| Salado, Texas obituaries and deaths
January-June 2008 Obituaries
July 2008 Obituaries
August 2008 Obituaries
September 2008 Obituaries
October 2008 Obituaries
November 2008 Obituaries
December 2008 Obituaries
July 2008 Obituaries
Lorraine Beckwith
Amanda Jo Elmore
Jennifer Kelly Lenis
Sharon Love Dixon
August 2008 Obituaries
Virginia Bryan
Eva Peters
Eva Juanita Warrick
Mary Ellen Parks
September 2008 Obituaries
Robert McHaney
Helen K. Norwood
Pvt. Joseph Francisco Gonzales
Staff Sgt. Brandon Wade Farley
Spc. Marques Irving Knight
Private Michael Wayne Murdock
Bobby Norwood
Douglas Keith Wujcik
Sgt. Marcus Limon
Capt. Michael J. Medder
Spc. Jared Arnn
October 2008 Obituaries
Pfc. Willie James Wiley Jr.
Jimmy Jackson
Pfc. Matthew Sandberg
Pfc. Tavarus Danard Setzler
Cpl. Scott Vickrey
Joe Bailey Sanders
Mary Whitaker Hill
Larry Lilly
Cpl. Reuben Marcus Fernandez III
Spc. Geoffrey Golden Johnson
Sgt. Preston Ray Medley
Spc. Stephen Robert Fortunato
Spc. Cory Joseph Bertrand
November 2008 Obituaries
Sgt. 1st Class Miguel Antonio Wilson
Dr. William McLellan Ashe
Hollis Vasser
Leonard R. Gerstenberg
Col. (USAF-R) Gerald Byron Bunker
Leo T. “Pete” Peterson
Spc. Corey Michael Shea
Sgt. Jose Regalado
Pfc. Theron Vondameir Hobbs
Sgt. Kevin Wayne Thomas
Julie Kay Coker
December 2008 Obituaries
James Alexander Pringle III
Pfc. Jordan T. May
Pvt. Colman J. Meadows III
Christi Hanna Spradley
Jewell Elizabeth Lang
Ward Carroll
Sam Price Gullatt, Jr.
Linda Billingsley McCaleb
Jim Reed
Capt. Robert Jose Yllescas
Sfc. Pablo Colon-Vega
Lorraine Beckwith
Lorraine Beckwith, 71, of Salado passed away July 7, 2008 in Temple, Texas.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Salado July 10 at 4 p.m. with her longtime pastor, Gary DeSalvo officiating.
Beckwith was born in 1937 in Waite Park, Minnesota. She lived in Central Texas for the past 22 years and was a member of Temple Bible Church.
She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Phil Beckwith; her brother, Jimmy Schneider; her daughter, Allison Putney and husband Chris; her son, Mark Beckwith; and her three grandchildren: Sadie, Audrey, and Joseph Putney.
Memorial arrangements were handled by Broecker Funeral Home of Salado.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Bible Church Missions Fund or Grace Academy Classical School of Georgetown.
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Amanda Jo Elmore
Amanda Jo Elmore passed away at Scott & White hospital on July 11, 2008 as a result of injuries sustained in an auto accident on June 29, 2008.
She was born on September 24, 1985 in Springfield, IL. She moved to Texas in 2004 and was employed by Weston Inn Health Center, Temple as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
She is survived by her mother, Becky Day of Salado, step-mother Joyce Long of Salado, her father Doug Hurley and step-mother Carol Hurley of Greenview, Il., sister and brother-in-law Jamie and David Dollens, a sister Rachel Simmons of Virden, Il, 3 step-sisters Heather Long, Diedra Hicks and Chantelle Long all of Roodhouse, Il., and her grandparents June and Jim Lamsargis of Springfield, Il.
Visitation was at the funeral home 6-8 p.m. July 16.
A private burial will take place at Rest Haven Cemetery in Belton on July 17.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Amanda Jo Elmore Fund, c/o First Salado Horizon Bank, 815 N. Stagecoach Road, Salado, Texas, 76571.
Broecker Funeral Home of Salado is in charge of arrangements.
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Jennifer Kelly Lenis
Jennifer Kelly Lenis, formerly of Salado, passed away on July 28, 2008.
Jennifer Kelly Lenis was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 6, 1979, to Armando Lenis M.D. and Barbara (Winters) Lenis. Jennifer was welcomed in birth by her parents and older brother, Allen. The Lenis family welcomed another baby girl, Michelle, the following year. The Lenis family moved from Ohio to Texas in March of 1982.
Jennifer attended school at Holland, Salado ISD, and the Academy Special Education School before proudly graduating from Burnet High School in 2000. Jennifer lived at the Bluebonnet Community Residence Home in Bertram from 1997 until 2001, when she moved to the Marble Falls Bluebonnet Community Residence Home.
Jennifer is survived by her parents, Barbara and Armando Lenis of Salado, her brother, Allen Lenis and wife Ana Lenis of Arlington, VA., her sister, Michelle Lenis of Salado, and her grandmother, Nelly Lenis of Cali, Colombia. Other close relatives include her uncle and aunt, Dr. Elias and Eleonora Ghandour, and cousin Maia, of Lubbock, Texas, Mona and James Jackson of Dallas and Eduardo Gonzalez of Houston, TX. Relatives in Cali, Colombia, include uncles Andres Lenis, Dr. Richard Lenis, and Dr. William Lenis, aunt Elizabeth Lenis, and cousins Alvaro Jose Lenis. Jennifer is preceded in death by her grandfather, Alvaro Lenis of Cali, Colombia.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Scott and White Hospital in the name of Jennifer Lenis for Pediatric Cancer 1-800-293-4483
Private family services will be held at a later date.
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Sharon Love Dixon
Funeral Services for Sharon Love Dixon, 74, of Salado, were held Saturday Aug. 2, at the Grace Baptist Church in Salado. Rev. John Warden officiated burial followed at Salado Cemetery.
Mrs. Dixon died Thursday morning, July 31, in a Temple Hospital.
Sharon was born April 10, 1934 in Arkansas, Kansas, the daughter of C.F. Moore and Alicia (Love) Moore. She married Jerry Dixon December 26, 1953 in Vinita, Oklahoma. They made their home in Salado in 1997 moving from Conroe. She was a homemaker and a member of Grace Baptist Church in Salado.
She was preceded in death by her husband January 31, 2001.
Survivors include one son Larry Dixon of Spring and daughter, ,Lisa Eckstrum of Magnolia; one sister Jeannie Dodson of Santa Ynez, California and four grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Grace Baptist Church in Salado or Vista Care Hospice.
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Virginia Bryan
Virginia Bryan, age 84, of Temple passed away Aug. 26, 2008. Broecker Funeral Home of Salado is in charge of the arrangements.
A visitation was held for friends and family at the funeral home Sept. 1 with a family celebration of her life at Broecker’s Sept. 2 with burial to follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Temple beside James, her husband of almost 60 years.
She was born Patricia Virginia Stroup on October 28, 1923, youngest daughter of Herbert Ainsley Stroup and Ida Belle McKinley Stroup in Tahoka, Texas. She grew up in nearby Brownfield and on November 22, 1942, married her high school sweetheart James Everett Bryan. World War II had begun and James enlisted in the Army. Virginia worked for the Red Cross and was able to work in that capacity at Fort Knox, Kentucky while James was stationed there. She returned to Texas when he was sent to Okinawa, and their first child Patricia Elaine was born in Brownfield while he was overseas. After the war ended and he returned home, a second daughter Constance Sue was born.
