Obituaries

Cecil Don 'Donnie' Fenner, of Edna, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016 at the age of 85. He was born in Cordele, Texas on June 1, 1930, to the late Oscar Brenhurst ('O. B.') Fenner and Leta Brigham Fenner.

Donnie was a retired rice farmer and rancher in northern Jackson County. Donnie was active for many years in Farm Bureau. He received a Texas Farm Bureau Pioneer Award in 2008 to reflect his impact on the organization over the years. He joined the Jackson County Farm Bureau in 1955 and through the years since that time has served as president, vice president and secretary-treasurer of the organization. At the state level, he served as a member of the Resolutions and Legislative committees and he chaired the Rice Committee. He was director of Edna Rice Elevators and served on various rice related committees.

Blair Francene Boyd, 28 of Rockport, went to be with God on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016. Blair was born on Jan. 1, 1988 in Port Lavaca to Anthony D. Marek and Lisa F. Hase.

Blair is survived by her parents, her son Izaiah Perez, her brother Jacob Boyd and wife Tess of Corpus Christi and her sister Megan Goodwin of Corpus Christi.

Graveside services were held Saturday, January 9 at 10 a.m. at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Edna.

Funeral services have been entrusted to Russell Todish of Slavik Funeral Home, Edna, 361-782-2152.

Virginia Charlene "Char" Girndt, 83, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. She was born Nov. 4, 1932 in Huntsville, Texas to JC and Emma Gavin Roberts. 

She retired from teaching at Ganado Elementary after 30 years. She was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, Jackson County EEA, and the Crossroads Emmaus Community.

Char is survived by her son Joe and Lei Ann Girndt of Ganado, her son-in-law Carl Korth of Victoria, her granddaughter Elizabeth Girndt and her grandsons Craig and Joy Girndt and Bobby Graham.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bobby, her daughter Janet Korth and her son Scott Girndt.

The family will receive visitors from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016 at Ganado Funeral Home. Services will be Monday, Jan. 11 at St. James Lutheran Church in Ganado with Rev. Chris Heinold officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Ganado Cemetery.

Shirley Sbrusch

Shirley Jean Sbrusch, of Edna, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, at the age of 70. She was born Dec. 29, 1945, in Morales, to the late William M. Gates and Lillie Mae Utz Gates.

Shirley was a housewife for several years. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who will be truly missed.

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Karen Fojtik and her husband Robert; son, Kelly Sbrusch and his wife Joyce all of Edna; sisters, Willie Mae Marthiljohni, Ruby Summers, Eveyln Michaelki; brothers, Billy Gates, Ronnie Gates, Daniel Gates; grandchildren, Clinton Sbrusch, Blake Sbrusch and Brittany Carroll, Trent and Lindsey Fojtik, Katie Fojtik and Derek Hicks, Hannah Taylor; great-grandchildren, Addison Fojtik, and Heidi Hicks.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alfonse Sbrusch, Jr.; and sister, Patricia (Pasty) Merrill.

John Allen Slay, of Inez, left our world to be with his maker on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015 at the age of 79. He was born in Raymondville on June 5, 1936, to the late Elmer Slay and Clara Slay. The family settled in Sweeny in the 1940’s.

John was a 1954 graduate of Sweeny High School and briefly attended The University of Texas, He was a die-hard Longhorn and Texans fan. He loved all sports and made sure to attend all his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was a Ganado Indian and El Campo Ricebird fan.

Michelle Hamilton Raybon, of Victoria, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, at the young age of 29. She was born June 4, 1986, in San Antonio, to Edward and Phyllis Hamilton.

She taught at Edna Elementary School, and dearly loved her students and colleagues. Michelle was a loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend who will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband, Quincy Raybon; parents, Edward and Phyllis Hamilton; mother in law, Pam Bures Raybon; brother, Edward (Aaron) Hamilton and his wife Sarah; grandparents, Wendell and Jean Hamilton, Philene Whitfill; nephew and niece, Gaige and Aubrey Raybon; god-daughter, Evelyn Raybon and many more loving family members and friends.

Michelle is preceded in death by her grandfather, Jerry Whitfill; father in law, Dusty Raybon.

Doris L. Bowen, of Edna, has received her angel wings and has flown off to Heaven on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, at the age of 79. She was born Sept. 22, 1936, in Collegeport, Texas, to the late Melvin Roy Smith and Mable Christian Smith.

Doris was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be missed dearly. She was a stay at home mother and housewife her entire life.

Herman Glen Schoenfeld, 73, passed away, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015. He was born Feb. 2, 1942 in Ganado to Herman and Clara Schoenfeld.

Glen graduated from Southwest Texas College (Texas State). Glen worked as a teacher/coach/counselor  in Victoria, Refugio, Ganado and Edna. He was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Ganado. He is survived by his wife, Patsy, and a brother Ray Schoenfeld. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ganado Funeral Home, 800 So. Third St. Funeral services will be Thursday, Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. at the St. James Lutheran Church, with Pastor Chris Heinold officiating. Interment will follow in the Ganado Assumption Catholic Cemetery.

Services have been entrusted to Russell Todish of the Ganado Funeral Home, 361-782-2120. 

August "Gus" Malcik, 89, of Ganado passed away on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015. He was born on Jan. 18, 1926 in Cistern to the late Louis and Philomena Psencik Malcik. 

Gus served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He retired from Texaco. 

Survivors include his wife, Irene Kahanek Malcik.

He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and four sisters.

Visitation was Sunday, Dece. 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Ganado Funeral Home, with a rosary being recited at 5 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. at the Assumption Catholic Church in Ganado, with Rev. Michael Lyons officiating. Interment will be in the Assumption Catholic Cemetery. Military honors will be performed by the Ganado American Legion Post #346. 

The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to; Assumption Catholic Church or Ganado American Legion Post #346.

Lucy Jane Craft, 97, passed away on Dec. 3, 2015. She was born June, 12, 1918 in Morales, to Edwin Thompson and Lillie Roberta Gipson Thompson. 

She was preceded in death by parents; husband, William Craft; daughters, Rosie Jones and Hazel Craft; sisters, Mary Ella and Edith Thompson, and Earnestine Brown; brothers, Edwin, Collie, I.G, and E.T Thompson. 

To cherish her memory she leaves daughters, Carrie Brigham, Bernice Lawson, and Prince Ella Reathi; sisters, Estelle Hines, Lula Randle, and Hattie Gilmore; nine grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be at Cook-Butler Funeral Home in El Campo, Friday, Dec. 11, from 4t o 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m. at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in El Campo with burial to follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Edna.