Obituaries

    Carolyn Hines Callis, 57, of Edna, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, in Victoria. She was born June 13, 1957 to Willie and Alice Marie Lawson Hines. She was a health care provider and a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Edna.
    She is survived by her husband, Charles Callis; children Evonne Turner, Patricia Hines, Jerline Hardaway and Brandon Callis; step-children, Renie Callis, Tae, Charlesa and Charles Callis, Jr.; 18 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
    She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother Willie Hines Jr.
    Visitation and funeral services were Dec. 19 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Edna. Burial followed at Hines Cemetery.
    Pallbearers were Vernon Caesar, Desmond Earls, Alvin Caesar, and Ishmael Rogers. Honorary pallbearers were Brandon Callis, Charles Callis, Derrick Hines, and Jamaul Callis.   

    Abigail “Abby” Zapata of Edna passed away Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, at the young age of 25. She was born in Victoria on May 23, 1988 to David Zapata and Esther Garza of Edna.
    She was a loving mother, daughter, sister and aunt who will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
    Abby is survived by her parents; sons, Levi John Trevino and Karter Benny Vasquez; grandfather, John Samora; sister, Angelica Garza and husband Pedro.
    She is preceded in death by her grandmother, Eloisa Samora; and stepfather, Tony Garza.
    Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 16, from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. in the Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel. Mary Garcia will be officiating. Interment will follow in the Latin American Cemetery.
    Pallbearers will be Pedro Garza, Luke Samora, Miguel Nieto, Brandon Figirova, Jonathan Figirova and Greg Rodriguez.

Margaret Kirby Cox Krueger, 81 of San Antonio, formerly of Edna, passed away on Dec. 14, 2013. She was born in Edna on July 12, 1932 to the late Edward Ray and Alma Montgomery Kirby.
    She is survived by her sons, Johnny Cox Jr (Relda) of Indiana, Billy Cox (Charlotte) and Terry Cox, both of San Antonio, one sister Jo Ann Blanar (Alvin) of Edna, and sister-in-law Wilma Kirby of Victoria.
    Margaret was preceded in death by her first husband Johnny Cox, second husband, Wesley Krueger; parents, and brothers, Douglas Kirby, Billy Kirby, Edward Kirby, and Jimmy Kirby.
    The family will receive friends at Slavik Funeral Home on Wednesday, Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. till service time.  Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m., with Rev. Don Hessong officiating.
    Pallbearers are Brent Blanar, Bryan Blanar, Red Kirby, Bruce Airhart, Chad Airhart, and Justin Airhart.
    Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Edna

    Thomas Gayland Weaver passed away in his home at the age of 68. He was born on April 30, 1945 in Ganado to Jerry Thomas Weaver and Magdalene Mavis DeHay-Weaver.
    Tom graduated from Ganado High School, Class of 1963 and retained many of his school friends throughout his life. Tom was a Sergeant in the United States Air Force and served in the Vietnam Conflict and was honorably discharged Sept. 28, 1971. He loved his dog, trips to the bay, his many friends and his car.
    Tom is survived by his sister, Geraldine Gregory of Katy, brother, James L. Weaver and wife Nettie of Sargent. He is also survived by godson, Jeremy Crist and wife Krysta of Ganado, nephews John G. Gregory and wife Kathy of Conroe, Toby C. Weaver of Brazoria and Kevin L. Weaver of Corpus Christi and niece, Tammie Gregory-McClain and husband Todd of Katy; as well as many other extended family members and lifelong friends that loved him dearly.

