Misc. Yoakum Obits.
(Collected from area newspapers by Lorene Coldewey Leister and Rex Moore, Jr.)
(Compiled by Rex Moore, Jr. - Jan. 2011)
Yoakum – Agnes Abernathy, 93, of Yoakum, died Wednesday, April 3, 2002.
She was born Aug. 7, 1908, to the late Robert H. and Em Robertson Abernathy. She graduated from University of Texas and was a schoolteacher for Yoakum ISD, retiring after 50 years of service. She was a member of Texas Ex Teacher Association, Philomathic Club, La Mancha Bridge Club, Friday’s Bridge Club and Holy Communion Episcopal Church.
Survivors: brother, Joe Abernathy of Burnett.
Preceded in death by: parents.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. tonight at Buffington Funeral Home chapel.
Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Oak Grove Cemetery, the Rev. Gary Gooch officiating. Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 361-293-2333.
He was born Oct. 17, 1912, in Concrete, to the late Henry John and Claudia Prewett Barth. He was a self-employed dairy farmer and rancher. He was a Lutheran.
Survivors: wife, Wilma Frels Barth; daughters, Faye Barth Mathews of Bedford and JoAnn McDonald of Alvin; brothers, Dr. Walter C. Barth of Corpus Christi and Dr. John Henry Barth of Yorktown and four grandchildren.
Services: 2 p.m. today, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, the Rev. Tim Van Antwerp officiating.
Burial: Nelms Cemetery in Concrete, Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 293-2333.
Pallbearers: Dr. Robert W. Barth, Tom McDonald, Dr. Craig L. McDonald, Ashley Alford, Dwight Alford, Regan John Mathhews and Dr. William H. Barth.
Honorary pallbearers: A.C. Baylor, Joe B. Price, Sr., John Mathews and T.L. McDonald.
Memorials: Lutheran Social Services
Wilma Frels Barth died in Lake Jackson, Texas on May 3, 2004, after a short illness. She was born in DeWitt County to Willie and Bertha Rathkamp Frels on June 26, 1916. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Leonard G. Barth on July 21, 1995, her parents, her brother, Oscar Frels, who died in childhood, and by her brother, Edmund Frels, on February 26, 2002. She is survived by her sister, Norma Frels Steinmann of Yoakum, her two daughters and their husbands, Faye Barth and John Mathews of Bedford, Texas and JoAnn Barth and Thomas L. McDonald of Alvin, Texas. She is also survived by her grandchildren Dwight and Ashley Mathews Alford of Flower Mound, Texas, Regan and Sarah Mathews of Wichita, Kansas, Tom McDonald of Rosharon, Texas, Craig L. McDonald, M.D. of Lake Jackson, Texas and Darlene Smith of Richwood, Texas. She was the proud and devoted great-grandmother of five great grandchildren, Colin and Brynn Alford, Lauren and Coleman Mathews and Hannah Rose McDonald. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins and her extended family and life long friends. She was a devoted life long member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Yoakum. Mrs. Barth and her husband were farmers, ranchers and dairymen at Concrete, Texas until Mr. Barth retired at age 72.
Funeral services for Mrs. Barth will be held on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 at 2:30 p.m. at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Yoakum, Texas with burial at the Nelms Cemetery at Concrete, Texas. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 4, 2002 at the Buffington Funeral Home in Yoakum, Texas. Pallbearers will be Tom McDonald, Dr. Craig L. McDonald, Darlene Smith, Dwight Alford, Ashley Alford, Reagan John Mathews, Edwin Steinmann, (and) Dr. Robert Barth. Honorary pallbearers are Thomas L. McDonald and John Mathews.
Memorials may be made to the Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
Ima Baylor, 91, of Yoakum, passed away Sunday, June 22 (2003).
She was born June 20, 1912 in Concrete to Armin Leister and Pearl (Manning) Leister. She was a housewife and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Yoakum Community Hospital Auxiliary and enjoyed gardening and quilting.
She is survived by: son, James G. Baylor, Kooskia, Idaho; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by: parents; husband Sidney Gail Baylor on June 14, 1937; son Werner D. Baylor.
A rosary was held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1 at Buffington Funeral Home.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 2, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial followed at Nelms Cemetery in Concrete.
