Obituaries

    Martin Matias Tristan, Sr., 76, born in Ganado on Feb. 24, 1940 to Primitivo Tristan, Sr., and Maria Castro Tristan, passed away peacefully on Sept. 29, 2016 in San Antonio.     Martin worked for San Antonio Bag & Burlap as a truck driver for 22 years until he retired and then became a custodial worker for the Northeast Independent School District in San Antonio. He loved to travel and was a musician with his conjunto band, Los Vientos Del Norte de Martin Tristan. Most of all, he loved to spend time with his family and friends.     He is preceded in death by his father Primitivo Tristan, Sr., mother Maria Castro Tristan, brothers Dionicio Tristan, Sr., Raymond Tristan, Pete Tristan, Primitivo Tristan, Jr., sisters Virginia Vasquez, Beatrice Bustamente and Caroline Cortes.     He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Olga C. Tristan.

    Kenneth Michael Woodring, 64, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. He was born on Dec. 29, 1951 in San Antonio to Kenneth F. and Betty Ann Woodring of Victoria.    Mike was an avid hunter of mule deer, South Texas deer and fishing. He was an active member of Friends of the NRA in Victoria.  He also was an active member of St. Agnes Church of Edna. He worked with changes made in the different names of these companies being the last EPCO of Port Lavaca for 40 plus years of service.    Mike is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Margaret, and one very special Great Dane, Abby; two stepsons; Mark W. Shoemake and wife to be Zolia Martinez, of Victoria, and Kevin Shoemake and wife Patty of Victoria; their grandchildren, Chloe Shoemake, Chad Shoemake, Kinsey Shoemake, Kalie Shoemake and Katana Shoemake, as well as their great-grandchildren; Kenley Koehl, Theo Rangel, Evee Fowler, Braxton Shoemake and Cayson Drexler, all of Victoria.

    Jack Wayne Fleming died peacefully in his home, surrounded by family on Sept. 20, 2016 in San Antonio at the age of 60.     Jack was born on March 16, 1956 in Bossier City, La. to Walter and Pearline Fleming. After high school, he served a single enlistment with the United States Air Force with an honorable discharge. He was a hard-working man and devoted father, never afraid to sacrifice for his family. He served as a Southern Baptist minister for several years. Jack is survived by his daughters Kristy (Michael) Rickman and Heather Cline, both of San Antonio; four grandchildren Christian, Noah, Aiden, and Hannah of San Antonio. He is also survived by his mother Pearline Fleming of Cuero and siblings Dale Fleming of Ganado and Patty Cunningham of Cuero; his former spouse and mother of his daughters Diane Fleming of Damon.     He is preceded in death by his father, Walter Fleming.

    Jack Wayne Fleming died peacefully in his home, surrounded by family on Sept. 20, 2016 in San Antonio at the age of 60.     Jack was born on March 16, 1956 in Bossier City, La. to Walter and Pearline Fleming. After high school, he served a single enlistment with the United States Air Force with an honorable discharge. He was a hard-working man and devoted father, never afraid to sacrifice for his family. He served as a Southern Baptist minister for several years. Jack is survived by his daughters Kristy (Michael) Rickman and Heather Cline, both of San Antonio; four grandchildren Christian, Noah, Aiden, and Hannah of San Antonio. He is also survived by his mother Pearline Fleming of Cuero and siblings Dale Fleming of Ganado and Patty Cunningham of Cuero; his former spouse and mother of his daughters Diane Fleming of Damon.     He is preceded in death by his father, Walter Fleming.

Barbara Stephenson, wife of State Representative Phil Stephenson, passed away the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 25 in Wharton. Barbara died of complications from a stroke attributed to a condition known as Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy.     She is survived by her husband Phil, her two children, Scott, his wife Tammy, and Allison and her husband Chris LeGrand, and six grandchildren:  Matthew, Tyler, Kaitlyn, Lindsey, Meagan and Blake.     Barbara was born in Amherst in 1948. She grew up in Levelland. She and Phil were married on Oct. 6, 1973. In 1974 they moved to Wharton.     Barbara was an enthusiastic participant in a great many things, volunteering for a multitude of boards and activities for her children, her grandchildren and her community. She took a degree in Interior Design.     Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 29 at Wharton Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. The funeral will be Friday at First United Methodist Church in Wharton at 2 p.m.

