Obituaries

Irene E. Meisetschleager

Irene E. Meisetschleager of Moulton passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born in Yoakum  on Dec. 19, 1950 to Florian and Lillie (Mucala) Mozisek. Irene was a faithful member of St.

Lillie Mary Gaertner-Kruse

Lillie Mary Gaertner-Kruse, 95, of Houston, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.  Lillie was born in Moulton  in 1928.

Edward B. Hermes

Edward Bernard Hermes, of Shiner, passed away Friday, February 17, 2023. He was born on November 30, 1963 in Baytown, to the late Edward and Norma Smothers Hermes.

Jovita Gaitan Ramirez

Jovita Gaitan Ramirez, 71, of Gonzales, passed away Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.  Jovita was born Aug. 20, 1951 in San Diego, Texas to Vince P. Gaitan Sr. and Tomasita Hernandez Gaitan.  On Oct. 16, 1971 she married Antonio Ramirez  in Hallettsville. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Michael Polk

Michael Polk of Yoakum passed away on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. He was born in Hallettsville on Jan. 28, 1979 to Mr. David and Lavena Polk. He loved basketball, swimming and football.  He is survived by two children and his wife.  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb.

Rayford ‘Ray’ Alfred Kocian

Rayford “Ray” Alfred Kocian passed away peacefully on Feb. 1, 2023, at his home in Caldwell, Texas. Ray was born on April 18, 1944, to Mike and Ella Kocian at the family home at the family home Yoakum. Ray attended and graduated from Yoakum High School, where he played football and ran track.

Richard ‘Dickie’ Henneke

Richard Henneke, 91, of Hallettsville, passed away Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023.   He was born Oct. 8, 1931, to Fred and Hattie Henneke.   He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville and the Knights of Columbus, Council 2433. Richard married Dorothy Galetka on Nov.

Edward Paul Zapalac

Edward Paul Zapalac, 87, of Hallettsville, passed away Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023.    He was born in Hallettsville, to Eddie and Marcella Drozd Zapalac on Aug. 12, 1935.    He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville.

Patricia Cantu Kelly

Patricia Cantu Kelly of Wimberley, formerly of Victoria and Hallettsville, danced her way to heaven on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2023.  Patricia was 59 years young at the time of her passing.  She was born on Aug. 13, 1963 in Freer, one of seven children, to Ramiro Cantu Sr. and Maria Cantu.

Ronald B. Manning

Ronald Bryan Manning, 78, of Shiner, passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2023. A rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 15 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated following the rosary, with the Rev. Matthew Huehlefeld officiating. Burial will be held at St.