Her husband James worked for Texas Pipeline Company at several places in West Texas before the family relocated to Houston in 1953, where he was employed by Texaco. A son, Jonathan Marshall, was born in Houston in 1959. They moved to New Orleans, Louisiana in 1973 and lived there until James retired in 1984. Wanting to return to Texas, they chose Temple as their retirement home and greatly enjoyed the years they shared there until James died in June 2002, just four months shy of their 60th anniversary. After being diagnosed with Alzheimers in late 2002, Virginia lived at Hearthstone Assisted Living and then for the past 2 1/2 years at the home of her devoted caretaker Karen Richman in Hewitt.
Virginia was a member of First Christian Church in Temple, and participated in the Women’s Circle there and also in Kiwanis.
She is survived by her three children, Pat Ash of Tarzana, California, Connie Bryan of Salado, and Jay Bryan and his wife Jo of Richardson, Texas. She leaves behind eight grandchildren: Erin Mallen, Ellie Ash, Andy Klunder and wife Michelle, Mike Klunder and wife Jena, Melissa Klunder, and Jonathan, Jake, and Jacey Bryan. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Bela, Jadyn, Sofia, and Judah Klunder and Madelyn and Jackson Mallen.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to her caretaker Karen Richman for her loving care, to all the wonderful people of Hillcrest Hospice, and to Pat and Dave Broecker of Broecker Funeral Home for what they have meant to the family at this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association in her honor at 3429 Executive Center Drive, Suite 100, Austin TX 78731.
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Eva Peters
Eva Peters, formerly of Rogers, passed away on August 12, 2008 in Mesquite, Texas. She was born October 17, 1921 in Coffeeville, Mississippi. She married R.L. Peters on June 25, 1948 in Memphis, Tennessee. They celebrated 58 years of marriage before his passing in 2007. She was a retired civil service employee with the Air Force Logistics Command. She was politically active and was a delegate to the State Republican Convention numerous times.
Eva was an active member of the Church of Christ and taught Sunday school for many years. She was most recently involved in the CPR (Care, Play, Read) and visitation programs at the Saturn Road Church of Christ in Garland, Texas.
She is survived by her daughters: Annette Parker and husband Dwight of Grandfield, Oklahoma; Dorothy Peters of Mesquite, Texas and Linda Smith and husband Clyde of Rockwall, Texas. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Geoff Parker of Grandfield, Oklahoma; Robert Smith and Michael Smith of College Station, Texas and Jenny Bates of Lawton, Oklahoma and her husband, Spc. Phil Bates, currently serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq and her great-granddaughter, Kalyn Bates. Also surviving are her sisters: Ella Ruth Perkins of Mesa, Arizona and Dorothy St. John of Coffeeville, Mississippi. She was preceded in death by her parents Rue and Viona Helm; her husband, R.L. Peters; a brother, Herschel P. Helm; and sisters: Mary Frances Butts and Betty Richey. She is also survived by her beloved sister-in-law, Mary Belle Brown and her husband Tom of Salado.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at the Saturn Road Church of Christ in Garland, Texas. Private burial services will be at the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. Memorial donations may be made to the A. Hugh Graham Memorial Endowment at Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas or Lifeline Chaplaincy.
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Eva Juanita Warrick
Funeral services for Eva Juanita Warrick, 85 of Salado, were held Aug. 12 at Dossman Funeral Home of Belton with Rev. Derald Dugger officiating. Interment followed at Salado Cemetery.
Eva Juanita Warrick died Aug. 8, 2008 in a Bartlett care center.
Eva Warrick was born Feb. 8, 1923 in Prairie Dell the daughter of John F. and Gussie (Tisdale) Alexander. She married William Lynn Warrick on May 25, 1939 in Jarrell. Warrick was retired form Forth Hood where she worked as a Dental Assistant. She was a member of the American Dental Association, Salado Chamber of Commerce Auxiliary, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Salado for more than 20 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William Lynn Warrick and one grandson Scotty Tomlin.
She is survived by her daughter, Betty Kirkpatrick of Salado; one son, Donnie Warrick of Salado; one sister, Ruby Townsend of Salado; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Visitation was held Aug. 11, at Dossman Funeral Home.
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Mary Ellen Parks
Services for Mary Ellen Parks, age 80, of Salado were held Aug. 6. at the Salado Church of Christ. Minister Joe Keyes officiated. Burial followed at Salado Cemetery.
Mary died August 4, 2008 in a Temple hospital.
She was born January 27, 1928 in Denoya, Oklahoma to Wallace Gerald and Gertrude Elsa (Balch) Scott. She married Lloyd L. Parks on August 20, 1948 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They moved to Salado in 1992 from Houston and also lived in Denver, Indianapolis and Calgary, Alberta. She was a member of the Salado Church of Christ. She taught children’s bible class for 50 years. She was an accomplished artist and was a member of the Salado Village Artist group where she was selected Artist of the Month on more than one occasion.
Survivors include her husband, Lloyd L. Parks of Salado, 3 daughters, Connie Jo VanSchuyver of Houston, Karyn Ann Parks of Phoenix, AZ and Rebecca Lee Fritzson and her husband Jeff of Frisco, Texas; a brother Wallace Gerald Scott Jr. of Florissant, MO, 2 sisters, Majorie Jones of Broken Arrow, OK and Peggy Smith of Great Bend, KS.
Visitation was held Aug. 5. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials to the Salado Church of Christ, Children’s Fund.
Arrangements were handled by Dossman Funeral Home of Belton.
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Spc. Jared Arnn
Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died Sept. 27, as a result of internal bleeding from an existing medical condition.
Spc. Jared Arnn, 21, of Boonville, Ind. was admitted to Fort Hood’s Darnall Hospital after fellow Soldiers had found him unresponsive in his barracks room the afternoon of Sept. 27. He was evacuated to the Scott & White Hospital Neurology Department in Temple, Texas and died later that day.
Arnn entered the military in August 2006 as an avionics system repairman. He was assigned to the 615th Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division since July 2007, serving as an avionics repair specialist for the battalion.
Most recently Spc. Arnn was in support of 1st Air Cavalry Brigade as it conducted humanitarian relief flights to Texas’s Gulf Coast following Hurricane Ike. He performed maintenance and repair of aircraft in support of the mission to include UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
Prior to serving with the 1st Cavalry Division he served in the Republic of South Korea, earning the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
He is survived by his mother and father.
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Robert McHaney
A Mass of the Resurrection will be recited for Robert McHaney, 64, of Salado at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Sequin with full military honors.
Mr. McHaney died Thursday, Sept. 18, in Temple.
He was born Sept. 3, 1944, to Edward and Mary P. McHaney in Melvin. He was raised in Seguin. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army, serving two tours in Vietnam, receiving a Purple Heart. He retired in 2004, as a Master Sgt. He married Mary Judith De Leon on Oct. 24, 1968. He graduated from Texas Lutheran College receiving a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Webster University. He was a band director at Navarro, Nixon and Salado ISD’s. He later taught at Huston-Tillotson College as a music professor. He was an extra for movies filmed in Austin, including his most featured role as an umpire in “The Rookie”.
Survivors include his wife of almost 40 years; two sons, Dennis McHaney of Lacey and Jonathan McHaney of Denton; two daughters, Elizabeth Kriezcky of Hutto and Jennifer McGregor of Salado; four brothers, David McHaney and Jesse McHaney, both of Seguin, Richard McHaney of Dallas and Ben McHaney of Indiana; a sister, Simona Luna of Seguin; and eight grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salado Volunteer Fire Department, Salado, Texas, 76571.
