Obituaries

    Hamlin Ervin “Sonny” Damborsky of Edna passed away Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at the age of 86. He was born Oct.1, 1927 in Needville to the late Charlie and Claudie Damborsky.
    Sonny served in World War II as a Private 1st Class stationed in Italy. He also was a prominent Jackson County farmer. He was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and great-grandfather who cherished his time with his grandchildren, great-grandchild and he will be missed dearly.
    He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Minnie Mae Yendrey Damborsky; son, Michael Damborsky and wife (Anna) daughter, Vicki Kaelin and husband (Jim).He is also survived by his grandchildren, Blake Damborsky (Lindsey Benavides), Whitney Miller (Christopher), Katie Kaelin and Lauren Kaelin; and great-granddaughter, Karsyn Damborsky.

    George Hermes of Edna passed away Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014 at the age of 81. He was born in Hope on March 21, 1932 to the late Matthew Andrew and Josephine Evans Hermes.
    George was a oilfield worker, worked for Houston Pipeline Gas Measure Co and was co-owner of Hermes Tipton Mobil. He also served in the U.S. Army. He loved country life, his cattle, gardening and hunting.
    He is survived by his wife of 61years, Pearl Jean Page Hermes; daughters, Janet Marie Dincans (Darwin) of Edna, Jeannie Webernick (Junior) of Edna, Judy Tobola (Ronny) of Hallettsville and Nancy Joyce Wind (Dr. Fred Lykes) of Victoria; brother, James Hermes of Victoria; grandchildren, Matthew Hudgeons,  Kacy Tipton, Lane Tipton, Jake Tipton, Jason Tobola, Jaime Tobola, Julie Stratton, Megan Craeger and Lindsey Wind; 12 great-grandchildren, as well as many special nieces and nephews.
    George is proceeded in death by his parents and sister, Nellie Janak.

Hilario “Lalo” Figirova, of Edna, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013, at the age of 50.  He was born Aug. 29, 1963, in Ganado to the late Joe and Mary Cavazos Figirova.
    Hilario was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, whom will be missed dearly. He touched the hearts of those who knew him and for that will never be forgotten.
    He is survived by his wife, Christina Figirova of Rosenberg; daughters, Danielle Figirova of San Antonio, Brianna Ortiz of San Antonio, Kimberly Salinas of Rosenberg; sons, Carlos Figirova (Veronica) of Victoria, J.R. Figirova (CeCe) of Alvin and Juan Figirova of Victoria; sisters, Toni Giron of Fayetteville, N.C., Cookie Cruz of El Campo, Maryann Figirova of El Campo and Loretta Hernandez of Edna; brothers, Joe Figirova Jr. of Edna and Tony Molina of Edna; grandchildren, Henry, Javier, James, Alex, Tommy, Kaylie, Maddysin and Avorei.
    Hilario is preceded in death by his parents.

Lawrence Ray Fitzgerald, age 75 of Adamsville, died Friday, Dec. 27, 2013 at his home. Ray was born April 29, 1938 in Wharton, the son of Malcolm O. Fitzgerald and Wilma (Menking) Fitgerald. He married Mary Louise Reynolds on June 27, 1959 in Hunt. Ray lived in Port Lavaca for over 30 years and retired form Alcoa. Upon retiring, Ray and Mary moved to Adamsville and have been part of this community for 20 years. Ray served on the Olivia-Port Alto Volunteer Fire Dept. for many years serving as Fire Chief. He was also Head Scout for The Old Chisolm Trail Riders from Cuero. He was a member of the Boat Club and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Ray loved his horse, “Geronimo” and his dog, “Hannah”.

    Ralph Robinson Sr., 92, of Edna, died Friday, Dec. 27, 2013 at Warm Springs in Victoria. He was born Aug. 10, 1921 in Morales.
    He was a disabled veteran of WWII and a retired electrician. He was a member and deacon at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Edna.
    He is survived by his wife Altha Faye Robinson; son Tracey Dean Robinson; daughters Velma Robinson, Kathy Heard and Michelle “Rusty” Robinson; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
    He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter Linda Faye Robinson; son Ralph Robinson Jr. and brother Alton Robinson.
    Visitation is Thursday, Jan. 2 from 9 to 10:45 a.m. followed by funeral services at 11 a.m. at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Edna with the Rev. W.C. Copeland officiating. Burial will follow at Hines Cemetery.