    W.L. Martin, of Edna passed away Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, at the age of 84. He was born Feb. 1, 1929 in Louise to the late Lee and Emma Chromcak Martin.
    W.L. was an Air Force veteran having served in the Philippine Islands at the end of the war. He was a welder, construction worker, and rancher until retirement. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be missed dearly.
He is survived by his daughters, Carlon Budd of Edna, and Robyn Cihal and husband Dennis of Victoria; he is also survived by his three grandchildren, Jennifer Gregorcyk and husband Will, Jessica Cihal, Jake Cihal and wife Swell; four great-grandchildren, Riley and Reese Gregorcyk and Harper and Whitney Cihal.
    W.L. was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years Edelyne Pryor Martin; parents; and sister, Angie Lindsay.
There was a memorial service on Dec. 14 at Oaklawn Funeral Home with Rev. Bernard Ritchea officiating.

    Jose Jesus Espino, 45, passed away Dec. 5, 2013, from injuries of a auto accident. He was born June 26, 1968 to Teresa and the late Jesus Espino. Jose had his own construction business in the area.
    Survivors include his mother, sisters Ascension Almeda, Teresa Almeda, Esther Gobellan and Belen Bautista; and brothers Arthuro Espino, Martin Espino and Guadalupe Espino; and numerous nieces,nephews and cousins..
    Visitation will be Monday, Dec. 9 at Ganado Funeral Home from 5 to 8 pm., with a rosary at 7 p.m.
    Services will be Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Assumption Catholic Church at 10 a.m., with Rev. Michael Lyons officiating. Interment will follow in the Assumption Catholic Cemetery.
    Services under the direction of Ganado Funeral Home, 800 So. Third St., 361-771-2120.

    John A. Talbert, 74, passed away Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. He was born in the Ganado area Aug. 26, 1939, to the late Jefferson and Tina Talbert. John worked for the Victoria County and Highway Dept. as a foreman for many years.
    He is survived by a sister; Evelyn Carver, nieces, Faye (husband Gary) Katzer, Dee Wienken, Patricia (husband Lonny)Blumke and Diana Daugherty.
    A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m., at the Slavik Funeral Home Chapel in Edna.
    Arrangements under the direction of Slavik Funeral Home, 209 N. Allen St., Edna, 361-782-2152.

    L.E. "Bootie" Robinson, 79, of Edna passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013.
    He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and two children.
    Funeral services were held on Nov. 30 at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Edna, with interment in Mt. Olive Cemetery in Edna.
    Arrangements under the direction of Tracy's M.J. Santellana Funeral Directors, Edna, 361-782-9234.

Leopold "Leo" Joseph Vanek, 80, passed away on Nov. 25, 2013. He was born Oct. 24, 1933 in Ganado to the late Rudolf and Agnes Orsak Vanek. Leo was a gauger.
    He is survived by his wife, Louise Vanek; daughters, Louise (Carl) Smith, Irma (Stephen) Hardin, Virginia (Lewis) Dodson, and Loretta (John) Macha; son, Donnie Vanek; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and his loving dog, Tiny.
    He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Martha Mican, Agnes Oehl, Irma Wenglar, and Marcella Skroloanek; and brother, William Vanek.
    Visitation was at 8:30 a.m. with a Rosary recited at 9:30 a.m. and funeral service at 10 a.m. on Nov. 29 at Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Ganado, with Rev. Michael Lyons officiating. Burial followed at Assumption Cemetery.

    C.L. “Bubba” Browning, of Edna, passed away at his home on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013 at the age of 77, surrounded by his loved ones.
    C.L. “Bubba” was born to Glen and Elizabeth Browning in Buford, Ga. His family moved to Runge when he was young. Bubba graduated from Runge High School in 1955.
    In March of 1965, he married Jane Hammack. They had two children, Hope Browning of Katy and Shane Browning, deceased.
    Bubba was preceded in death by his younger brother, William (Billy) Matula and his beloved son, Shane Browning.
    He is survived by siblings, Phyliss Hammon of Pearland and Jerry Browning of Portland. He is also survived by four children and three grandchildren.
    Bubba’s pleasures in life included hunting, fishing and golfing. He enjoyed a long working career (41 years) at National Starch and Chemical. He retired in 2002.