Obituaries

Daphne Gwendolyn Anderson, of Edna, Texas passed away on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, at the age of 75. She was born August 9, 1941, in Macon, Georgia, to the late Charlie Richard Gregory and Rose Evelyn Anderson Gregory.     Daphne was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be missed dearly.       She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Thomas Kent Anderson; daughters, Gwen Anderson Jones and Kim Anderson; sons, Alan Anderson and his wife Glenda, Brad Anderson and his wife Gerri; sister, Aurleia Lee Snow; grandchildren, Sabrina Wills, Nicholas McCord, Timothy Trester, Lane Anderson; great-grandchildren, Cera Wills, Brayden Wills; 13 step-grandchildren; 13 step-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.     Daphne is preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, Charles Van Jones.     A funeral service was held on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. in the Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel in Edna with the Revs.

    Elsie Michalke Matak, 83, of Houston, formerly a resident of Fannett, died Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. Elsie was born on Aug. 28, 1933, to Mary Bahner Michalke and Otto Michalke, in Taiton. She grew up and resided in Edna before moving to Beaumont in 1956, where she and Pete Matak raised their six children, until moving to Fannett in 1971. She spent her last years in Houston with her grandson, Chris Matak, Jr.     Survivors include sons, Richard and Belinda of Fannett; Danny and Pat of Hamshire; Peter and Dania of Fannett; Chris and Elaine of Fannett; and Chuck and Tera of Sour Lake; and daughter, Mary Ann Kajander and John of Houston. She was also a loving grandmother to 19 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.     She is preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Mary Michalke; and siblings, Leo, Elo and Leona Steinberg; and grandchildren, Teri Matak and Logan Matak.     A gathering of family and friends will be from 5 until 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept.

Lee Everette Allen III, of Edna, at the young age of 22 went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, with his loving family by his side. He was born on Dec. 15, 1993, in Victoria, to Lee Everette Allen, Jr. and the late Tisa Jones.     Lee was a loving son, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend who will be missed dearly.       He is survived by his loving grandmother Betty Robinson Jones, and paternal grandparents; father Lee Everette Allen Jr.; aunt Deborah Mohagheghian; uncle Troy Houston; cousins Tishira Williams, Timiron Williams, Rashid Mohagheghian, and Ali Mohagheghian; and a host of cousins and friends.     In addition to his mother, Lee is preceded in death by his grandfather Lorrian “Yang” Jones; aunt Tammie Jones; and great-grandparents.     Visitation will be held on Monday, Sept. 5 from 12 to 1 p.m., with a funeral service to follow at 1 p.m. in the Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel in Edna. Rev. James Bryant will be officiating.

Gary Allan Betts, 59, passed away Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. He was born April 28, 1957 in New Milford, Pa. to Royce and Margaret Mills Betts.     Gary worked for TxDot for 17 years in the Victoria office.     Gary is survived by his wife, Mary Alice Gonzales; brothers, Neal (wife Tracy ) Betts and Rick (wife Tammy ) Betts.     He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Monica Marie Betts; and a brother, Scott Betts.     Visitation will be Tuesday Aug. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Slavik Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be Wednesday Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. at the Slavik-Edna Funeral Home Chapel. Internment will be in the Memory Gardens Edna Cemetery.     Pallbearers will be Rick and Neal Betts; Johnny, John David, Ben, Bobby, and Anthony Gonzales.     Honorary pallbearers are Howard Callis, Oliver Castanon, Larry Bures, Chuck Bubank, Benny Gonzales, Daniel Gonzales, and All TxDot employees.     Services are under the direction of Slavik-Edna Funeral Home, 361-782-2152.

    Mildred Elaine Herrington Branham, 88, formerly long time resident of Bee County and Jackson County, passed away on Friday, August 26, 2016. She was bon on May 27, 1928 in Ganado, to John Barry Herrington and Mildred Conovey Herrington.     Survivors include her sons, Robert E. Branham, Jr. and Walter Barry Branham; brother, Bobbie Lee Herrington; and one grandchild.       Preceded in death are her parents, and her husband Robert E. Branham, Sr.     Visitation was Monday, Aug. 29, from 2 p.m. until services at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Edna, with Pastor Adam Knapp officiating, with a private family burial to follow.     In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to The First United Methodist Church of Edna or the charity of your choice.     Services are under the direction of Slavik~Edna Funeral Home, 361-782-2152.

    John Milton Zeller, 35, of Ganado, died Aug. 20, 2016. He was born July 19, 1981 to John M. Zeller Sr. and Cindy Janca Zeller.     He is survived by his partner, Amber Machicek of Victoria; son, Charles; daughter, Rylee; brother, Timothy Zeller; sister, Melissa Carter Plaag; and grandmothers Julie Janca Mikes of Shiner, and Mary Zeller of Kountze.     He is preceded in death by his parents; brother Allen Zeller, and grandfather Leon Janca.     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family to offset expenses.     A private celebration will be held to honor his memory on Aug. 31. 

    Emily Irene Koop Chase, 92, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016. She was born on Oct. 14, 1923 to William A. and Josephine Blaise Koop.     Emily worked as manager of the Edna Movie Theatre prior to its closing. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandma.  She was strong in her faith and was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and LWML. Emily loved her family and always enjoyed the family reunions and talking about pictures of her relatives. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.     Emily is survived by her sons, Robert and his wife Rita of Hallettsville, and Richard and his wife Kathy of Ganado, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Eddy Arnold Chase, her son Russell, her brother William (Bill) Koop, and her sisters, Evelyn Elsik and Betty Unger.     Visitation is Saturday, Aug. 27 from 12:30 p.m. until services at 2 p.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, 108 E.

Morris Daniel Utz, 69, rode off into the sunset to be with the Lord on Aug. 23, 2016, after a short struggle with cancer. He was born June 30, 1947 in Morales to Daniel (B.I. ) and Erna Thomas Utz.     He attended school in Edna and junior college in Wharton. He served in the Army in the Vietnam War. On Nov. 6, 1971 he married Sherri Crabb in Edna.     He was a devoted husband and father, well-respected oil filed consultant, and rancher. He was a member of the Robison Street Church of Christ.     Survivors include, his wife, Sherri; son Jason and his wife Allyson of Lubbock, son, Justin and his wife Kari of San Antonio; sister, Linda Utz, of Rosenberg; sister Diann Cottrell and her husband James of Needville; Lyn Utz, born as cousins lived like brothers, and his wife Anna of Edna; three grandchildren, Barrett and Carson of Lubbock and Alexis of San Antonio; and numerous nieces and nephews.     He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Erna Utz, and brother, Randy Utz.

Services are pending for Emily Irene Koop Chase, 92 of Edna.

Morris D. Utz, 69 of Edna, Visitation will be Friday at Slavik Funeral Home Chapel from 5-7 pm and the Funeral service will be Saturday at The Church of Christ at 301 Robison St. in Edna at 10:00 am.