Pallbearers: Anton Stary, Norman Manning, Leon Honc, Johnnie Patek, Shane Martin and Jimmy Martin.
Memorials: St. Joseph Catholic Church or charity of donor’s choice.
Yoakum – Homer Lee Berger, 91, of Yoakum, died Friday, Oct. 12, 2001.
He was born Dec. 1, 1909, in DeWitt County, to the late Fred and Ida Rollin Berger. He was a retired shipping department supervisor at Tex Tan Leather Co. and a Methodist.
Survivors: wife, Bernice Dickinson Berger; daughters, Doris Jean Schlenkler of Victoria and Linda Berger of Eagle Lake; sons, Homer F. Berger, Clayton Berger and Jimmy Berger, all of Yoakum, and Bobby Berger of Palacios: sister, Maudie Christian of Conroe; brothers, Roland Berger of Victoria and Douglas Berger of Nacogdoches; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Preceded in death by: parents; three sisters; four brothers; and one grandson, Blain Berger.
Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Buffington Funeral Home chapel, the Revs. Jeff Berger and Buck Ritchea officiating.
Burial will be at County Line Cemetery. Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 361-293-2333.
Memorials: Donor’s choice.
BUENGER, EVELYN
Yoakum – Evelyn Buenger, 78, of Yoakum, died Thursday, Nov. 21, 1996.
She was born March 9, 1918 in Lavaca County to the late Elo Sr. and Linda Richter Buenger. Miss Buenger was a computer programmer for 40 years at TexTan Leather Co. She was a member of Order of Eastern Star Chapter 282, Hermann Sons Lodge No. 18, and Lutheran Church Sunday School Superintendent – W.E.L.C.A.
Survivors: sister, Lorene Leister of Yoakum; and brother, Elo Buenger, Jr. of Kemah.
Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Rev. Tim Van Antwerp officiating.
Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery. Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 293-2333.
Memorials: Holy Cross Lutheran Church or Yoakum Community Hospital.
Yoakum – Services for Evelyn Buenger, 78, who died Thursday, will be 2 p.m. today at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, the Rev. Tim Van Antwerp officiating.
Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery. Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 293-2333.
Pallbearers: Victor Coldewey, Eldred Cooper, Clarence Coldewey, Bob Harbers, Eddie Huffmaster, Jay Thigpen, Leonard Steinmann and K.T. Moore.
Memorials: Holy Cross Lutheran Church or Yoakum Community Hospital.
BUENGER, MRS. EMIL H. (ERNA)
Mrs. Emil Buenger Buried Monday – Mrs. Emil H. (Erna) Buenger, 78, resident of Yoakum for 58 years, died at 12:08 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 13, 1971) in a Yoakum nursing home.
Mrs, Buenger was born March 14, 1893 in Ellinger, Texas.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday at Buffington Funeral Home chapel with Rev. D.I. Dolton officiating.
Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Elo Buenger, Charles Buenger, Charles Lange, Willie Lamprecht, Emil Coldewey and Ernest Leister.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. James B. Taylor of Yoakum; stepmother, Mrs. Fritz Lange of San Antonio, Alfred Lange of Burkburnett; four sisters, Mrs. Jake Wermli and Mrs. Leo Green, both of San Antonio, Mrs. Otto Fenner and Mrs. Paul Hoffmann of Karnes City.
The residents and employees of the home are saddened by the recent death of Mrs. Erna Buenger. She had lived in the Nursing Home since December 14, 1967. She was loved by everyone who was associated with her. She was concerned with those about her, and she always made an effort to please everyone, no matter how badly she was feeling. Our sympathy goes out to her daughter, Mary Taylor, who was deeply devoted in caring for her mother.
Yoakum – Mrs. Linda Buenger, 73, of 107 Houston St., died at 5:10 p.m. (Oct. 13, 1967) in a local hospital.
Born in Shiner Nov. 5, 1893, Mrs. Buenger was a life-long resident of Yoakum. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Rev. D.I. Dolton officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of Buffington Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Rex Moore, Jr., Clarence Coldewey, Jr., Elo Buenger III, Karl Buenger, James B. Taylor and Clifton Long.