Michael Whittley, of Edna, passed away Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013 at the age of 52.  He was born in Victoria on Dec. 21, 1961 to Mickey and Mary Lou Whittley of Edna.
    Michael was a loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather and will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He was in the oil and gas industry and a truck driver for many years.  
    He is survived by his wife, Terri Ashley Whittley; sons, Cory Whittley, Timothy Whittley and Matthew Whittley; daughters, Candace Whittley and Tiffany Whittley; brothers, David, Donald, Ray and Bobby Whittley; sister, Debbie Koudela; grandchildren, Trevor Schaffer, Kilea Schaffer, Avery Schaffer and Karlee Card; numerous nieces and nephews.
    Michael is preceded in death by his parents, and grandparents; Delbert Lynn Whittley, Adeline Whittley and Lottie Davis.

    Mary Laughter Frels, 102 years, passed away Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. She was born Dec. 20, 1911, in Edna to the late Gordon and Carrie Fisher Laughter. Mary taught school in the Industrial School District for 26 years. She was a lifetime Methodist and member of the First United Methodist Church in Edna and Lolita Methodist Church. She was a member of Daughters of the Republic of Texas, United Methodist Women of Edna, Eastern Star, Ladies Auxiliary of VFW 8556, Daughters of the American Revolution, the National Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century, United Daughters of the Confederacy and a Real Granddaughter of the Confederacy.
    Mary is survived by her daughter, Rev. Suzanne Brantley and husband Paul; sons, Don B. Frels, and Pierce Frels and wife Karen, brother John G. Laughter; seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

    Hilda Pustejovsky Kubena, 93 of El Campo, passed away on Dec. 25, 2013. She was born on Jan. 13, 1920 in Hillje to Joseph and Mary Orsak Pustejovsky. Hilda was a seamstress at Isaacson & Carrico before she retired.
    She is survived by her daughter Shirlee Zajicek and husband Carl; grandchildren Glenn Zajicek, Cheryl Zajicek, Denise Klaus and husband David; great-grandson Cody Klaus; and special friends Sandra Price and Belinda Elledge.
    Hilda was preceded in death by her parents; husband Edwin Kubena; brothers Leon Pustejovsky and Jerry Pustejovsky; and sister Emma Enloe.
    A Rosary will be recited at 2:30 pm on Friday, Dec. 27 at St. Philip Catholic Church in El Campo with the funeral service immediately following at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Albert Yankey officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Memorial Park.

    Emma Dean Glass Kuhlman, 72, passed away Saturday Dec. 21, 2013. She was born Nov. 11, 1941, in Halifax, Va. to the late Lee Roy and Eva Glass. Emma was a nurse for many years and an excellent home maker.
    She is survived by her husband, Lee, daughters, Lori Kuhlman and Annette Chanek and husband Michael; and son, Berry Kuhlman Jr. and wife Cindy; grandchildren, Dillon Kuhlman and Emalyn Chanek, brothers, Lee Glass and Teddy Glass, and sister, Levean Glass.
    Emma is preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters, Annie Glass and Louise Glass.
    Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 27 at 10 a.m. at St. James Lutheran Church in Ganado with Rev. Chris Heinold officiating.
    Services under the direction of Ganado Funeral Home, 800 So. Third St., 361-771-2120

    Lealon Callis, 80, of Edna died Dec. 7, 2013. He was born on May 29, 1933. He was born May 29, 1933 to Henry and Rosetta Robinson Callis. He was a farmer and rancher and a member of Faith Temple Church of God in Christ in Edna.
    He is survived by his wife Lovell Callis; daughter Belinda Adams; three granddaughters, two grandsons, 13 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends.
    He was preceded in death by his parents; twin sisters; brothers, and step-daughter Audrey Hines.
    Funeral services were held Dec. 21 at Faith Temple COGIC with interment following in Kerr Cemetery.
    Pallbearers were Andrew Jordan Jr., Tommy Brigham, Eldridge Morris, Markabrian Williams, Kimmitt Brigham, Gary Todd, and Jerry Todd. Honorary pallbearers were Rev. Rufus Diggs, Rev. E.C. Stewart, Cqulin Hubert, Donald R. Williams Jr., and Ervin Yates.