Visitation – Monday will be 5-7 p.m. at Goetz Funeral Home in Sequin, with a rosary being prayed at 7 p.m.
Visitation- today will be 5-7 p.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Salado. Services will follow.
Broecker Funeral Home of Salado is in charge of arrangements.
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Helen K. Norwood
Helen K. Norwood, a loving and beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away peacefully on Sept. 15.
Services were held at Heartfield Funeral Chapel. Burial followed in Salado Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Salado United Methodist Church.
Helen was born on Oct. 22, 1919 in a farm house near Praire Dell, Texas to Grainger and Ida Elizabeth Killingsworth. Helen had the honor of being chosen as Miss Salado for the Texas Centennial of 1936. She graduated as salutatorian from Salado High School. On Christmas day, 1938, she married her one and only love, Fred Norwood, a happy marriage for over 68 years until his death in 2007.
Helen’s focus was always on home and family, even while she had a working career. Fred’s employment with Texas Power and Light meant assignments to locations around central and east Texas and Helen made each of them a home. After Fred’s retirment, they happily returned to Prairie Dell to their passion for farming and ranching. Helen cooked the best chicken fried steak and chocolate pie in Central Texas- no question.
Helen is survived by her daughter Mary Esch and husband John Esch of Ft. Worth and by grandchildren Grainger Esch of Salado and Gregor Esch of Ft. Worth. She was preceded in death by Fred and her parents.
Heartfield Funeral Home handled arrangements.
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Staff Sgt. Nathan Matthew Cox
Fort Hood announced the death of Staff Sgt. Nathan Matthew Cox, 32, of Walcott, Iowa, who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The Soldiers died Sept. 20 in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Staff Sgt. Nathan Matthew Cox, 32, of Walcott, Iowa, joined the military in July 2002 as an Infantryman and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division since May 2007.
The Soldier deployed to Afghanistan July 2008.
Staff Sergeant Cox’s military awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and NATO Medal.
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Pvt. Joseph Francisco Gonzales
Fort Hood announced the death of Pvt. Joseph Francisco Gonzales, 18, of Tucson, Arizona, who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The Soldiers died Sept. 20 in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Pvt. Joseph Francisco Gonzales, 18, of Tucson, Arizona, joined the military in April 2007 as an Infantryman and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division since October 2007.
The Soldier deployed to Afghanistan July 2008.
Pvt. Gonzales’ military awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
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Staff Sgt. Brandon Wade Farley
Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Brandon Wade Farley, 30, of Grand Prairie, Texas, died Sept. 18 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan of wounds sustained Sept. 17 when his mounted patrol was attacked by enemy forces using small arms and rocket-propelled grenades in Able Monti, Afghanistan.
Farley entered the Army in December 1999 as an Infantryman. He was assigned to the, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, since April 2007.
Staff Sergeant Farley deployed to Afghanistan in July 2008.
Farley’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy/Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Multi-national Force and Observers Medal and NATO Medal.
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Spc. Marques Irving Knight
Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. Marques Irving Knight, of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., died Sept. 6 in Aliabad, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he received small arms fire while on dismounted patrol.
Knight entered the Army in August 2002 as an Infantryman. He was assigned to the, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, since August 2007.
Specialist Knight deployed to Afghanistan in July 2008.
Knight’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
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Private Michael Wayne Murdock
Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Private Michael Wayne Murdock, 22, of Chocowinity, N.C., died Sept. 11 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered at Combat Outpost Lybert, Afghanistan, when he was struck by enemy fire.
Murdock entered the Army in July 2006 as a Field Artillery Automated Tactical Data System Specialist. He was assigned to the, 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, since March 2007.
Private Murdock deployed to Afghanistan in June 2008.
Murdock’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
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Bobby Norwood
Bobby Norwood died August 18, 2008 after a lengthy illness.
Norwood was born Jan. 29, 1929 in Salado, Texas to J.H. and Pearl Norwood.
He worked 27 years for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., but his passion was music. Among his many talents was the knowledge to play guitar, piano and the fiddle.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J.H. and Pearl Norwood; brothers J.H. Jr., Gylnn and Hal Norwood; sisters Freida Norwood and Margaret Purgahn; one daughter, Cathy Norwood; brothers-in-law, Eddie Brown, E.C. Purgahn and Dr. Coleman Raley and on step-son Steve Breazeale.
He is survived by his wife Birdie Norwood, two sisters, Fern Raley of Shawnee, OK and Mildred Brown of Ft. Worth, TX; son Terry Norwood and wife Erica; stepson Mike Breazeale and wife Debra; stepdaughter, Diane Watson and husband James and Polly Wilson and husband Jimmy. Grandsons Robby Inman and wife Melissa of Lorena, TX; and Jody Norwood of Killeen, TX; granddaughters Kathy Wiktorek and husband Tim of NC, Kelley Lord and husband Josh of Nolanville, TX and Kimberley Norwood of Killeen, TX; 14 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services were held in Pasadena, TX, Aug. 21 at Grandview Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Salado United Methodist Church music fund or Salado Alumni Assoc. P. O. Box 791, Salado, TX 76571 Scholarship Acct.
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Douglas Keith Wujcik
Services for Douglas Keith Wujcik, 50, of Salado will be 3 p.m., Sept. 13 at Broecker Funeral Home.
Mr. Wujcik died Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at his residence.
He was born in Chaleroi, PA to Albert and Helen Praskavich Wujcik.
Mr. Wujcik joined the Navy after graduation from High School, became an amphibian specialist, serving 4 years from his base in San Diego. He left the service as a 3rd Aviation Boatsman and worked in the jet aircraft industry in Arizona, Oklahoma and Texas for 20 years.
His hobbies included woodwork and art which brought him to Salado.
Survivors include his parents, 2 sisters, Laurie Moore of Dallas and Mary Johnson of Cincinnati, Ohio: and a brother, Bruce Wujcik of New Haven, Ct.: a daughter Trisho of San Diego, Ca. and 2 nieces.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: American Cancer Society, 2433 Ridgepoint Dr. B, Austin, Texas 78754 and Salado Humane Society, PO Box 493, Salado, Texas 76571.
Broecker Funeral Home of Salado is in charge of arrangements.
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Sgt. Marcus Limon
Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier killed Sept. 27, as the result of an early morning vehicle accident.
Sgt. Marcus Limon, 32, of Fortson, Ga. was riding a motorcycle on U.S. Highway 190 near Nolanville, Texas when he ran into the back of another vehicle at a high-rate of speed. He was evacuated to Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas and died later that day following attempts to revive him.
Limon entered the military in January 2005 as a fuel handler. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division since July 2005, serving as a petroleum supply specialist for the battalion.
During his time with the 1st Cavalry Division, Limon deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom Rotation 06-08, earning the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star and the Global War on Terrorism Medal, among many others.
While in Iraq, Limon contributed to his section making more than 1,300 fuel tanker re-supply missions. His section dispensed 3, 027,146 gallons of fuel without incident for various air platforms to include UH-60 Blackhawk, CH-47 Chinook and AH-64 Apache helicopters as well as providing fuel to aircraft from other military services to include the Navy and Air Force.
He is survived by his wife.
The incident is under investigation.
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Capt. Michael J. Medder
The Department of Defense announced the death of a Soldier killed while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Soldier was killed on September 24, in Jisr Naft, Iraq.