Cheryl Fojtik, 57, was born Oct. 31, 1958 in Orlando, Fla., to the late Sturgis and Betty Cunningham. She went to be with the Lord after a courageous fight with cancer with her loving family by her side on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016.     Cheryl had a passion for always taking care of others. She used that passion to become a registered nurse. Cheryl was also a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who will be truly missed.     She is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Bill Fojtik; daughter, April Wilkinson and Cindy of Australia; sons, Cody Fojtik of Edna, Corey Fojtik and Nay of Yoakum; sister, Cynthia Muschalek and Ronnie of Edna; brothers, Charlie Cunningham and Patty of Cuero, Joe Cunningham of La Belle, Pa., Sturgis Cunningham, Jr.

    Alma Louise Jecker Williams of Rockport,  beloved wife of Joe Williams, passed peacefully away on Sept. 18, 2016.     She and her husband Joe shared 62 years of married life. During that life together they raised three children, built a business, and were blessed with six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Alma began her life in 1935 in Victoria; the daughter of Eddie and Tempi Jecker and sister to Natalie and Mary Evelyn. She attended Nazareth Academy and was St. Joseph High School Homecoming Sweetheart in 1952. She was known for being a compassionate friend, and for her many talents including singing, acting, fashion design, and painting. As a member of the Victoria College art club, Alma helped created the first Pirate mascot and was the first president of the Saberettes dance team.     Alma was active in civic organizations in Victoria, Ganado, Beeville, and Rockport. She was also an avid fisherwoman and hunter – activities she enjoyed with Joe and her children.

    Edward Suniga, of Edna, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, at the age of 79. He was born Feb. 16, 1937, in Jackson County, Texas, to the late Seberiano and Juanita Suniga.     Edward was a loving brother, uncle, and friend who will be missed dearly.     He is survived by his sisters, Olivia Liserio (Antonio), Rosa Arismendez (Ramon), Eloisa Leonardini (Russell); brothers, Sam Suniga, Manuel Suniga (Theresa), Roger Suniga (Rosa), Joe Suniga (Delores), Ruben Suniga (Adelina); and numerous nieces and nephews.     Edward is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Celia Cavazos; sister in law, Ophelia Suniga.     Visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 23,  from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. in the Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel in. Reverend Michael Petering will be officiating. Burial to follow at Latin American Cemetery in Edna.

    Lillian Carolyn Koop Wiede, 97, of Edna joined her heavenly home on Sept. 19, 2016.  She was born on Jan. 4, 1919, in Koop Settlement, Edna, to Frank and Sibyl Abel Koop. She grew up and spent her whole life in Jackson County.     Lillian married Marvin Herman Wiede on Oct., 27, 1939 and they were married for 69 years. Their years together were filled with family, joy, and laughter, and Lillian loved Marvin wholeheartedly in this world until the day she was able to join him again in Heaven.     Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, as well as her siblings, Delite Hoffman, Francis Koop, Dorothy Simons, Ruth Denard, Enid Littlefield, John Koop, Harold Koop and Elaine Turner.     Lillian worked as an administrator at Texana Nursing Home and Edna Hospital for 20 years. She was also a devoted homemaker. She read voraciously, and she could finish a crossword puzzle faster than anyone (with answers that were mostly correct).

Rusty Williamson went to grace Heaven (we think) with his presence on Monday, Sept. 19, 2016 after 61 years of tormenting his loved ones here on Earth with his corny sense of humor and incomparable and gaseous charm. Born Ruxton O. Williamson, Jr. in Alice on Friday, March 11, 1955, Rusty was the best-looking and most humble of the Williamson children.     He is preceded by his equally handsome father, Ruxton, Sr. and survived by his mother, Little Sargent (Margie), and sister Debbie Cleveland (Wayne) of Ganado, and sister Lois Schiurring (Walde) of Bay City.     Rusty leaves behind an attractive – yet unavailable – wife, Connie of Wharton, safely behind a cattle guard, electric wire, and barbed-wire fence; two successful children from his first attempt, Fighting Texas Aggie Courtney Hudgins (Neil) of Hungerford, and Ruxton, III of a band of gypsy Texas Longhorn traveling the country.