Obituaries

Wanda Rowell Smith Stanley passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at the age of 80. Wanda was born on March 5, 1937 to Mack and Ruby Rowell in Edna. Wanda was a long time resident of Bay City. She loved to travel the country with her husband of 33 years, Thomas “Tom” Stanley. Wanda loved all types of art and was a member of the Bay City Art League. Wanda spent countless hours volunteering from 1985-2010 for the Pink Ladies Auxiliary-Matagorda County Regional Medical Center, Bay City, Texas.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents Mack and Ruby Rowell; sister Darlene Caswell and husband James; brother Jimmy Rowell; son and daughter-in-law Thomas “Bubba” and Toni Smith; son-in-law Ben Sublett and husband Henry G. Smith.

Donna Sue Trail, 67, of Edna, passed away on Sunday, April 2, 2017 Donna was born on Fe. 19, 1950 in El Campo, to Monroe Jerkins and Eula M Donahue Jerkins.
Donna was an LVN for many years in Jackson County.
Donna is survived by her stepsons, also her brothers and sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, and her husband.
There will be a private Celebration of Life Service at a later date.
Services have been entrusted to Russell Todish of Slavik Funeral Home, 361-782-2152.

Douglas Kelley
Douglas “Doug” Alexander Kelley, of Edna, passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2017. He was born on February 12, 1950, in Gonzales, Texas to the late Homer Kelley and Alma Gloor Kelley.
Doug was a very active person in the Jackson County Community. He was a former Marine, retired Army Sergeant, and Paramedic/Firefighter for several years. He was Santa for a lot of people. Doug was also an active participant in the Run for the Wall Organization. He had a wonderful personality that will never be forgotten. Doug was a loving companion, father, brother, co-worker, uncle and dear friend that will be truly missed.

Joyce Laree Schoonover Bernal, of Lolita, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2017. She was born on May 7, 1961 in Ganado to Willard Henry Schoonover and the late Mary Ann Bruce Schoonover.
Joyce was a loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend who will be dearly missed.
Joyce is survived by her father, Willard Henry Schoonover; daughter, Rachael Baker; son, Michael Villarreal (Kristen); sisters, Judy Lopez (Lupe), Mary Greer (Shannon), and Marla Parchman (Terry); brother, Willard Schoonover; grandchildren, Conner, Kaylee, Cohen, Dallas, Dylan, and Emma; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joyce is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Ann Schoonover.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, in the First Baptist Church of Lolita. Burial to follow at Red Bluff Cemetery in Lolita. Rev. Gary Thedford will be officiating.

Shirlie Fay VanEtten Totman, 68, passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2017. Shirlie was born on Friday, July 16, 1948 in Whistler, Mobile County, Ala. to Warney Sherman VanEtten and Viola Olivia Bridges VanEtten, she had seven brothers and sisters.
Shirlie worked at Industrial School District for 18 years, and was married to her loving and wonderful husband for 48 years. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her and loved her.
Shirlie is survived by her husband, Henry Totman, Jr.; her daughters, Stephanie and Brad Miller, Lois and Richie Schaffer; and her son, Henry and Amy Totman, III. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Scott Miller, Ryan Hadley, Dylan Totman, Caleb Hadley, Kylie Totman, David Miller, and Landon Schaffer; and two of her siblings.
Shirlie was preceded in death by her parents, and five of her siblings.
There will be a Memorial Service at their residence, 985 CR 448 Francitas, on Saturday, April 8, at 4 p.m.

Sarah Phillips
Sarah Phillips, 86, went home to be with her Lord on Monday, March 27, 2017. Sarah Mae was born in Peason, La. on April 15, 1930 to Johnnie Griffin and Evelyn Ruth Wright Bivens.
She grew up in Jasper, Texas and graduated from high school there. She worked as a telephone operator and dental assistant before meeting her “prince charming”, Lee Travis Phillips. They were married on Oct. 20, 1949. They then moved to Victoria, Texas where they raised their four children. Sarah made a warm and welcoming home for her family, which included, at times, dogs, cats, squirrels, chickens and birds. She enjoyed playing “42” and spending time with her husband, kids, and grandkids.

Billie "Joyce" Knopp, 84, passed away Saturday, March 25, 2017. She was born June 14, 1932 in Yoakum to the late Joseph A. and Ruth Terry Munson.
Joyce was retired from the Jackson County Library after 19 years of service. She and her husband Alton have been members of Hope Baptist Church for 62 years.
Survivors are her husband of 65 years, Alton Knopp of Edna; daughter, Karen Castellow of Danbury; sons, Dick Knopp of Edna and Rex Knopp (Sarah) of Inez; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Lillian Williams and Betty Loyce Stevens; brother. J.A. (Bub) Munson.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, March 27 at Thiele Cooper Funeral Home in Yoakum.
Funeral service will be 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 28 at Thiele Cooper Funeral with Rev. Tim Williams officiating. Burial to follow at Salem Cemetery.

Helene (Dolly) Seligman
Helene (Dolly) Seligman, 89, of Austin passed away on March 25, 2017 after a short illness. She was born in Jacksonville, Fla., Sept. 20, 1927 to Emma (Cohen) and Nathan Dwoskin.
Dolly attended Florida State College for Women, now Florida State University. During WWII she flew small planes for the Civil Air Patrol, watching for foreign invaders along the Florida coastline. She and her husband spent much of their life in Edna, Texas and was active in her children’s lives and education.
Dolly truly believed in education and increasing her own knowledge as well, returning to college to earn a degree in Fashion Merchandising after her children had grown to help in the family clothing business.

Gerald Wayne Glenn, age 69 of Ganado, Texas, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2017 at Citizens Hospital after complications from pneumonia.
He was born on April 3, 1947 in Hungerford, Texas to Hortense Peikert Glenn and William Henry Glenn. He was the fourth child of five.
Gerald was raised in Hungerford and graduated from East Bernard High school. He was an excellent machinist. He worked for WKM and Cameron Iron Works.
Gerald is survived by sisters, Edith Borak and Bonnie Darroh and husband Richard; daughter, Christal Heller; step-children whom he loved and cared for as his own, Todd Womack and wife Amber, Misty Williamson and Shawn Hurt; numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Gerald is preceded in death by his parents, Hortense Peikert Glenn and William Henry Glenn; and two older brothers, William Lee Glenn and David Leon Glenn.
Gerald’s grandchildren, nieces and nephews will miss his teasing and quick wit.

Linda Elene Duenow Goss, 69, formerly of Jackson County, passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Linda was born on Thursday, Sept. 11, 1947 in Bay City, to Edwin H. Duenow and Mildred "Kitten" Martha Sterling Duenow.
Linda graduated from Industrial High School and went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree at A&I Kingsville. She married Robert Goss, and together they raised their children Elene and Jonathan Goss.
She enjoyed teaching the kids at her horse camp, and also took many of the children around to the different horse shows. She also loved working with the children and elderly as a counselor and case worker.
Linda is survived by her daughter Elene Goss and Son-In-Law Troy Mikeska, and also her two step daughters; Jolynn Chacon and Amber Melton.
Linda is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert, and her son Jonathan.