Surviving are her husband, Elo A. Buenger, Sr.; two daughters, Miss Evelyn Buenger and Mrs. Lorene Coldewey, all of Yoakum; a son, Elo Buenger, Jr. of Houston; two sisters, Mrs. Nellie Barre of Yoakum and Mrs. Frieda Shanklin of Gonzales; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
COLDEWEY, GEARLINE C.
Yoakum – Gearline “Dean” Capper Coldewey, 78, of Yoakum, died Friday, April 3, 1998.
She was born May 29, 1919, in Cuero to the late Riley and Pearl Bennett Capper. She was a homemaker and Methodist.
Survivors: husband, Elroy Coldewey; niece, Iris Strey of Dallas; and nephew, Russell Capper of Houston.
Preceded in death by: brother, Barney Capper
Family visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Buffington Funeral Home chapel.
Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, the Rev. Bernard Ritchea officiating.
Burial will be at Restland Cemetery. Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 293-2333.
Memorials: Warm Springs Rehabilitation System or donor’s choice.
Yoakum – Services for Gearline “Dean” Capper Coldewey, 78, of Yoakum, who died Friday, will be at 10 a.m. today at First United Methodist Church, the Rev. Bernard Ritchea officiating.
Burial will be at Restland Cemetery. Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 293-2333.
Pallbearers: Carter Strey, Mike Reinhardt, Reagan Strey, Donnie Strey, Lee Menning, Carson Capper and Stanley Kuester.
Honorary pallbearers: Cecil Windsor, Ernest Kuester and C.B. Jacobs.
Memorials: Warm Springs Rehabilitation System or donor’s choice.
Yoakum – Byron Dixon passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2001 at the age of 89 years. He was born in Whitton Community, Van Zandt County, Texas on March 19, 1911. He was the youngest of four children born to William Hearn Dixon and Lucy Eunice Blassingame Dixon.
Byron grew up in Mabank, Texas. Mr. Dixon entered his lifetime career in the funeral business in 1931.
Mr. Dixon came to Yoakum in 1946 to work for Mr. L. D. Buffington at Buffington Funeral Home. When Mr. Buffington died, Mr. Dixon purchased the funeral home from Mrs. Buffington in 1948. He later built funeral homes in Shiner and Gonzales. Mr. Dixon retired from the funeral business in 1981.
He was preceded (in death) by his parents (and) first wife Pauline Barton Dixon 2/15/80. He then married Pally Wagener Dixon who died on 12/10/2000. Also his brother, William Hester Dixon.
He is survived by step-sons: Dr. Jimmy Barton, Ralph Seidel; step-daughter: Phyllis Fields; nephew: the Rev. Bill Jones; niece: Lucia Street: numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; sisters: Lena E. Jones and Mae Niedermeyer.
Funeral services for Byron will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 19, 2001 at Buffington Funeral Home chapel. Visitation will be on Thursday, January 18, 2001 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Buffington Funeral Home chapel. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials: donor’s choice.
FINDEISEN, EDGAR F.
Yoakum – Edgar F. Findeisen, 79, of Yoakum, died Wednesday, April 3, 2002.
He was born Aug. 11, 1922, in Moulton, to the late Charles and Alma Rippen Findeisen. He was a retired belt department foreman for Tex Tan and a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. He was a former member of the Yoakum Volunteer Fire Department and of the Sweet Home American Legion. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps. veteran having served in World War II.
Survivors: wife, Rosa Lee Tolbert Findeisen; daughter, Gail Findeisen Wenz of San Antonio; sons, Charles Findeisen of Katy and James Findeisen of Yoakum; brothers, Elo Findeisen of New Braunfels and Calvin Findeisen of Corpus Christi; and four grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: sisters, Lorene Riske and Marilyn McCord and parents.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. tonight at Buffington Funeral Home chapel.
Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, the Rev. Gary Goodson officiating.
Entombment will be at Yoakum Restland Mausoleum. Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 361-293-2333.
Memorials: Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Yoakum Volunteer Fire Department or donor’s choice.
Yoakum – Sybil Hermes, 82, of Yoakum, died Monday, Jan. 21, 2002.
