Clinton T. Wright
Clinton T. Wright, 83, of Cuero, died Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2004.
He was born Feb. 16, 1920, in Nixon, to the late Thomas Eugene and Lela Ethredge Wright. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy. He worked for Guadalupe Textile Company for 25 years and was retired from the City of Cuero. He served as chief of police for seven years, worked with the City of Cuero Electrical Department, and was Sexton of Hillside Cemetery. He was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 409, VFW No. 3972, and Union Valley Baptist Church. Survivors: wife, Lois Beatrice Harris Wright; sister, Erma McCracken of Nixon; and brother, Homer Wright of Cuero. Preceded in death by: parents and brothers, Eugene Wright and Jack Wright. Visitation was Thursday, Jan. 22 at Freund Funeral Home. Services were Friday at the funeral home chapel, the Rev. David Washburn officiated. Burial was at Hillside Cemetery. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343. Pallbearers: Stanly Wright, Jackie Wright, Brett Wright, Jamie Wright, Steven Henson, Frank Henson, and Tommy Henson. Memorials: American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.

Helen B. Howe
Helen B. Howe, 94, of Cuero, died Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004.
She was born July 4, 1909, in Cuero, to the late Edwin C. and Caroline Kramer Barnard. She was personal manager for Sears and a member of Eastern Star Chapter No. 618 O.E.S. in Cuero. Survivors: husband, Howard H. Howe; sons, Charles Benton of Cuero and Barnard Benton of Galveston; and four grandchildren. Preceded in death by: parents; brothers, John Barnard and James Barnard; and grandson, James Douglas Benton. A private graveside service was held Tuesday, Jan. 27, the Rev. Toby Brown officiated. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343. Memorials: Eastern Star Chapter No. 618 in Cuero.

James B. Carter
James B. "Rip" Carter, 76, of Cuero, died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004.
He was born Feb. 16, 1927, in Anson, to the late Steven Jessie and Reta Wise Carter. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He was retired from Air Equipment Rental. Survivors: daughters, Nancy Ellis of LaSalle and Elaine Carter of St. Louis, Missouri; sons, James Boyd Carter of Arneckeville and Frank Carter of Crosby; sisters, Sue Browski of Beeville, Wanda Rathburne of New Braunfels, and Maurine Hatcher of Little Rock, Arkansas; brother, Sam Carter of Alice; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by: wife, Edna Hanson Carter; parents; brother, Charles Carter; and two grandchildren, Daniel Ellis and Angel Nicole Ellis. Visitation was Friday, Jan. 23 at Freund Funeral Home Chapel. Services were Saturday at the funeral home chapel, the Rev. Homer Anderson officiated. Burial was at Hillside Cemetery. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343. Pallbearers: Cody Carter, Jimmy Ellis, Vernon Ellis, Bo Carter, Kristan Carter, and Brandi Carter. Memorials: Hillside Cemetery.

Erwin A. Moritz
Erwin A. Moritz, 86, of Meyersville, died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2004.
He was born on July 22, 1917 to the late Willie H. and Sophia Dentler Moritz. He was a rancher and farmer. He served on the DeWitt County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. He was a member of Mission Valley Volunteer Fire Department and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Meyersville. Survivors: daughters, Geraldine Pullin of Cuero, Faye Hood of Rosenburg, Betty Sue Moritz of Meyersville, and Myrna Smith of Santa Barbara, California; sons, Conrow Moritz of Cuero and Wiley Moritz of Meyersville; brother, Alton Moritz of Meyersville; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by: wife, Leona Brandt Moritz; grandson, Marlin Moritz; and sisters, Waldine Heinhold and Miss Gladys Moritz. Visitation was Saturday, Jan. 24 at Freund Funeral Home in Cuero. Funeral services were Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church in Meyersville. Burial followed at St. John Cemetery in Meyersville. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343. Pallbearers: Patrick Lange, Chad Smith, Casey Smith, Conrow Moritz Jr., Willie Green, and Fennis Green. Memorials: St. John Memorial Fund.

