Obituaries

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Robert Branham Sr., 86, of Edna passed away on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013. He was born on Sept. 1, 1927 to the late Walter and Cecil Branham. He was a long-time farmer and rancher of Jackson County.
    He is survived by his wife Elaine Branham; sons Robert Branham Jr. and Barry Branham; sisters Delores Hines and Sharon Holloway; and one grandchild.
    He is preceded in death by his parents; and brother W. L. Branham.
    Visitation was Oct. 29 from 5-7 p.m. at Slavik Funeral Home in Edna. Services were Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. at First Methodist Church, Edna, with Rev. Bernard Ritchea officiating. Interment followed at Flourney Cemetery.
    The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the First Methodist Church in Edna, or American Heart Association.
    Services are under the direction of Slavik Funeral Home, 209 N. Allen St., 361-782-2152.

    Dorothy Lorenzen, of Cypress formally of Edna, passed away Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, at the age of 83.  She was born July 23, 1930, in Edna, to the late Louis D. and Lenora Simicek Korenek.
    Dorothy was a housewife for many years. She was also a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be dearly missed.
    Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Drucilla Wright and husband Nathan of Houston; sons, Mark Lorenzen and wife Regina of Katy and Gregory Lorenzen of Houston; brother, L.J. Korenck of Edna; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and former daughter-in-law Vickie Langford.
    Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Gerald Andrew Lorenzen.
    Visitation was Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 1-3 p.m., at Oaklawn Funeral Home in Edna. A rosary was recited at 3 p.m. with Rev. Michael Petering officiating. Graveside services followed at Memory Gardens Cemetery of Edna.

    Edwin Arnold Macek, 62, passed away Oct. 28, 2013. Born March 17, 1951, in El Campo, to the late Frank and Martha Macek, Edwin worked in the oilfield for over 20 years.
    He is survived by sons Eric Macek and wife Amy, Clint Macek and wife Melanie; sisters Karen Ham and husband Butch, Joyce Faglie and husband Larry; brothers Frank Macek, Jr., Clarence Macek and wife Nit, and Allan Macek; a granddaughter and a very caring caregiver, Laura.
    Preceded in death are his parents; a brother, Charles Ray Macek and a sister, Ada Martin.
    Memorial services will be held Friday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. at the Slavik Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Andrew Schroer officiating.
    Family suggests memorial contribution be sent to the Disabled American Veterans in Victoria.
    Services are under the direction of Slavik Funeral Home, 209 N. Allen St. Edna, 361-782-2152.

    Mary Gerdes, of Edna, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013 at the age of 97.  She was born in Ingomar,  Miss., on March 22, 1916, to the late Henry Wade and Hollis Gray Nowlin.
    Mary was a retired housekeeper and shared her love of playing cards and dominoes with her family and friends.
    Mary is survived by her daughters, JoAnn Zajicek of Ganado, Elaine Smith and husband Jerry of Edna; sisters, Gladys Green of Edna, Alene Braddock of Edna; nine grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; and many loving family members.
    Mary is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joseph Gerdes; daughter, Linda Ermis; great-grandson, Hardy Riggs; sisters, Ida Brieten and Addie Dittrick.

Antonio “Tony” Gonzales, of Edna, passed away Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013 at the age of 85. He was born Nov. 7, 1927, in Pesqueria Nuevo Léon, Mexico, to the late Felipe and Alicia Gonzales.
    Tony was a cattle rancher and hay baler for many years. He will be missed by all that knew him.
    He is survived by his wife, Hortencia Ybarra Gonzales; daughter, Mary Alice Betts and husband Gary of Edna; sons, Johnny A. Gonzales and Bernie, Benny Gonzales and Dorney, Joe Manuel Gonzales and Dora, all of Edna; sisters, Maria Cortez of Monterey, Mexico and Socorro Briseño of Lancaster, Calif.; brother, Jose Garza of Monterey, Mexico; 10 grandchildren, ten and five great-grandchildren.
    He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Anita Ana Sertuche Gonzales; son, Joe Lewis Gonzales; sister Lupita Castillo; brother, Simon Garza and granddaughter.

    Donald Asbeck, of Edna, passed away Friday, Oct. 25 at the age of 56.  He was born in Houston on Dec. 19, 1956 to William L. Asbeck and Wanda Apple Asbeck.
    He was a retired mechanic in the automotive business for many years. He was also a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be missed dearly.
    Donald is survived by his mom, Wanda J. Asbeck of Edna; daughter, Ann Asbeck of Houston; step-sons, Brian Asbeck of Dallas and John Carr of Houston; step-grandson, Riley Asbeck; as well as two ex-wives, Janice Gadbois and Tatti Cheek.
    Donald is preceded in death by his father, William L. Asbeck .
    A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 28 at Oaklawn Funeral Home in Edna with a burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery of Edna. Rev. Bernard Ritchea will be officiating.
    Arrangements are under the direction of Oaklawn Funeral Home in Edna. 361-782-2221.

    Reuben A. Kramer, Sr. 91, of Ganado, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013. He was born May 9, 1922 to the late John and Louise Kramer of the Little Kentucky Community. He served in the Air Force from 1942 - 1945. Reuben was a longtime farmer and rancher in Jackson County and a lifelong member of the St. James Lutheran Church in Ganado.
    He is survived by his son; Lynn and wife Carol Kramer of Ganado, brother; Johnny and wife Laverne Kramer of Hope, Ark.; 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death are his parents, his wife, Oma Lee, sons; Richard Kramer and Reuben Kramer, Jr.; sisters Elsie, Pearl and Irene Kramer; and brothers Lonnie, Alois and Harold Gene Kramer.

    James "Jimmy" Johnson of Ganado passed away on Oct. 13, 2013. He was born on Sept. 1, 1957 in Lumberton, Miss. to A.R. and Nettie Marie Johnson.
    Jimmy is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mona Johnson of Ganado; father A.R. Johnson of Garwood; brother Alton Ray Johnson of Ganado; niece Fallon Lee Hartfield of Purvis, Miss.; and numerous friends and family.
    Jimmy was preceded in death by his mother Nettie Marie Johnson.
    Visitation was Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. at Triska Funeral Home in El Campo. Services were Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. at Triska Funeral Home with Rev. Rick Dubroc officiating. Burial followed at Leher cemetery in Garwood.
    Pallbearers were Craig Crim, Larry Nors, Derek Kuyrkendall, Rick Shock, Bruce White and Brian Kortz. Honorary pallbearers were Pete "Pistol" Richter, Austin Parrott, and Ace Galindo.
    Memorial donations in memory of Jimmy may be made to Wounded Warriors Weekend or C.A.S.T. for Kids.