Capt. Michael J. Medders, 25, of Avon Lake, Ohio, died of wounds suffered when a suicide vest detonated near him during combat operations. Captain Medders was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.
Captain Medders’ military awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Combat Action Badge.
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Jimmy Jackson
Services for Jimmy Jackson, of Salado were held October 11 at Cedar Valley Cemetery, Salado.
Jimmy Jackson died October 8, 2008 at his residence. On October 6, 2008, Jimmy and Tony celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. A life long resident of Salado, Jackson attended Cedar Valley Elementary and Salado Schools.
He was born in Salado, to Claude Henry Jackson and Stella Ann Brooks.
Jackson was an auto mechanic for Penske Automotive, manager of K-Mart automotive division and a driver for a Killeen butane company. As a cattle rancher, his hobbies included fishing and hunting.
Jackson is preceded in death by his parents, two sons: Jimmy Jackson Jr., and Jimmy Jackson II; a brother Joe H. Jackson, and 3 sisters, Mary Jackson, Melba Sue Jackson and Levon Miller.
Survivors include his wife, Tony and daughters, Cheryl Beckham, Dallas, Carol Ann Ratliff of Belton, Sue Hreha of Killeen; brothers, Norman and Larry Jackson of Salado and sister, Kathy Phillips of Academy; 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Visitation was held October 10 at Cedar Valley Baptist Church, 12237 FM 2843 from 5PM to 8PM.
Broecker Funeral Home of Salado made arrangements.
Pfc. Matthew Sandberg
First Cavalry Division officials have released the name of a Soldier who was killed Oct. 9, in an accident at the post’s rail yard.
Pfc. Matthew Sandberg, 20, of Leadville, Colo. was ground guiding a military vehicle when he was crushed by a rack assembly. Fort Hood Emergency Services personnel responded to the accident and Sandberg was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sandberg entered the military in October 2007. He was assigned to 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division since March 2008, serving as a heavy vehicle driver for the battalion.
Sandberg was slated to go with his battalion to Iraq later this year. At the time of his death, he had just completed training at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif. in preparation for his upcoming deployment. While at NTC, Sandberg trained on combat logistics patrol operations, providing supplies to his fellow Soldiers.
His medals and awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
He is survived by his father.
Pfc. Willie James Wiley Jr.
Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier killed Oct. 3 in a vehicle accident on Highway 190 near Nolanville, Texas.
Pfc. Willie James Wiley Jr., 20, of Mableton, Ga. was killed after the car he was riding in hit a wall at a high rate of speed and rolled over. Wiley, who was a passenger in the vehicle, died as a result of the trauma he sustained in the accident. The driver sustained minor injuries and is in stable condition at Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas.
Wiley entered the Army in May 2007 as an M1 armor crewman. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division since September 2007. Upon his arrival to Fort Hood, Wiley was assigned as part of the 1st Bn., 12th Cavalry’s Rear Detachment while the battalion was in Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom Rotation 06-08.
Wiley was slated to go with his battalion to Iraq later this year. At the time of his death, Wiley had just completed training at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif. in preparation for his upcoming deployment. While at NTC, Wiley trained on mounted combat patrol lanes, cordon and search lanes and a dismounted patrol lane. As a member of an Abrams tank crew, some of his training involved escort missions for route clearance teams.
His medals and awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
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Pfc. Tavarus Danard Setzler
Fort Hood announced the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Tavarus Danard Setzler, 23, of Jacksonville, Fla., died Oct. 2, of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Majar al Kabir, Iraq.
Setzler joined the military in November 2007 as a Combat Engineer and was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division since March 2008.
He deployed to Iraq June 2008.
Private Setzler’s decorations and awards include the Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
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Cpl. Scott Vickrey
A Fort Hood Soldier was found dead in his barracks room Sunday evening.
Cpl. Scott Vickrey, 23, a Fayetteville, Ark., native, was discovered unconscious by his squad leader at Vickery’s quarters in Rough Rider Village.
Vickrey’s awards include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, and Global War on Terrorism Medal.
The squad leader alerted medical services, and the Soldier was declared dead at the scene.
The cause of death has not been determined yet.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at Fort Hood’s 17th Street Chapel.
Vickrey joined the Army in 2003. Vickery earned two Army Commendation medals during his tour in Iraq in Diyala Province, Iraq, from February 16, 2004 through February 15, 2005. The combat engineer distinguished himself while serving with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. He earned his first Army Commendation Medal for repelling a suicide attacker.
“PFC Vickrey’s quick and decisive actions saved the lives of numerous U.S. Military and Iraqi National Guard Soldiers,” according to the award citation.
Vickrey’s second ARCOM recognized him for thwarting an IED attack, and for “directly contributing to a 40 percent drop in IED emplacement by putting himself in harms way by identifying IED by visual means when no other means were available,” according to the second ARCOM.
During his tour, Vickrey participated in more than 200 combat patrols, 150 IED sweeps, two cordon and knocks, one raid and numerous escort missions. In addition he also served more than 500 hours of incident freed guard duty at the Diyala Media Center.
Vickrey’s awards include: the National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal and Global War on Terrorism Medal.
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Joe Bailey Sanders
Joe Bailey Sanders, 75, of Temple, and formerly of Salado, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, in a local nursing center.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Temple with Rev. Sam Callaway officiating. Graveside services will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Chriesman Cemetery, near Caldwell.
Mr. Sanders was born to Bryan and Bessie Richardson Sanders in Chriesman on Oct. 31, 1932. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He had been a resident of Bell County since 1962. Prior to his retirement in 1994, he was employed for 30 years with Santa Fe Railroad. Mr. Sanders was a 32nd degree Mason, and a member of Salado Lodge #296 AF&AM.
Survivors include one son, Gary Joe Sanders of Kingwood; three daughters, Kathy Sanders Smith of Beaumont, Karen Hollick of Kingwood and Dalia Sanders of Spring; one sister, Doris Osgood of Austin; and three grandchildren.
Visitation was held Wednesday at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home.
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Mary Whitaker Hill
Mary Whitaker Hill, a long-time resident and active member of the Salado community, died October 14, 2008 in Temple at the age of 97.
She was a native of Cleveland, Ohio. In the late 1940’s Mary lived for seven years in Denver, Colorado. In 1948 she moved to Houston where she was employed by Sweeney Estates as secretary and office manager.
Upon retiring in 1981, she and her late husband, John Hill, moved to Salado.
During the 27 years Mary lived in Salado, she was a member of the Institute for the Humanities and served two terms on their board. She was an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary, the Salado Historical Society, the Salado Lions Club, the Living Room Theater of Salado and the Salado Public Library.
While living in Houston, she sang in the Houston Symphony Chorale, and later she sang in the Salado Chorale.
Mary survived seven brothers and one sister. She had 14 nieces and nephews.
Her body was donated to science.
Memorials may be made to Unity Church of Temple or the Institute for the Humanities at Salado.
A memorial will be held in Salado at a later date. All of her many friends in Salado will be welcomed and encouraged to celebrate her life and memory at that time.
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Larry Lilly
Services for Larry Lilly, 62, of Georgetown and formerly of Salado, will be Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. at the Salado United Methodist Church with Rev. Travis Franklin officiating.
Lilly died Oct. 20, 2008 at his home after a year long battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was born March 10, 1946, in Knox City, TX. to John E. (Buster) Lilly and Margaret Louise Redwine.
He attended Throckmorton High School in 1964 and Texas Christian University in 1969 where he received his B.S. degree.