Esther Buesing
Esther Steves Buesing, 87, of Yorktown, died Monday, Jan. 12, 2004.
She was born Nov. 7, 1916, in Runge, to the late Herbert H. and Adeline Wessels Steves. She was a retired lunchroom worker at Yorktown ISD and a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Survivors: daughter, Carol Veazey of Yorktown; sons, Herbert Buesing Jr. of Austin, Dennis Buesing of Alvin, and David Buesing of Pflugerville; sisters, Viola Hodges of Pennsylvania and Shelvy Schneider of Victoria; brothers, Leslie Steves of Colorado and Jack Steves of Runge; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by: husband, Herbert Buesing; brothers, Carl Steves, Harold Steves, and Frank Steves; and three grandchildren. Visitation was Wednesday, Jan. 14 at Lamprecht-Janssen Funeral Home Chapel. Services were Thursday at the funeral home chapel, the Rev. Patti Byrne officiated. Burial was at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery. Lamprecht-Janssen Funeral Home, Yorktown, 361-564-2277. Pallbearers: Jerry Steves, Ray Leister, Arlan Leister, Herbert Wayne Buesing, Heath Buesing, and James Semper. Honorary pallbearers: Remaining grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Memorials: St. Paul Lutheran Church or Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Lucille D. Finley
Lucille D. Finley, 94, of Cuero, died Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004.
She was born in Taylor on July 4, 1909 to the late Gordon and Sally Rollins Abbott. She graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Houston in 1929. She served as a county health nurse in Williamson County and Georgetown. She finished her nursing career at Goldon Age Home in Lockhart. Survivors: daughter, Dian Barron of San Antonio; son, C. Gordon Finley of Lampasas; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Augustus Finley, and parents. Services will be at a later date. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-3464.

Mary R. Sertuche
Mary Ruiz Sertuche, 55, of Cuero, died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004.
She was born in DeWitt County on April 19, 1948 to Consuelo Villalobos Ruiz of Goliad and the late Marion G. Ruiz. She was a homemaker and a Catholic. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Jo Sertuche of Cuero; sons, Richard M. Hernandez, Simon Hernandez Jr., and Ruben Hernandez, all of Cuero; mother; sister, Leticia Arrendondo of Goliad; brother, Jesse Ruiz; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her father and brother, Pancho Perez. Private services were held Monday, Jan. 19. Burial was held at Hillside Cemetery in Cuero. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343.

Ida B. Schmidt
Ida Brieger Schmidt, 94, of Georgetown, and formerly of Yorktown, died Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004. She was born April 1, 1909, in Runge, to the late Herman and Emma Natho Brieger. She worked at Nau Dry Goods Company and the DeWitt County View newspaper. She was a Lutheran. Survivors: son, Everett Schmidt of Georgetown; sisters, Stella McMillan of Houston and Pearl Boyle of San Antonio; and brother, Emmett Brieger of Nogal, New Mexico. Preceded in death by: husband, Paul A. Schmidt; sisters, Ruby Daniels, Hermia Noe, Hertha Brieger, Dora Brieger, and Alfrada Gardner; and brother, Monroe Brieger. Visitation was Monday, Jan. 19 at Lamprecht-Janssen Funeral Home Chapel. Services were Tuesday at the funeral home chapel, the Rev. Patti Byrne officiated. Burial was at Westside Cemetery. Lamprecht-Janssen Funeral Home, Yorktown, 361-564-2277. Memorials: donor's choice.