She was born Aug. 13, 1919, in Yoakum, to the late Charlie and Ima Pagel Kaiser Vick. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church. She was a member and officer of the Literary Club and Garden Club. She was a member of the Lavaca County Extension Club, and Lydia Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church.
Survivors: sons, Leo “Butch” Hermes and Hayne Hermes, both of Yoakum; brothers, Sydney Kaiser and Kyle Kaiser, both of Yoakum; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: husband, Raymond Hermes; and parents.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at Buffington Funeral Home chapel.
Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, the Revs. Richard Bowden and Charles Sonnier officiating.
Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 361-293-2333.
Memorials: Yoakum Volunteer Fire Department of donor’s choice.
KAISER, GLADYS B.
Gladys Blank Kaiser, 68, of Yoakum, Stratton Community, died March 25, 1999.
She was born Nov. 16, 1930, at her family home in DeWitt County near Dreyer, to the late Henry John and Minnie Hartmann Blank.
She ranched with her husband, and was a retired accountant from the Texas Department of Public Transportation, where she worked for 27 years. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Yoakum, W.E.L.C.A., a past Sunday School teacher, and V.C.S. superintendent, past secretary for Boy Scouts of America, past president and member of Progressive Study Club and past member of PTA. She served on various church committees, choir member and was a volunteer for many civic organizations, included the Yoakum Heritage Museum, Road to Recovery Program and American Cancer Society. She was a Paul Harris Fellow and was active in the Walk to Emmaus Community.
Survivors: husband, Sydney David Kaiser of Yoakum; daughters and son-in-laws, Corliss Lynn and Owen Smith, Sydney Kay and Michael Platis, all of Austin; son and daughter-in-law, David Keith and Susie McGrew Kaiser of Redmond, Wash.; grandchildren: Jennifer and Courtney Steinmann; Nathan, Eryn, Ailey and Clayton Kaiser; Rachel and Brett Kaiser Platis; sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and George Doolan of Brazoria; as well as Nyles Steinmann of Yoakum, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.
Preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Henry John, Jr., Warner and Wilbert Blank; and sister, Lorene Hurta.
Visitation will be held at 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Buffington Funeral Home in Yoakum.
Commital Service at 10 a.m. Saturday at Restland Memorial Park Mausoleum. Memorial celebration at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Yoakum with Pastors Tim Van Antwerp and Iidiko Rigney officiating.
Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, W.E.L.C.A., American Cancer Society, Hospice of South Texas or donor’s choice.
Pallbearers: Nephews: James Blank, Kenneth Blank, Wilbert Blank, Jr., Ronald Blank, David Doolan and Garland Hurta.
Yoakum – Former Yoakum resident James Elo Leister, 83, of Carrollton, died Wednesday morning (April 22, 1987) in a Carrollton nursing home following a long illness.
He was born Nov. 29, 1903, in Lavaca County, to the late Armin and Pearl Manning Leister. Mr. Leister was retired from the Tex Tan Leather Company and was the former owner/operator of the Concrete Cotton Gin.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Buffington Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Gabriel Mensah officiating.
Burial will follow the services in Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of Buffington Funeral Home.
Surviving are three sisters, Mrs. Ima Baylor of Yoakum; Mrs. Ethel Jones of Gonzales; Mrs. Henrietta Reader of Kenedy; and a brother, Ernest “Buddy” Leister, Sr. of Yoakum.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Dora Kuchler; and a brother, Emil Leister.
Yoakum – Leona Lorene Leister, age 91, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born Aug. 16, 1919 in Yoakum to Elo A. and Linda Richter Buenger.
She was baptized on March 21, 1920 by Pastor Wolfsdorf and was confirmed on Sept. 10, 1933 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church by Pastor Paul Bechter.
Lorene graduated from Yoakum High School in 1936. She worked for TexTan, Elwood Gaus (Attorney), Pietch’s Packing Company and Texas Highway Department; was a member of the Order of Eastern Star No. 282 and Hermann Sons Lodge No. 90 for many years; a member of Friends of the Library and American Legion Auxiliary; served as a “Pink Lady” at Yoakum Community Hospital for 20 years; lifelong member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, having served as a member of the Church Council, a Sunday School teacher, president of Women of the Church and as a choir member.