In 1982 he married Linda Lee Porterfield.
Lilly was a prominent custom home/commercial builder in Central Texas. He was President of Larry Lilly Builders, Inc. for over 20 years. He was named Builder of the Year in Bell County, served as President of the Temple Belton Homebuilders Association and was instrumental in structuring building codes for Salado.
He served on the Board of Directors for Ronald McDonald House in Temple.
He had an active sports career starting with high school. He was named All State in Football and All Regional in Track. At TCU, Larry lettered in football from his position as defensive guard. He became a state amateur golfer winning numerous championships and tournaments. He was twice named president of the Mill Creek Golf Association in Salado and president- elect of Cimarron Hills Golf and Country Club Golf Association in Georgetown. He was also an active member of the Temple Elks Club.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Lee (Porterfield) Lilly of Georgetown; his mother Margaret Lilly of Georgetown; three daughters: Lisa Dawn Lux of Eldorado, Jennifer Lynn Lilly of Eldorado, and Emily Nicole Lilly of Dallas; brother, Bob Lilly of Georgetown, and sister, Ann Lilly of McKinney, and his three loving grandchildren: Karmi, Kyler and Kasey; all of Eldorado.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: The Larry Lilly Memorial Fund, c/o First State Bank, Main and Thomas Arnold Rd, Salado, TX. 76571 or the Salado United Methodist Church, 650 Royal St., Salado.
Broecker Funeral Home of Salado is in charge of arrangements.
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Cpl. Reuben Marcus Fernandez III
Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died Oct. 16 in Karangol Village, Afghanistan of wounds suffered from indirect fire.
Sgt. John M. Penich, 25, of Beach Park, Ill., an Infantryman, entered the military in March 2006. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division since February 2007.
Penich deployed to Afghanistan July 2008.
Sergeant Penich’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and NATO Medal.
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Spc. Geoffrey Golden Johnson
Fort Hood officials announced the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Geoffrey Golden Johnson, 28, of Lubbock, Texas, died on Oct. 12 of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident in Baghdad, Iraq.
Johnson entered the Army in August 2006 as a Terrain Data Specialist. He was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, since May 2007.
Specialist Johnson deployed to Iraq in November 2007.
Johnson’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
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Sgt. Preston Ray Medley
Fort Hood announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. Preston Ray Medley, 23, of Baker, Florida, joined the military in October 2005 as an Infantryman and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division since June 2007.
The soldier died October 14, in Qazi Bandeh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Two other soldiers in the vehicle also were killed.
The Soldier deployed to Afghanistan July 2008.
Sgt. Medley’s military awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and NATO Medal.
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Spc. Stephen Robert Fortunato
Spc. Stephen Robert Fortunato, 25, of Danvers, Massachusetts joined the military in August 2005 as an Infantryman and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division since June 2007.
The soldier died October 14, in Qazi Bandeh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Two other soldiers in the vehicle also were killed.
The Soldier deployed to Afghanistan July 2008.
Spc. Fortunato’s military awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal.
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Spc. Cory Joseph Bertrand
Fort Hood announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. Cory Joseph Bertrand, 18, of Center, Texas, joined the military in January 2007 as an Infantryman and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division since June 2007.
The soldier died October 14, in Qazi Bandeh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Two other soldiers in the vehicle also were killed.
The Soldier deployed to Afghanistan July 2008.
Spc. Bertrand’s military awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and NATO Medal.
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Sgt. 1st Class Miguel Antonio Wilson
Fort Hood announced the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class Miguel Antonio Wilson, 36, of Bonham, Texas, died Nov. 21 in Abu Sayf, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a rescue attempt of another Soldier while their unit was conducting a dismounted reconnaissance mission.
Wilson joined the military in January 1997 as an indirect fire infantryman and was assigned to, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment since September 2006.
He deployed November 2007.
Sergeant First Class Wilson’s decorations and awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon.
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Dr. William McLellan Ashe
Dr. William McLellan Ashe, 94, of Salado died Nov. 25, 2008 at his home. He was born November 7, 1914, in Sharon, Pennsylvania to Carl Frederick Ashe and Katie McLellan.
Dr. Ashe graduated the University Of Rochester School Of Medicine in 1942 and just prior to graduating married his wife of 66 years Patricia Hope Hagaman. Dr. Ashe completed his internship at Passavant Memorial Hospital in Chicago and his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He specialized in Thoracic Surgery and performed the first open heart surgery at Children’s Hospital Dallas, Texas.
Dr. William Ashe was a Navy Veteran of World War II, serving as a physician on the Battleship USS Wisconsin and a veteran of the Korean Conflict where he served as a surgeon. He remained in the Naval Reserves, serving his last duty at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Upon moving to Salado, Dr. Ashe worked at the VA in Temple, Texas. He was 1976 President of the Salado Chamber of Commerce which carried Mayoral duties before incorporation and the first President of the Salado Historical Society.
Preceded in death by his parents and daughter Sibby Slaton, Dr. Ashe’s survivors include: his wife Patricia of Salado; son Bill Ashe of Dallas, Texas; daughters Sue Wetsel of Pagosa Springs, Colorado and Kay Wood of Ft. Worth, Texas; brother John Ashe of Chicago, Ill.; sister Ruth Saparito of Florida; 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Donations may be made to: American Heart Association P.O. Box 841125 Dallas, Texas 75281-1125.
Broecker Funeral Home of Salado is in charge of arrangements.
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Hollis Vasser
Hollis Vasser, 83, of Waco, passed away Nov. 25, 2008.
Services were held Nov. 29 at Meadowbrook Baptist Church with Pastor Cary Killough officiating.
Burial followed at Chilton Cemetery in Chilton. Hollis was born Nov. 30, 1924, to Charles Gibson and Julia Pearl Tull Vasser in Chilton.
He graduated from Chilton High School and entered the U.S. Army Air Force on May 13, 1943. He was a World War II veteran.
He married Eunice Anna Busse on Nov. 22, 1947, in Malone, Texas.
Upon his honorable discharge, he started a 37 year career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.
After retirement, he worked for Word, Inc. in Waco and repaired tape players through the Telephone Pioneers.
Hollis was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; two brothers; and one granddaughter.
Hollis is survived by his wife of 61 years; four children, Judy Stafford and husband Larry of Lorena, Bonnie Smith and husband Bill of Salado, Karey Patterson and husband Allen, of Woodway, and Leisa Gant and husband Michael of West; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to Chilton Cemetery Association, 240 Hwy. 7, Chilton, TX 76632, or Meadowbrook Baptist Church, Bible Fund, 1207 N. Old Robinson Road, Waco, TX 76706.
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Leonard R. Gerstenberg
Graveside services for Leonard R. Gerstenberg, 99 of Belton were held Nov. 28. Joe Baisden, Pad Chaney, and Paul Gerstenberg officiated.
Gerstenberg died Nov. 24, in a Temple hospital. He was born in Weimar, Colorado County, Texas March 7, 1909 to William August and Helena Gerstenberg.. Leonard, at age 5, the youngest of seven children settled the land here on the Lampasas River in 1914. He married Ethel Huey, Nov. 22, 1931 who preceded him in death in 1985. He farmed all his life and was a pecan grower and expert in pecan grafting.
Survivors include his wife of 21 years, the former Louise Walker Reid; a son Kenneth Charles Gerstenberg and wife, Vera of Belton; five grandchildren Dennis C. Gerstenberg; David L. Gerstenberg, both of Montgomery, Tx; Mark Gerstenberg of Colorado Springs, CO.; Helena Gerstenberg Clark, of Highlands Ranch, CO and K. Paul Gerstenberg of Port Authur, Tx. 20 great grandchildren and six great, great grandchildren.