Charles R. Shumate
Charles Ray Shumate, 74, of Cuero, died Monday, Jan. 5, 2004.
He was born April 2, 1929, in Big Springs, to the late Holman C. and Odessa Crawford Shumate. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was retired from Oilfield Equipment Marketing. He was a member of the NOMADS-Houston Chapter since 1958, American Petroleum Institute, and the Houston Board of Realtors. Survivors: daughter, Rebecca Marler of Clyde Hills, Washington; sisters, Marieta Roewe of Spring Branch and Eva Louise Petty of San Antonio; and grandchildren, John Marler Jr. of Pflugerville and Meghan Marler of College Station. Preceded in death by his wife, Maria Elizabeth Thompson Shumate, and parents. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14 at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston, with the Rev. James McPhail officiating. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343.

Earl S. Prater
Earl S. Prater, 63, of Cuero, died Friday, Jan. 9, 2004.
He was born August 26, 1940 in DeWitt County to the late John Franklin Prater and Josie Lee Lewis. He was a carpenter and a member of Mt. Bethel Baptist Church. He is survived by his sisters, Faye Brown of Chicago, Illinois, and Karen Prater of Seattle, Washington; and brothers David Prater of Cuero, Derell Prater of Corpus Christi, and Joseph Prater of Waco. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 16 from 7 - 8 p.m. at Freund Funeral Home Chapel in Cuero. Funeral services will be Saturday, Jan. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home chapel, with Rev. DeWayne Belvin officiating. Burial was at Hillside Cemetery in Cuero. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343. Memorials: American Cancer Society.

Frances Lempa Peyton
Frances Lempa Peyton, 89, of Cuero, died Monday, Jan. 12, 2004.
She was born on January 19, 1914 in DeWitt County to the late Vincent and Mary Hadamek Lempa. She received her Master’s degree from Southwest Texas Teachers College and taught elementary school in Waelder, Ratcliff, and Clinton. She spent 13 years teaching in Meyersville and 10 years teaching in the Cuero ISD. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, Hospital Auxiliary, the University Club, Five Mile Homemakers, Kopy-Kats Service Club, the SWT Alumni Association, and St. Michael’s Catholic Church. She is survived by her daughter, Mary McCurdy of Cuero; sons, Vincent H. Peyton of Stafford and Patrick E. Peyton of Yorktown; sister, Lucy Warwas of Cuero; brother, B. J. Lempa of Cuero; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, James J. Peyton Jr.; sons, James Peyton III and an infant son; parents; sisters, Sophie Plasczyk, Elizabeth Martin, Mary Danysh, Agnes Foy, Gertrude Melvin, Ann Lempa, Hedwig Grubb, and Martha Lempa; and brothers, Ludwig Lempa, Joe Lempa, and Frank Lempa. A Rosary will be recited Friday, Jan. 16 from 6 - 7 p.m. at Freund Funeral Home Chapel in Cuero. A Mass will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, with Rev. Kirby Hlavaty officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, DeWitt County. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343. Pallbearers: Matthew McCurdy, Travis Peyton, James Peyton IV, Mike Lempa, Leonard Lempa, and Thomas Lempa. Honorary Pallbearers: Jeanette Peyton, Ann Holmes, Laura Peyton, Tracy Perrone, and Mary Katherine McCurdy. Memorials: St. Michael’s Catholic Church.

Henry O. Noster
Henry O. Noster, 82, of Yorktown, died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004.
He was born Oct. 11, 1921, in Yorktown, to the late Oscar and Annie Peters Noster. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in World War II and receiving the Bronze Star. He owned and operated H & H Grocery Store for 42 years and worked for Lamprecht-Janssen Funeral Home for 12 years. He taught and then served as superintendent of Sunday School, served as commander and vice commander of the American Legion, and was a member of the Yorktown Housing Commission and St. Paul Lutheran Church. Survivors: wife, Mildred Carson Noster; daughter, Joyce Hoefling of Yorktown; son, James Noster of Yorktown; sister, Annie Kramer of Yorktown; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by: sisters, Mildred Spellmann and Lucille Mueller. Visitation was Thursday, Jan. 8 at Lamprecht-Janssen Funeral Home Chapel. Services were Friday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, the Rev. Patti Byrne officiated. Burial was at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery. Lamprecht-Janssen Funeral Home, Yorktown, 361-564-2277. Pallbearers: Larry Sievers, Gene Carson, Dennis Saunders Jr., Bryan Hoefling, Billy Chandler, and Michael Noster. Honorary pallbearers: Marvin Sievers, Arvid Sievers, Sherrod Carson, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and members of American Legion Post No. 272. Memorials: St. Paul Lutheran Elevator Fund or donor's choice.