Survivors: daughters, Linda Moore (Rex) and Delores “Dede” Huffmaster (Eddie), both of Victoria; son, Clarence “Bubba” Coldewey (Donna) of Hallettsville; nephews, Elo Buenger III (Carolyn) of Angleton and Karl H. Buenger (Connie) of League City; niece, Charlene Ehlers of Seguin; grandchildren, Debbie Barley (Mike) of Houston, Julie Thigpen (Jay), Linda Dentler (Bryan), Laura Thigpen (Jason), all of Victoria, John Coldewey (Liza) of Austin, and Kurt Coldewey (Rachael) of Sealy.
Preceded in death by: parents, first husband, Clarence Coldewey (1948); second husband, Ernest “Buddy” Leister (2001); a brother, Elo A. Buenger, Jr. (2006); and a sister, Lillie Evelyn Buenger (1996).
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on
Thursday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church with Pastor J. W. Mielke officiating.
Burial will be at Oak Grove
Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Hospice of South Texas, Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements by Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home in
Yoakum, 361-293-5656.
Yoakum – Lillian Linder, 81, of Yoakum, died Tuesday, May 5, 1998.
She was born Aug. 18, 1916, in Yoakum, to the late Alfred and Anna Koehler Steinmann. She was owner of Linder’s Seed Store. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and was a former Sunday School teacher. She was a sponsor of the Luther League, was active in PTA and Yoakum Garden Gate Club. She was a charter member of Pilot Club and was a former member and director of the Yoakum Chamber of Commerce.
Survivors: daughter, Shirley J. Bland of Yoakum; sons, Oscar Ray Linder of Yoakum and Dr. Donald E. Linder of Ponca City, Okla.; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: husband, Oscar W. Linder; sister, Alfreda Petering; and brother, Leroy Steinmann.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Buffington Funeral Home chapel.
Services will be 3 p.m. Friday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, the Rev. Tim Van Antwerp officiating.
Burial will be at County Line Cemetery, Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 293-2333.
Memorials: Holy Cross Lutheran Church or donor’s choice.
McCARTY, BETTY J. L.
Yoakum – Betty J. Lobnitz McCarty, 74, of Yoakum, died Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2001.
She was born Oct. 20, 1926, in Norwood, Ohio, to the late Frank E. and Ivy Scott Lobnitz. She was a retired secretary at the Calhoun County Texas Dept. of Health, having served 24 years and was a Baptist. She was a member of the Port Lavaca VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
Survivors: husband, Reid McCarty; daughters, Marsha Bordosky of Katy and Patricia Kalisek of Port Lavaca; son, David McCarty of Yoakum; sister, Margaret Muller of Cincinnati, Ohio; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: parents; and brother, Frank Lobby.
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at Buffington Funeral Home chapel.
Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Green Lawn Gardens Cemetery in Port Lavaca, the Rev. Albert Warnken officiating. Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 361-293-2333.
Memorials: donor’s choice.
McGILL, W.H., Jr.
Yoakum – W. H. “Bill” McGill, Jr., 79, of Yoakum, died Saturday, March 29, 1997.
He was born March 3, 1918, in Smith County to the late William H. Sr. and Mary Allen McGill. He retired in 1979 as a railroad engineer with Southern Pacific Railroad after 38 years of service and then served as Justice of the Peace in Lavaca County for 12 years. He graduated from San Marcos Academy and also attended Southwestern University. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner. Mr. McGill was a member of the administration board of First United Methodist Church, Yoakum Masonic Lodge No. 662 where he was awarded the Golden Trowel in 1995, Hochheim Lodge No. 298, Moulton Lodge No. 298 AM&FM, Yoakum Chapter No. 282 Order of the Eastern Star. He was a past director of Nueces County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, past chairman of the administrative board of Trinity United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi, Nueces Sheriff’s Posse Youth Rodeo, and past president of Yoakum Rotary Club. In 1987 he served as District Deputy for Masonic District No. 34 and in 1985, he was inducted into the South Central Texas Hall of Fame for his many years of service in South Central Texas semi-pro baseball.