Visitation was held on Nov. 25 at Heartfield’s Funeral Home in Belton.
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Col. (USAF-R) Gerald Byron Bunker
Col. (USAF-R) Gerald Byron Bunker, 80, died November 21, 2008 at Alz-Care in Temple. Services were held Nov. 25 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Temple. Burial followed in Salado Cemetery.
Pastor Wilbern Michalk officiated the services.
Bunker was born November 11, 1928 at University Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Maxwell Byron Bunker and Velma Ardella Van Loh Bunker.
He graduated from Central High School in Oklahoma City in 1946 and then attended Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater for two years on a Chemical Engineering scholarship.
When his father retired and moved the family back to his hometown of Salado, Bunker transferred to the University of Texas and joined the Air Force ROTC program. He graduated from UT as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1951 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.
He married Betty Henshaw Duckworth in Belton on January 28, 1951.
He accepted a Regular Air Force commission in March 1951 and was posted to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi Mississippi.
Among the many assignments for Col. Bunker during his 29 year Air Force career were these: 106th A&E Maintenance Squadron; K-9 Korea 34th Bomb Squadron and 17th Bomb Wing; Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico as research and development project officer with the Air Force Special Weapons Center, with emphasis on nuclear weapons; RAF Station Bushy Park in England; Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama; Deputy Division Chief in Technical Application Center, Alexandria, Virginia; Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Ft. Lesley J. McNair and Washington, D.C.; Defense Intelligence Agency, Rosslyn, Virginia; Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts; National Security Agency at Ft. George G. Mead, Maryland; Headquarters, Electronic Command at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas.
He retired as the Deputy Chief of Communications Security at Kelly on June 30, 1980.
His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service with one bronze start, the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, the United Nations Service Medal and the RAF Missile badge (for his work installing the Thor missile throughout the British isles).
Col. Bunker was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Temple, the Lutheran Layman’s League, the Retired Officers’ Association, the Air Force Association, the National Rifle Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He is survived by his wife Betty and daughter Kathi and her husband John Nowosacki, of North Reading, Massachusetts, daughter Tina and her husband Casey Winters, of Belton, son Eric and his wife Laurie, of Monroe, Georgia.
He is also survived by his brother Frederick M. Bunker, of Tyler, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Lutheran World Relief, 700 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230 or Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Research, 200 First Street, S.W., Rochester, MN 55905.
Heartfield Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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Leo T. “Pete” Peterson
Leo T. “Pete” Peterson. formerly of Salado and aged 88, passed away November 12, 2008 in Cibolo, Texas. He was interred at Fort Sam Houston on Nov. 21.
He was born in Madison, Wisconsin on May 14, 1920 to Edward Walter Mayer and Mary Agnes Kehl, both of whom were form Wisconsin. His given name at birth was Leo Thomas Mayer.
His only sister, Carolyn, was born two years later. Shortly after her death, the family was separated due to the presumed death of Edward Walters Mayer.
After Mayer’s death, Leo was raised in an orphanage for a period of time, while his sister lived with another relative.
His mother later married William “Bill” Peterson. She reunited with her two children and she and her new husband raised the children.
Leo called himself Leo T. Peterson, and was known to family and friends as “Pete.” He legally had his name changed from Leo Thomas Mayer to Leo Thomas Peterson in 1977.
He married Lorraine E. Roinestad on June 21, 1941. The couple had five children before their divorce in 1986: Sheryl Russell, of Salado; Thomas “Tom” Peterson, of San Antonio; Virginia Robertson, of Jewett; Deborah Leonard, of Nacogdoches; and Susan Peterson, who died in infancy.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and transferred to the U.S. Air Force in 1944, where he served as a command pilot with 4,000 hours in flight, flying 30 B-17 missions ETO. He was honorably discharged in 1964.
He earned a B.A. in Economics from Notre Dame in 1958. After a 22 year military career, he became a stock broker for almost two decades before retiring in 1982.
He is survived by his children and former wife.
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Spc. Corey Michael Shea
Fort Hood officials have announced the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The soldier died Nov. 12 in Mosul, Iraq, when an Iraqi Army soldier wearing a uniform approached two soldiers and opened fire.
Spc. Corey Michael Shea, 21, of Mansfield, Massachusetts, a Cavalry Scout, entered the Army in March 2006. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment since August 2006.
Specialist Shea’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
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Sgt. Jose Regalado
Fort Hood officials have announced the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The soldier died Nov. 12 in Mosul, Iraq, when an Iraqi Army soldier wearing a uniform approached two soldiers and opened fire.
Sgt. Jose Regalado, 23, of Los Angeles, California, a Cavalry Scout, entered the Army in July 2003. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment since December 2007.
The Soldier deployed to Iraq November 2007.
Sergeant Regalado’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.
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Pfc. Theron Vondameir Hobbs
Fort Hood officials announced Nov. 12 the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Theron Vondameir Hobbs, 22, of Albany, Ga., died Nov. 6 in a motor vehicle accident in Kirkuk, Iraq.
Hobbs was assigned to 572nd Engineer Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, since April 2008, as an M1 Abrams Tank System Maintainer.
He deployed to Iraq April 2008.
Pfc. Hobb’s awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.
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Sgt. Kevin Wayne Thomas
Fort Hood officials have released the name of a soldier after next-of-kin had been notified, who died Monday, November 10, in Temple from injuries received in a motorcycle accident in Florence.
Sgt. Kevin Wayne Thomas, 24, of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, an Ammunition Specialist, entered the military in May 2003. He was assigned to the 664th Ordnance Company, 180th Transportation Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) since February 2006.
Thomas, during the time of the incident, was the driver of a privately owned motorcycle. He was killed as a result of injuries sustained during the accident.
Thomas’ decorations and awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and NATO Medal.
The accident is under investigation.
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Julie Kay Coker
Graveside services for Julie Kay Coker, 41 of Belton were held Nov. 8, at Bellwood Memorial Park.
Mrs. Coker died Nov. 4 in an Austin care center.
Julie was born Dec. 10, 1966 in Belton to Hubert L. and Barbara Ann (McDonald) Chaney. She graduated from Belton High School in 1985 and attended Temple College. Julie married Kerry Coker June 9, 1990. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Belton.
Julie is survived by her husband, Kerry Coker of Belton; one son, Tyler Coker of Salado; one daughter, Kristen Holmes of Cedar Park; three brothers, Don Chaney of Moody, David Chaney of New Caney, Michael Chaney of Houston.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one child.
Arrangements are under the direction of Heartfield Funeral Home.
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James Alexander Pringle III
James Alexander Pringle III, a longtime resident of Salado, died December 26, 2008 at Park Place Manor Nursing Home in Belton.. He was born October 24, 1922.
Upon retirement from the University Of Texas Drama Department in the late ‘80s Jim discovered Salado and decided to build a house there.
He became active in the community serving on committees and bringing his expertise to the Art Fair, Highland Games and Central Texas Area Museum and was on the committee that developed the old school into the new Community Center.
His passion was for the Salado Democrats, where he served for many years. He was well known throughout his adopted town. Jim was a devoted animal lover and over the course of his life rescued and loved many dogs and cats. His two best friends toward the end of his life were his cats Maude and Tom who slept with him every night until he moved earlier this month to the nursing home. He said that he always wanted to be remembered as a friend to animals.
