’s choice. Clifton Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Evelyn Nell Bronstad Kettler
Funeral services were held for Evelyn Nell Bronstad Kettler, 74, on Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, at Restland Memorial Chapel in Dallas. Kettler was born June 24, 1929, in Clifton. She is survived by daughter Melinda Kettler; sons, Mike Kettler and wife, Vicki, and Kris Kettler and wife, Dana; three grandchildren, Chaley, Tawny, and Chad; one sister and three brothers.
Evelyn Sorenson
Funeral services were held for Evelyn Sorenson, 86, of Buchanan Dam at First Lutheran Church in Burnet on Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, followed by a graveside service in the Trinity Lutheran cemetery in Clifton, Texas. Sorenson was born on Aug, 26, 1917, to Carl Everett Rice and Alma Ann Ruffin-Rice. She passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2003. She was a devoted member of the First Lutheran Church in Burnet, Texas and dedicated her life to her Lord, her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Alexander Sorenson Survivors include her brother Elma Z. Rice; son, Carl Sorenson; daughters, Suzanne Lintner and Sharon Sorenson; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First Lutheran Church of Burnet.