Survivors: wife of 57 years, Hazel Marie Pye McGill; daughter, Sue Iverson of Victoria; sons, Patrick Allen McGill of Yoakum and Michael E. McGill of Hempstead; sisters, Mary Agnes Kuester of Yoakum, Edith Reuthinger of Laredo and Carolyn Johnson of Beeville; three grandchildren, six step-grandchildren and eight step-great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: parents; step-father, Lawrence Stanley; and brother, Evans Allen McGill.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at Buffington Funeral Home.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church, the Rev. Bernard P. Ritchea officiating.
Masonic graveside services will be at the County Line Cemetery, under the auspices of Yoakum Masonic Lodge. Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 293-2333.
Memorials: Scottish Rite Hospital or donor’s choice.
McMASTER, RALPH E.
Yoakum – Ralph E. McMaster, 79, of Yoakum, died Thursday, Nov. 16, 1995.
He was born May 25, 1916, in Yoakum to the late Robert Estel and Susie May McMaster. He was a World War II veteran with the finance department of the U.S. Army, attached to the Air Corps at Foster Field in Victoria and Matagorda Island. Prior to joining the Army, he was district bookkeeper for the Highway Department. He was owner and operator of the Firestone Store in Yoakum for 20 years, and then taught eighth-grade social studies at Yoakum Independent School District for 16 years. Mr. McMaster was active in Boy Scouts and other community organizations. He was a member of First Baptist Church.
Survivors: wife of 55 years, Ruth Darter McMaster; sons, R.E. McMaster, Jr. of Marble Falls and Patrick L. McMaster of Houston; sisters, Kitty Dryer of Victoria and Josephine Kaspar of Shiner; and eight grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: sisters, Mildred Stinle and Estelle Neuhaus; and brother, Marshal McMaster.
Family visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Buffington Funeral Home.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, the Rev. Richard Bowden officiating.
Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 293-2333.
Memorial: First Baptist Church Memorial Fund or Bluebonnet Youth Ranch.
Yoakum – Leona Dreyer Moore, 87, of Yoakum, died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000.
She was born Oct. 8, 1912 in Gonzales County to the late Ed and Louisa Koenning Dreyer. She was a homemaker and a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
Survivors: daughters, Melba Olin of Victoria and Dorothy Moffatt of Houston; and one grandchild.
Preceded in death by: husband, Ras Moore; parents; sisters Ella Wendt and Minnie Dreyer; brothers, Eddie Dreyer and Willie Dreyer.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, the Rev. Gary Goodson officiating.
Burial will be at Shiner City Cemetery, Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 361-293-2333.
Pallbearers: Lynn Moore, Ronnie Moore, Ned Dreyer, Gene Dreyer, Marvin Adamek and Gilbert Adamek. Honorary pallbearers; nieces and nephews.
Memorials: Holy Cross Lutheran Church or donor’s choice.
Yoakum – Mrs. W.S. (Frieda) Moore, 93, of Yoakum, died at 5:15 a.m. Saturday (March 10, 1984) in a local nursing home after a long illness.
Born Jan. 20, 1891 in Fayette County, she had been a longtime resident of the Yoakum area. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Yoakum.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church, Yoakum, with the Rev. W.W. Connally officiating. Burial will be in the Hochheim Cemetery.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Anna Marie Indorf of Louisiana; a son, Kenneth T. Moore of Alice; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: her husband, W.S. Moore, Sr. and three sons, Ras Moore, Rex Moore and W.S. Moore, Jr.
Yoakum – Funeral services for Rex W. Moore, age 55 years, will be held at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, 1974, at Buffington Funeral Home chapel, Rev. W. George McWilliams officiating. Internment in Hochheim Cemetery. Graveside rites conducted by members of Hochheim Masonic Lodge No. 182.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice will be appreciated.
Yoakum – William Seals Moore, age 57 years, 4 months and 17 days, passed away at his home on Hopkins St. Saturday, Jan. 18 (1947), at 3:15 a.m.
Funeral services were held at his home Sunday, Jan 19, at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. J.J. Slone of Yoakum and Rev. J.T. Jenkins of Gonzales officiating. Burial was at Hochheim Cemetery under the direction of Buffington Funeral Home.