Jim was born in Pittsfield, MA. He served in WWII first in the Veterinary Corps then in the Quartermaster Corp in France. He went to the Parsons School of Design and Fordham University in New York City, was recruited by Margo Jones to help start and run her theatre in Dallas, and was later brought to the University of Texas by Loren Winship in the 1950s.
Mr. Pringle, as he was known to just about everyone, left his greatest legacy in the form of the many students who passed through the Drama Department over the years. He was very proud of their accomplishments. He instilled a sense of responsibility, history and a strong work ethic. He believed in the power of a person’s reputation to carry one through life. He was a very private person who believed in minding his own business. He loved Scotland and took great pride in his Scottish heritage. He always dealt honorably with everyone.
Jim and his wife Rita Cohen Pringle were married in Brooklyn, NY after the war. Rita died in Austin in 1971. They loved each other very much and were well known in Dallas and Austin as a fun loving, entertaining couple. Jim always respected Rita as a fine judge of people. She could be intimidating; he could be almost pixyish. Together they made a fine pair. In his later years Jim became friend and benefactor to several gay men with AIDS who benefited greatly from his love and care.
Jim is survived by his sister Muriel Poulos, nephew James Poulos, dear friend Leslie Rollins and his partner Dave Bradley, and longtime friend Paul Coates. There will be a memorial service in Salado in late spring or summer. If you would like to honor Jim’s memory you may make a donation to any animal related charity of your choice; the Rita C. Pringle Scholarship Fund at the UT Law School; or to your local hospice care agency.
Paid Obituary
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Pfc. Jordan T. May
Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier that passed away at his family’s home Dec. 20 in Cuero, Texas.
Pfc. Jordan T. May, 25, of Cuero, Texas was on pre-deployment leave when a family member found him unconscious, and called for an ambulance. He was transported to a local hospital but could not be revived.
May entered the Army in August 2007 as a Cavalry Scout. He was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division since January 2007. His squadron was scheduled to deploy to Iraq early next year. At the time of his death May had completed a rigorous training regimen in preparation for deployment to include weapons training, vehicle gunnery and training simulating operations in Iraq at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La.
His medals and awards include the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
He is survived by his mother and father.
The cause of death has not been determined and the incident is under investigation.
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Pvt. Colman J. Meadows III
Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died Dec. 16 at Forward Operating Base Ramrod, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
Pvt. Colman J. Meadows III, 19, of Senoia, Ga., a Special Electronic Devices Repairer, entered the military in January 2008. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood,Texas since September 2008.
Meadows deployed to Afghanistan June 2008.
Pvt. Meadows awards and decorations include the, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.
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Christi Hanna Spradley
Memorial services for Christi Hanna Spradley were held Dec. 17, 2008, at Christ Episcopal Church with the Very Reverend M.L. Agnew, Jr. officiating. She died December 14, 2008.
Christi was born June 29, 1946 in Nacogdoches, Texas to Roy Smith Hanna and Neta Wagstaff Hanna. She attended Jacksonville Public Schools where she was a cheerleader, homecoming queen, and graduated second in her class. She then attended Stephen F. Austin State University where she met her husband, Randy. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, later earning her Masters of Education.
After Randy’s tour with the U.S. Army in Korea, the couple returned to Nacogdoches and soon Matthew Tucker was born. Christopher David arrived 2 years later. Christi served as the first president of the Nacogdoches Junior Forum, which later became the Junior League of Nacogdoches. The family relocated to the Tyler area in 1977.
In keeping with her love of the English language, Spradley taught English at both All Saints School and Tyler Junior College. She was a past president of the Mildred Floyd Garden Club and the owner of Biscuit Barrel Antiques in Tyler. She loved to read and was an active member of her book group. Sunday mornings were spent solving crossword puzzles, reading the paper, and watching Meet the Press. She enjoyed staying busy, bouncing from her nephews’ tennis matches and Red Hat events in Jacksonville with her mom to playing Mah Jongg and going to antique auctions. She always looked forward to visiting her sons and their families in Salado and Frisco
Even though she spent the last 19 months in a hard-fought battle against glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, Christi insisted on staying active and independent throughout the duration of her illness, continuing her travels and spending many weekends entertaining friends and family on the shore of Salado Creek. She was grateful for the help and support of her exceptional physicians, Drs. Arielle Lee and Paul Detweiler.
Christi will be remembered for her good–natured personality and her devotion to her family and friends. She was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. Those who knew her will never forget her laughter and her generous hugs. Christi Spradley embraced life with remarkable courage and grace through adversity as well as joy, enjoying the rewards of a loving family and a host of devoted friends whose memory of all of the moments with her will be treasured forever.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Tucker Randall Spradley.
Christi is survived by her mother, Neta Hanna, of Jacksonville; her son, Matt and daughter-in-law Kelly and her three beloved grandchildren, Parker Hanna, Tucker Jameson , and Jacquelyn McKinney Spradley of Frisco; her son, Chris and partner Will Lowery of Salado; her brother and sister-in-law, David and Becky Hanna and their sons Justin and Dylan , all of Jacksonville. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Linda Ray and her husband, Rex Ray of Pine Tree, and nieces Robin Carlton and Randee Ray; her sister–in-law, Carrol Spradley ,one nephew, Stephen Spradley, and many special cousins.
Honorary pallbearers are Joe Bill Belue, Jeff Buie, Wade Coody, Jim Denson, Mike Hopson, Cliff Hughes, Leonard Leifer, Chris Lindsey, Frank McClendon, Willie Redford, Preston Smith, Stan Smith, Tom Tyler, Mark Wagstaff, and Andy Wall.
At the family’s request, memorials in honor of Christi Spradley may be made in lieu of flowers to Hospice of East Texas.
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Jewell Elizabeth Lang
Services for Jewell Elizabeth Lang, 95, of Cedar Valley will be 10AM, December 12th at Cedar Valley Baptist Church. with Donnie Jackson and Richard Worden officiating.
Burial will be in Cedar Valley Cemetery.
Jewell Lang died December 7, 2008 at a nursing home in Belton.
She was born June 8, 1913 in Cedar Valley to Joe A. Jackson and Emmer Calder.
She attended the original Cedar Valley Elementary School, across from the current Cedar Valley Baptist Church.
Jewell married Walter H. Lang May, 1939. They were residents of Cedar Valley for 69 years.
One of the original members of the Cedar Valley Baptist Church and its oldest member, she was faithfully to the Friday Night Gospel Singing group.
She is preceded in death by her husband and daughter Alice Rachel Barnes.
Survivors include daughters, Mary Fay Hawthorne, Belton, Betty Ruth Shook, Temple, Ima Jewell McCoy, Belton and Dovey Marie Frtiz, Temple. Sons are Charlie Joe Yarbrough, Belton and Walter George Lang, Harker Heights.
Jewell was blessed with 22 grandchildren, 47 of great grandchildren and 13 of great great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Cedar Valley Baptist Church Building Fund, 12237 FM2843, Salado, TX. 76571.
Visitation will be 5-8PM, Thursday, December 11 at Cedar Valley Baptist Church, Salado.
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Ward Carroll
Salado- Funeral services for Ward Carroll, 71 of Salado were held Dec. 15 at Heartfield Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Joe Bentley officiated.
Mr. Carroll passed away thursday in a Temple hospital.