Agnes A. Repsher
Agnes A. Repsher, 81, of Daytona Beach, Florida, died Monday, Jan. 5, 2004.
She was born in Spring Valley, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 5, 1922 to the late John and Mary Hrkach. She was retired from Western Electric and a Roman Catholic. She is survived by her husband, William H. Repsher; daughters, Chris Carbonara of Cuero, Donna Coleman of Keller, Kathy Pignoli of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, and Leslie Poff of Easton, Pennsylvania; brothers, Johnny Hrkach, Richard Hrkach, and Michael Hrkach; sisters, Ann Bentley, Margie Tamarro, and Tessie McMahon; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Joe Hrkach and Tony Hrkach. A memorial Mass was celebrated on Friday, Jan. 9 at the Epiphany Catholic Church in Daytona Beach, Florida. Alavon Crematory Services, South Daytona Beach, Fla., 386-322-2510. Memorials: St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Cuero or St. Michael’s School in Cuero.

Edgar A. Kruse
Edgar Anton Kruse, 84, of Cuero, died Dec. 31, 2003.
He was born Feb. 10, 1919 in DeWitt County to the late George and Antonia Raaz Kruse. He worked at a feed store. He is survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Frieda Huber, Elsie Wehman, and Isabella Schaffner; and brothers, George Kruse Jr., Alex Kruse, Edmund Kruse, Willie Kruse, and Leon Kruse. Visitation was Saturday, Jan. 3 at Freund Funeral Home. Services were Sunday at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, the Rev. Steve Byrne officiated. Burial was at Hillside Cemetery. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343. Pallbearers: J. C. Hull, Nolen Wendel, Floyd Boedeker, Jimmy Bulgerin, Calvin Ahrens, and Henry Stall. Memorials: St. Mark's Lutheran Church.

Clifford H. Smith
Clifford H. Smith, 91, of Daisetta, died Dec. 30, 2003.
He was born in Coushatta, Louisiana, on June 28, 1912. He was a production supervisor in the petroleum industry. He is survived by his sons, Richard H. Smith of Cuero, Bobby Joe Smith of Lockport, Louisiana, Jack S. Smith of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Gary B. Smith of Daisetta; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lamerle Powell Smith. Visitation was Thursday, Jan. 1 at Freund Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services were Friday at Hillside Cemetery, the Rev. Bill York officiated. Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343. Memorials: Donor’s choice.

Col. Joseph J. Kolodzey
Col. Joseph J. Kolodzey, USAF (retired), 86, died peacefully December 30, 2003 in his home in Universal City, Texas.
Col. Kolodzey was born May 1, 1917 in Yorktown, Texas, the younger son of Ed and Mary Kolodzey. He attended St. Edward's University and the University of Texas at Austin. He joined the U.S. Air Force, received his commission, and served in Europe during World War II. He retired from the military in 1971 after a distinguished 30-year career. Col. Kolodzey is survived by his two daughters, Sarah Hesslink of Spokane, Washington, and Katie Kolodzey of Austin; brother Charles E. Kolodzey of Austin; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Aubrey Dunn Kolodzey in 1988. The funeral Mass was held Monday, Jan. 5 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Yorktown. Arrangements by Lamprecht-Janssen Funeral Home, 212 E. Main St., Yorktown, TX 78164, 361-564-2277. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donation to Hope Hospice, 611 N. Walnut Dr. in New Braunfels.