The deceased was born Sept. 1, 1889 in Dyersburg, Tennessee. Mr. Moore came to Gonzales County with his parents, the late Mr. & Mrs. R.I. Moore in 1891. Mr. Moore was a successful farmer in the Dreyer Community until Aug. 1943 when he and his family moved to Yoakum. In July 1911, he married to Miss Elfrieda Klohs. The union was blessed with five children.
Mr. Moore leaves to mourn his death his wife, Mrs. W.S. Moore of Yoakum; one daughter, Mrs. Johnnie Indorf of Donaldsonville, La.; and sons Ras Moore of Dreyer, and Rex and Kenneth Moore of Yoakum. One son, W.S. Moore, Jr., preceded him in death. He also leaves four grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.
Pallbearers were Arno Rudolph, G.W. Turk, Eldon Wendt, Walter Wendel, R.L. Allert and E.H. Dreyer.
Yoakum – Funeral services for William Seals Moore, aged 57 years, 4 months and 17 days, who passed from this life at his home at 309 Hopkins St. at 3:15 a.m. Saturday, January 18th, 1947, will be held at the home at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan19th, with Rev. Joe Slone, Pastor of the Baptist Church of Yoakum and Rev. Jenkins, Pastor of the Baptist Church of Gonzales officiating. Burial will be in the Hochheim Cemetery under the direction of Buffington Funeral Home.
Yoakum – Mary Pesek, 83, of Yoakum, died Friday, Oct. 8, 1999.
She was born Nov. 15, 1915, in Moulton to the late Frank and Frances Dusek Vesely. She was a homemaker and was a sales clerk for Montgomery Ward. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, president of KJZT, Catholic Daughters of America, St. Joseph Altar Society, Prayer Line member of KJT, and was a member of Sweet Home American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and volunteered at local nursing homes.
Survivors: sons, Jerome Pesek, Jr. of Spring, James Pesek of Katy and Dan Pesek of Houston; sisters, Agnes Baros and Frances Sylvester, both of Yoakum; brother, Frank Vesely of New Orleans, La.; and five grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: husband, Jerome Pesek, Sr.; and brothers, James T. Vesely and Joe Vesely.
A parish rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today, a KJZT and Catholic Daughters rosary will be recited at 1:30 p.m. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at the church, the Rev. Gary Janak officiating.
Entombment will be at St. Joseph Mausoleum. Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, (361) 293-2333.
Memorials: St. Joseph Church building fund.
Yoakum – Walter Schindler, 84, of Yoakum, died Monday, Feb. 18, 2002.
He was born Sept. 22, 1917, in DeWitt County, to the late Charles Joseph and Norm Smith Schindler. He was a retired operator for Shell Oil Company and a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. He was a veteran of World War II in the United States Army.
Survivors: sons, Paul Schindler and Dick Schindler, both of Austin; sisters, Vivian Clark and Doris McCord, both of Yoakum and Margaret Cochran of Houston; brother, Les Schindler of Yoakum; and two grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: wife, Margie Douglass Schindler; infant daughter, Sharon Schindler; sisters, Lydia Warren Kirkland and Mildred Clark; and parents.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Buffington Funeral Home chapel.
Services will be 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home chapel, the Rev. Gary Goodson officiating.
Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery. Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 361-293-2333.
SPIES, VICTOR B.
Yoakum – Services for Victor Bernhard Spies, 91, of Yoakum who died Tuesday (Oct. 19, 1995), will be held at 2 p.m. today at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, the Rev. Tim Van Antwerp officiating.
Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 293-2333.
Pallbearers: Leonard Hagens, Wilbert Hagens, Ralph Polzin, Joe Laufer, John Langhoff and Vernon Matusek.
Memorials: Yoakum Community Hospital.
Yoakum – Bernice Steinmann, 84, of Yoakum, died Tuesday, July 21, 1998.
She was born May 27, 1914, in Yoakum, to the late Thomas Jefferson and Ruth H. Fridge Thackston. She was a homemaker, a former member of Garden Gate Club and a member of First United Methodist Church and Wesley Sunday School class.
Survivors: sons, W.C. Steinmann and J. Nyles Steinmann, both of Yoakum; and four grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: husband, Ernest L. Steinmann; sister, Ethel Hagan; and brother, Marvin Thackston.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. today at First United Methodist Church, the Rev. Bernard P. Ritchea officiating.
Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 293-2333.
Pallbearers: Wade Steinmann, Edwin Steinmann, Elwood Gaus, Billy Natho, Sydney Kaiser and Tommy Kocian.
Honorary pallbearers: Tilford Steinmann, Wilmon Steinmann, Calvin Roth, Berlin Thompson and Harold Knape.
Memorials: First United Methodist Church.
Mary W. Taylor, 88, of Yoakum, passed away Aug. 19 (2002).
She was born in Yoakum Nov. 24, 1914 to Emil H. and Erna A. Lange Buenger. Mary graduated from Yoakum High School in 1933, attended Baldwin’s Business College and taught at Baldwin’s for two years after graduating from that school.
She was then employed by the Piggly-Wiggly grocery stores about 1935 as a bookkeeper/secretary and remained in the grocery business until she retired in 1985. She was very active in the local Eastern Star Chapter, having served over 48 years as secretary.
She held many Eastern Star state offices and served as Mother Advisory for Yoakum Rainbow Assembly No. 2 and as the Texas Grand Advisory for the Rainbow Girls organization. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
She is survived by her husband, James B. Taylor of Yoakum.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services were held Friday, Aug. 22 at 9:30 a.m. at Buffington Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Gary Goodson officiating. Burial followed at Oak Grove Cemetery.
An Eastern Star Funeral Service was also conducted by the Yoakum Eastern Star Chapter No. 282.
Pallbearers: Robert Denson, N.V. Styler, Richard Alexander, George Roznovsky, Grady Glass and Gary Cooper.
Yoakum – Viola Ullman, 86, of Yoakum, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004.
She was born Jan. 10, 1918, in Gonzales County
to the late Edmund and Norma Fehner Braeuer. She was a retired food services
worker for Yoakum Independent School District and member of Holy Cross Lutheran
Church.
She was a member of the Hermann Sons Lodge, Yoakum Hospital Auxiliary and Women
of the Church.
Survivors: sons, Larry Ullman of Victoria and Roger Ullman of Rogers, Ark.; sister, Verna Hunter of Yoakum; brother, Oscar Braeuer of Victoria; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by; husband, Adolph Ullman; and brother, Rudolph Braeuer.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. tonight at Buffington Funeral Home chapel.
Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, the Rev. Gary Goodson officiating.
Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery. Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 361-293-2333.
Memorials: Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Hospice of South Texas or American Cancer Society.
VEAZEY, HENERY C.
Yoakum – Mr. Henery Clay Veazey, 98, of Yoakum, died Sunday, April 29, 2001.
He was born Feb. 26, 1903 in Bell County, to the late John and Mary Veazey. He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1926. He worked for the Highway Department in Grimes County. He was assistant district engineer in1946 and district engineer in 1964 in Yoakum before retiring from the department on 1986. He was a member of First (United) Methodist Church and the Building Committee.
Survivors: daughter, Mary Lou Larson of Austin; sister, Hatti Crow of Gatesville; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: wife, Brutye Veazey; sisters, Dessie Veazey and Azalee Ashcraft; and brothers, Bruce Veazey, Richard Veazey and Raymond Veazey.
Family visitation will be 6:30-8:30 p.m. tonight at Buffington Funeral Home chapel.
Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the chapel, the Rev. Buck Ritchea officiating.
Burial will be at Restland Cemetery. Buffington Funeral Home, Yoakum, 361-293-2333.
WITTE, FRANCES L.
Yoakum – Frances Louise Witte, 83, of Yoakum died Sunday, July 30, 1995.
She was born Nov. 21, 1911 in Ripley, Tenn.
Survivors: husband, Gerhardt Witte; daughters, Dorothy Alves of San Antonio and Barbara Burns of Dripping Springs; step daughter, Lillian Witte of Conroe; stepson, Jim Witte of Yoakum; brothers, Sterlyn Byrn and Walter Byrn, both of Corpus Christi, and J.P. Byrn of Beaumont; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Services: 11 a.m. today, Sunset Funeral Home chapel in San Antonio.
Burial: sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, Sunset Funeral Funeral Home, San Antonio, (210) 828-2811.
Memorials: Blue Bonnet Youth Ranch, P.O. Box 90, Yoakum, 77995.