Ward was August 26, 1937 to William and Lillie Belle (Vann) Carroll in Gholson, Texas. He graduated from Salado High School in 1956 and attended a business college. Ward married Velda Buchanan on Christmas Eve in 1957. Mr. Carroll worked as a truck driver for more than 40 years before retiring in 1997. Ward was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved barbecuing and fish frying with friends and family.
Ward is survived by his wife, Velda Carroll of Salado; one son, Kevin Carroll and wife Jenny of Salado; two daughters, Vicki Hejl and hsuband Brad of Heidenheimer, Tammy Brooks and husband Steven of Temple; one brother, Earnest Carroll of Temple, two sisters, Opal Lawson of Coppers Cove, Mary Grimstead of Abiline; three granddaughters, Beverly Hejl of Heidenheimer, Helena Carroll of Salado, and Rebecca Carroll of Salado.
Heartfield Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials can be made to the Salado Volunteer Fire Department of charity of choice.
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Sam Price Gullatt, Jr.
Sam Price Gullatt Jr., a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed on November 29, 2008 in Dallas. His integrity, moral strength, and love have been an inspiration to his family, his church community, and to students and colleagues.
Sam grew up in Ruston, Louisiana and was born Dec. 20, 1921 the son of Sam P. Gullatt Sr and Ruby V. Hornsby with his three sisters and two brothers: Marjorie Lee Barnes, Virginia Borchelt, Elizabeth Sehon, John H. Gullatt and Benjamin F. Gullatt. During World War II he met Dorothy (Dottie) Chrystine Minnick, whom he married in 1948. Dottie passed on in 1978 and they are survived by Patricia G. Johnsrud and her husband Richard (Kirkland, Washington), Dowe D. Gullatt and his wife Pat, Mary Lou Kingsbery and her husband Guy, and William P. Gullatt (all of Austin, Texas). They are also survived by his five grandchildren: Tanner M. Johnsrud (Boston, Massachusetts), Chelsea Brïe Palmer (Oxnard, California), Ryan D. Kingsbery (Anchorage, Alaska), Mattie C. Gullatt (Austin), Austin G. Kingsbery (Austin). Sam married Charline Edwards of Ruston, Louisiana in 1983 and they resided in Bryan/College Station and Lufkin. Upon Charline’s passing in 2002 Sam moved to Salado. He married Olive Lambert of Austin and Dallas in April 2003 and he and Olive have lovingly shared these last five years together.
Sam graduated from Louisiana Tech cum laude with a degree in electrical engineering in 1942. He subsequently became a commissioned officer in the Navy without having attended the Naval Academy. As Commander Gullatt, he served with valor and distinction as Executive Officer and Engineering Officer (second and third in command) aboard the submarines U.S.S. Haddock and U.S.S. Mapiro in the Pacific during World War II. He served as Staff Commander Submarine Force Pacific Fleet. Sam received a Bronze Star for his service during his six war patrols. His citation noted his “excellent judgment, resourcefulness, and coolness.” He was an expert in sonar and missile defense, whose work on the subjects stood for decades.
During the war years, he became a Christian Scientist, and served for many years in the Christian Science church as a reader, a Sunday school teacher, and church board member. Following the War, Sam obtained graduate degrees from Georgia Tech and had a successful career in electrical engineering with General Electric, Tracor, and Rehler Reitzer and Johnson, and he consulted for a number of other firms. His work, which was often classified, took him everywhere from Santa Barbara to Saudi Arabia and Ithaca, NY to Austin. He was professor of electrical engineering at Louisiana Tech and Texas A&M; he was Teacher of the Year numerous times at both institutions. Sam insisted his students understand and practically apply the subject matter, not just answer test questions. He retired from Texas A&M in 1992. Sam was also an avid golfer and gardener. He was president of the Louisiana Camellia Society, and developed unique strands of camellias.
He is remembered by many friends and family including his wife, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, siblings, nieces, and nephews, for his moral character, adherence to principle, humility, love, and joy. All were touched by his generosity, graciousness, and genuineness.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Louisiana Tech or the school of your choice in Sam’s name. The greatest honor one can pay Sam is to be kind to, love, and help one another. A celebration of his life will be held at 1:30, Saturday December 20th in the Garden Center Building at Zilker Botanical Gardens, 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas.
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Linda Billingsley McCaleb
Belton- Funeral services for Linda Billingsley McCaleb, 64, of Temple will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18 at Calvary Baptist Church in Temple. Rev. Rick Reed, Rev. Ray Smith, and Rev. Tom Cordova will be officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery.
Mrs. McCaleb died Friday, Dec. 12 in a Temple hospital.
Linda was born Aug. 8, 1944 in Temple to Earnest Abram and Lucy Bell Mayes Billingsley. Linda married Frank Lynn McCaleb, Sr. Dec. 1983. Mrs. McCaleb worked security for many years. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Temple.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Earnest Billingsley; one sister, Edna Mae Billingsley.
Linda is survived by her husband; three sons, Jack Burgess of Temple, Travis Burgess of Temple, Frank McCaleb, Jr. of Houston; two daughters, Linda Burgess-Zeigler of Temple, Frances Bowman of Wichita Falls; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are under the direction of Heartfield Funeral Home in Belton.
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Jim Reed
Visitation and services for Jim Reed, 58, of Salado will be 10:30 AM Saturday December 13 at Broecker Funeral Home.
Jim Reed died December 10, 2008 at a local hospital.
He was born August 7, 1950 in Galveston, Tx. to Dr. James Elmer Reed, Jr. and Martha Pearl Sparks. He graduated from Madisonville High School in 1968 and was president of the student body. He graduated from the police academy in 1970.
Nov. 19, 1993 Jim married Janie Flanagin in Houston and eventually settled in Salado.
Jim was an insurance adjuster for Pilot Catastrophic, Inc., the largest company of its type in the United States. Jim worked the major hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other disasters around the country.
Prior to insurance adjusting, Jim owned a Fire and Water Restoration Repair business in Houston and was a member of the Bellaire Police and Harris Co. Constables Office for over 20 years.
Jim was a member of the United Methodist Church of Salado and the Rotary Club of Salado.
Jim is preceded in death by his mother and father.
Survivors include his wife and daughter, Kaitlyn Jane Reed of Salado; 2 sons: James Elmer Reed IV and Michael Patrick Reed, both of San Antonio; brothers: Lynn Reed of Madisonville, Tx. and Randy Reed of Sacue, Tx.; sister in laws: Michael Ann Spoor of Belton, Judy Ranley of Allen, Bette Patrica Nilson of, El Campo and brother in law John Thomas Flanagin of Friendswood, Tx.
Broecker Funeral Home of Salado is in charge of arrangements.
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Sfc. Pablo Colon-Vega
FORT HOOD, Texas - Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died Dec. 7 from causes unknown at this time.
Sfc. Pablo Colon-Vega, 36, of Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico was pronounced dead in Forth Worth after the Fort Worth Police Department was dispatched to his house.
Colon-Vega entered the military September 1992 and was assigned to the 120th Infantry Brigade, First Army West as a Healthcare Specialist since May 2007.
Sergeant First Class Colon-Vega’s decorations and awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.
The incident is under investigation.
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Capt. Robert Jose Yllescas
Fort Hood officials announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Capt. Robert Jose Yllescas, 31, of Lincoln, Neb., died Dec. 1 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., of wounds suffered Oct. 28 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit at Combat Outpost Keating, Afghanistan.
Yllescas entered the military in May 2001 as an Armor Officer. He was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division since August 2007.
He deployed to Afghanistan May 2008.
Captain Yllescas’ awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon.
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