Obituaries

    Joe F. Marek passed away peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015 at the age of 99. He is now reunited with his beloved wife, Angelina who entered eternal rest on Nov. 1, 2012.  They were married for 64 years. He was a longtime resident of Edna and spent his last years in Fredericksburg at Knopps Nursing and Rehab Center.

    Raymond E. Kuretsch, 94, of Ganado passed away on Monday Jan. 19, 2015. Raymond was born on Jan. 11, 1921 to the late Louis and Lena (Buddenburg) Kuretsch in Ganado, on the same land he continued to live on.
    Raymond is preceded in death by his parents; his wife Verlie Mae Kuretsch, his brother; Bernard Kuretsch and his sister Esther Walton.
    Raymond is survived by his children, Ray Kuretsch of Ganado, Bonnie and husband Trey Edwards of Victoria, and Robbie and his wife Brette Kuretsch of Katy; his grandchildren, Sabrina (Martin) Mollie (Jason), Ross Shae (Christa); great-grandchildren, Christian, Celeste, Taylor, Zachary, Gage and Gavin.

    Terry James Olsovsky, of Francitas went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015 at the age of 51. He was born in El Campo, on April 14, 1963, to Henry Olsovsky, Jr. and Patricia Compton.
    He worked as a subcontract gauger for 34 years. Terry was a loving father, grandfather, son, brother and friend who will be truly missed.
    Terry is survived by his daughters, Ashley Olsovsky Rosalez and her husband Matthew of Ganado, Britney Ann Olsovsky and Rocky Galvan of Edna, Tiffany Olsovsky Summers and Michael Winters of Blessing and Destiny Faith Olsovsky of El Campo; parents, Henry Olsovsky, Jr. of Blessing and Patricia Compton of Tennessee; stepdad, Randy Mosier of Tennessee, brother; John Paul Olsovsky and wife Darlene of Louise; grandchildren, Waylon, Lance, Landon, R.J., Liyah and Tyson.

    Juanita Santellana Pena, 64, of Edna, passed away on Jan. 14, 2015 in Victoria. She was born May 1, 1950 in Edna to Cirilio and Rafaela Santellana. She lived in Edna all of her life and attended the Edna schools.
    Services will be on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Edna with a rosary at 9:30 a.m. and funeral mass at 10 a.m.
    Tracy's M.J. Santellana Funeral Directors-Edna is in charge of arrangements, (361) 782-9234.
 

Catherine Mary Wiegand, of Edna, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015 at the age of 63. She was born July 17, 1951, in Ganado to the late Burton Charles and Mary Ann Gerdes Wiegand.
    Catherine worked in accounting in banking for years. She touched the lives of many people with her smile and generosity, and maintained her trademark sense of humor all the way to the end. She was a loving mother, sister, aunt and friend who will be missed dearly.
    She is survived by her son, Billy Reynolds and wife Charloet; sister, Pat Wiegand Buss and husband Mike; brothers, Dick Wiegand and Rose, Forrest Wiegand and wife Cindy; three grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
    She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Charles Wiegand; and niece, Melissa Wiegand Rickerman.

    Patsy Jean Porche, of Edna, passed away Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015 at the age of 80. She was born May 4, 1934, in Abilene to the late Arthur Herbert and Allie Sylvia Thomasson. 
    Patsy was a housewife who touched the lives of many people with her smile and generosity. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who will be missed dearly.
    She is survived by her daughters, Ouida Rhae Orsak and Mitzi Jean Porche both of Edna; son, Ty Porche and wife Lisa of Edna; sister, Peggy Bezoni and husband Paul of Edna; grandchildren, Ryan and Kerri Webernick, Krista and Dustin Smith, Kaylea Orsak, Kacy and Ronald Norris, Erin and Matt Martin, T. Ray and Taylor Porche; great-grandchildren, Bauer, Landon, Madison, Bailey, Savannah, Bella Grace and Roston and numerous nieces and nephews.
    She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Chili Ray Porche; brother, Phil Thomasson.

    Edward Leon Whitley, Sr., of Edna, passed away Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 at the age of 77. He was born in Morales on Sept. 24, 1937, to the late James N. Whitley and Louise Claybrook Whitley.
    Leon was a college professor in physics for many years. He became a full time rancher after he retired. Leon touched the lives of everyone that knew him. He was also a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend who will be missed dearly.
    Leon is survived by his loving devoted wife of 55 years, Susan HansonWhitley; daughter, Molly Marie Snaufer and husband Mark; sons, Edward Leon Whitley, Jr. and his wife Cecilia and Roy James (Jay) Whitley and his wife Noelia; brothers, Donald Whitley and his wife Robbie of Edna, Joe Whitley and his wife Paula of Victoria, Glenn Whitley of Tennessee Colony; grandchildren, Eric Snaufer, Braxton Hibbs, Sterling Hibbs and Keegan Hibbs.
    He is preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Allyssa Snaufer.

Mary Thedford
    Mary Hall Thedford, of Edna passed away Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 at the age of 84. She was born in Stedman, N.C. on July 24, 1930, to the late John Ray Hall and Alice Perry Hall.
    She worked as a lifetime nurse known throughout the community as a Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Mary was a loving sister, aunt and friend who will be truly missed by all who knew her. Mary was a member of First Baptist Church of Edna and a member of Women of the Word of Sunday School Class. She served on the board of the Velma Robinson Foundation.
    Mary is survived by her brother, Robert Hall of Elm City, N.C.; uncle, James Edward Hall of Fayetteville, N.C.; numerous nieces and nephews and many specials friends.
    She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Hilda Gray; brothers, Bill Hall, Harvey Hall and George Hall.

Daniel Ray Davis, of Edna, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2015 at the age of 64. He was born in Ganado on October 8, 1950, to James W. Davis and the late Nila Faye Goggans Davis.
    He worked as a foreman at Mercer Construction for 46 years. He provided for his family and loved the time that was shared. Daniel was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend who will be truly missed.
    Daniel is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Martha A. Davis of Victoria; daughter, Jennifer Salinas and her husband Mel of Port Lavaca; son, Matthew Daniel Davis and his wife Yvonne of Austin; step-mother, Anna Davis of McQueeney, sister, Diana Jean Ladd and her husband Homer of China Spring; brothers, James L. Davis of Port Lavaca and Douglas Davis of Victoria; grandchildren, Jessica Granados, Joseph Davis, Alyssa Davis, Preston Salinas, Payton Salinas and Pierston Salinas.

    Lorena Mae Griffin, 92 passed away Friday, Jan. 10, 2015. She was born Feb. 9, 1922 in Ganado, to the late James and Virginia
Allen. Lorena received her formal education in Jackson County, she was employed by the Hensley family of Ganado as a housekeeper for many years. Lorena was a member of the Prosperity Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. C. L. Foley where she served faithfully as a choir member and deaconess. She was also a longtime member of the Eastern Star. Lorena was a homemaker who loved her family dearly.
    Survivors include one daughter, Ella Griffin, two sons, M. C. Griffin, Jr. and Wilbert Griffin. Also surviving are five grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
    Visitation and services will be Thursday, Jan. 15, beginning at 9:30 a.m., followed by funeral services at 10:30 a.m. at the St. James Lutheran Church in Ganado, with Rev. Chris Heinhold officiating.