Obituaries

    Willie Gene Smith, 70, of Ganado went to be with the Lord on April 10, 2015 surrounded by his loved ones. He was born July 8, 1944 in Liberty County to the late Willie A. Smith and Margaret Rankin.
    Gene was a member of First Baptist Church, Ganado. He served in the U.S. Army and retired from Brown and Root after 37 years of employment. He was a Master Mason of Old Ocean Lodge #1284 and a member of the Scottish Rite.
    He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Penella “Penny” Smith of Ganado; daughters Kaci Allen and husband Brian, Nikki Slaton and husband Chris, all of Ganado, Lenora Stinson and husband Tom of Nacodoches; son, Christopher Preite and wife Michelle of Ganado; sister Shirley Smith; 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.    
    He was preceded in death by his parents.
    Per Gene’s wishes, private graveside services were held on April 11 at the Ganado Cemetery with Brother Ryan Carpenter officiating.

    Burton Benedict "Dickey" Wiegand, 74, passed away on Saturday, April 11 in Houston, surrounded by the people who loved him deeply. He was born on April 14, 1940 to the late Mary and Burton Wiegand.
    He was an accomplished educator and decorated coach with a career spanning more  than 40 years. Dickey is survived by his wife, Rose Wiegand, a sister Pat Buss, a brother Forrest Wiegand, and many loved nieces, nephews, and family members. Dickey is preceded in death by his, parents, his daughter Melissa Rickerman, a brother Charles Wiegand, and sister Catherine Wiegand.
    Graveside services will Monday, April 13, at 2 pm, at the Red Bluff Cemetery.
    Services are under the direction of Slavik Funeral Home, 209 N. Allen St., Edna, 361-782-2152.

    Johnnie Thomas “Pete” Pearson, of Edna, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at the age of 82. He was born Feb. 13, 1933, in Friona, Tex to the late John Thomas and Vertis Scarborough Pearson. 
    At the age of 18, Pete served 2 Years in the US Army and was stationed in Germany. Pete became the owner of Ace Machine and Welding in 1960 where he was a welder & machinist for 17 years. He worked as a construction superintendent for Valero for 15 years and Independent Consultant for 5 years. He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be missed dearly.

Albert Rakowitz
    Albert Edward Rakowitz, 71, of Marion, died April 4, 2015 in San Antonio. He was born on April 17, 1943 in LaSalle. Albert was a longtime resident of Marion. He worked as a mechanic, salesman, and longtime owner/operator of Riverside Resort. He was creative and able to fix just about anything. He would often create unique “fixes”, while solving a problem, or repairing an item. Albert worked hard, but he did enjoy fishing and hunting as often as he could. His favorite pastime of all was most definitely spending time with his family.
    Albert is preceded in death by his siblings, Gertrude Tegeler Stark, Mary Boehm, Frances Tudyk, Raymond Rakowitz, and Anna Reyher. 

    Jeanie Marie Klimitchek, of Lolita, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2015 at the age of 71. She was born February 29, 1944, in Hallettsville, Texas, to the late James and Lovie Long. 
    Jeanie was a member of the Point Comfort Church of Christ and truly lived a Christian life. She worked for Industrial ISD for 27 years, touching the lives of many with her smile & generosity. She loved life, and she lived to love. She considered her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to be her greatest blessings.

    Richard Lee Johnson, of Lolita, passed away Sunday April 5, 2015 at the age of 76. He was born Aug. 30, 1938, in Hallettsville, to the late Elton Fay and Ruthie Mae Hermes Johnson. 
    He is survived by son Mark Alan Johnson of Edna, longtime friend Joyce Jacobs, Timmy and Brenda Jacobs and Dennis Norris. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
    He is preceded in death by his wife Molly Johnson, two infant sons, two sisters and one brother.
    A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 9 at 3 p.m. in the Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel.
    In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Bluebonnet Youth Ranch, P.O. Box 90, Yoakum, TX 77995.
    Arrangements are under the direction of Oaklawn Funeral Home in Edna. 361-782-2221.
    www.oaklawnfhednatx.com.
 

    Henry “Hank” Louis Vesely, 85, passed away April 1, 2015. He was born on July 4, 1929 to the late John and Mary Gregurek Vesely in the Whitehall Community of Jackson County. A midwife helped with the birth during a rainy 4th of July. He was the youngest of six children born to his parents. 
    Hank attended Whitehall school through the 10th grade, walking the distance of about two miles to and from school. He helped his parents on the farm. His mother passed away when he was 14, and his father passed away when he was 19. Hank joined the United States Marine Corps for a three-year hitch, but the Korean War extended his term by one year, also called "at the convenience of the government" and served from 1948 to 1952. He loved the Marine Corps the rest of his life and attended several USMC reunions for his outfit, C Co., First Marines, 7th Regiment or C-1-7. 

    Nathaniel Rashad Campbell, 30, passed away on March 21, 2015 in Texas City.
    Known as "Nat" and "Big Nat", Nathaniel was born Aug. 23, 1984 to Beverly Callis Campbell and Robert Campbell.
    He was a resident of Texas City. 
    Services were Monday, March 30, at Greater Bell Zion MBC in Texas City with visitation 10 a.m. until noon, funeral at noon. Burial was at Hayes Grace Memorial Park, Hitchcock. 
    Tracy's M.J. Santellana Funeral Directors-Edna, in charge of arrangements (361) 782-9234.

Kirstin Bates, 78, joined our Heavenly Father on March 26, 2105.  She was born Jan. 9, 1937 in Copenhagen, Denmark to the late Inga and Holger Hjortsvang. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 49 years, Robert E. Bates.
    As a gifted artist, she worked as a fashion illustrator for an Austin newspaper. She resigned in order to raise her young children. She also had a passion for sewing and knitting. Once the children were grown, she opened a successful boutique in Katy featuring her own designs. Of all her accomplishments, her greatest joy was her family whom she loved dearly. She touched many lives with her gentle and loving spirit.
    Kirstin will be deeply missed by her surviving family, daughter Anette Nixon (Clyde); son Niels Bates (Debbie); brother Niels Morten Hjortsvang (Soledad); sister Susanne Karlak (Bob); grandchildren Justin Nixon (Wendy) and Christle Bradley; great-grandchildren Luke, Cade, and Kylea.

    Travis E. Childers of Louise died March 23, 2015 at the age of 64.  He was born on Jan. 23, 1951 in Wilmont, Ark. He was a retired substation technician for AEP, and recently had worked for Steam Roller Energy.  He was a Vietnam veteran.
    He is survived by his father Leon Childers of Ganado; wife Jeanette Childers of Louise; daughters Jackie Alvarez and husband Alex of LaPorte, Christi Dunagan and husband Bobby, Jr. of Port Lavaca; son Travis Lee Childers of Louise; step-daughters Amber Whitington and husband Clyde of El Campo, and Ashley Wells and husband Ryan of Sugar Land; grandchildren Rachel Alvarez, Malynne Childers, Jordan Childers, Katalina Garza, Tiffany Dunagan, Brittany Dunagan, Hunter Dunagan, Presley Wells, Kinley Whitington; great-granddaughter Lily Dunagan; sisters Barbara Ruth Moser of Montgomery, Carol Wilson of Georgetown,  Sandy Ramirez of Lake Jackson, Rhonda Sulak of Jonestown; and numerous nieces and nephews.