Obituaries

    Ruby Lee Balentine Potts, 95, of Lolita, died at home Monday, May 12, 2014.
    She was born Aug. 12, 1918, in Iron City, Tennessee, to the late Joe Houston Balentine and Frances Clementine Darby Balentine. She was a homemaker and former employee of the Houston Independent School District.
    She is survived by her daughters, Sharon Lee Wevill of Malaga, Spain, and Deborah Elaine Wittnebert of Lolita; eight grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
    Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Vernal Edwards; and brother, Grady Balentine.
    A private family memorial will be held at a later date.
    Memorial contributions may be made to the Calhoun County Humane Society.
    Words of comfort may be shared at www.richardsoncolonial.com.

    Evelyn Naomi Swenson Hunt, of Edna, age 99, passed away Friday, May 9, 2014. She was born in El Campo on July 31, 1914, to Carl and Naomi Swenson.
    She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend who will be dearly missed. She touched the hearts of everyone that knew her.
    Evelyn, is survived by her daughter, Rebecca (Barton) Cherry of San Antonio; son, Wayne (Mary Lou) Hunt of Edna; sister, Irene Lewis of Edna; grandchildren, Stacy (Jeff) Mitchell, Kyle (Laurie) Hunt, Tina (Sean) Ottinger, Heidi Cherry, Jennifer (Justin) Bonnot and Jonathon (Samantha) Anders; great-grandchildren, Haley, Lexi Mitchell, Emma Sophie, Jenna Hunt, Cody Allison Ottinger, Marleigh Markus and BB Bonnot.
    She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Alfred D. Hunt; two sisters and four brothers.

    Addie Davis Lawrence, 95, of Edna passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2014. She was born in Ezzell on Dec. 13, 1918, to the late Rufus Terry and Gracie Reid Miller.
    Addie worked at Mauritz Memorial Hospital Ganado, Edna Hospital and Victoria Orthopedic. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend who will be dearly missed. She touched the hearts of everyone that knew her.

James Aubrey Hollis, 81, of Lolita, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at the Home Place in Ganado.         Born at home in Magee Bend, near what is now San Rayburn Reservoir in East Texas, to Minnie Lee and Eugene Hollis, he lived most of his adult life in Lolita with his wife and best friend for over 60 years, the love of his life, Elsie Rae.

    Bernice Marie Marek, 86, of Louise, passed away on May 6, 2014. She was born on Dec. 17, 1927 to the late Robert and Clara Koenig Kunz. Bernice was a member of the Louise Altar Society and KJZT and was involved in the CCD program for many years.
    She is survived by daughters Bernadette Woytkewicz of League City, Marilyn Jackle of Houston and Debbie Orsak of El Campo, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; sisters Lillian Marek of El Campo and Patricia Turner of Victoria and brother Joseph Kunz of Ganado.
    Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vlad Marek and daughter Margaret Wells.
    Visitation was May 7 at Triska Funeral Home. A Rosary was recited May 8 at St. Procopius Catholic Church in Louise followed by funeral services with Rev. Clement Quainoo officiating. Burial followed at St. Procopius Cemetery.
    Memorials in memory of Bernice Marek may be made to St. Procopious Catholic Church.

Manuel Ramirez, 78, of Edna, passed away on Tuesday, May 6, 2014. He was born in Cuero on Feb. 25, 1936, to the late Doroteo and Martina Moreno Ramirez, Sr.
    He was a track foreman for the railroad.
    He is survived by his wife, Georgie; daughter, Delores Garcia; son, Freddie Ramirez; sister, Maria Cruz Garza; and grandchildren, Lisa Ann Garcia and Jason Rene Garcia.
    Preceded in death are his parents, a sister, Elisa Martinez; brothers, Joe, Doroteo, Jr., Jacinto, Frank Tirso and Frank "Little Frank" Ramirez.
    Visitation will be Thursday, May 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m., at the Slavik Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be Friday, May 9 at 10:30 a.m. at the Slavik Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Michael Petering officiating. Interment will be in the Edna Latin American Cemetery.
    Services are under the directions of Slavik Funeral Home, 209 N. Allen St. Edna, 361-782-2152.

    Paul Muschalek, of Edna, passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at the age of 83.  He was born in LaSalle on Jan. 25, 1931, to the late John and Victoria Jendrzey Muschalek.
    Paul was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He worked at Mercer Construction and G&M Construction for many years. Paul loved being outdoors. He was an avid hunter and gardener. He spent most his days outside in the yard with his wife and dog. He loved his polka music. He was a devout Catholic and member of the St. Agnes Catholic Church. He was a proud member of the Silver Tops coffee club in Hillje and never missed a Tuesday morning with his group. He will be truly missed by all.

    Jimmie Ray Cox, 74, of Riviera passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2014 in Kingsville. He was born Jan. 5, 1940 in Edna to Raymond and Louise Cox.
    Jimmie graduated from George West High School in 1959. He retired from Celanese in 1996. Jimmie was a reserve deputy sheriff in Kleberg County. He enjoyed hunting, shooting and gunsmithing.
    He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Doris Ann Cox of Riviera; son Matt Cox and wife Lori of Corpus Christi; sister Peggy Wiley of Edna; granddaughter Briana Cox of Corpus Christi; and grandson Garrett Cox of Corpus Christi.
    He was preceded in death by his parents.
    Visitation was from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, April 25 at the Turcotte-Piper Mortuary Chapel. Funeral services followed at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Graveside services were at 2 p.m. at St. George Cemetery in George West.
    Services under the direction of Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, Kingsville, 361-592-9394.

Colton Devon Fitzpatrick, 19, of Edna passed away Sunday, April 27, 2014. He was born April 5, 1995, in Victoria.
    Colton was a hardworking, honest and loyal young man who loved his family and friends, he also loved the outdoors whether it be fishing, hunting or hanging out with his friends. He was  helpful to everyone. He had a smile that would light up a room, and the brightest eyes that would melt your heart. Colton had a knack of drawing you in with his personality and would help anyone in need. His heart was huge and he loved unconditionally. He loved his dad, Dee, and his stepmother, Macrina, unconditionally.
    He was planning to pursue a career in Criminal Justice in the fall at Victoria College.

    Vira Lee Nichols Jones, a longtime resident of Nursery and formerly of Ganado, passed away April 28 at the age of 90 in San Marcos.
    A celebration of Vira Lee's life was held on Saturday, May 3 at Crescent Valley Cemetery located at 6679 SH 185 in Victoria County.