Roberta “Bobbi” Joyce Wilde, age 67, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on February 13, 1959, in Orlando, Florida, to Robert Felix and Gloria Maye Kappes.
As the daughter of an Air Force father, Bobbi spent her childhood living in various places across the country. Shortly after high school, Bobbi answered the call to serve her country and proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1980.
During her distinguished military career, Bobbi served as a highly decorated nurse and exemplary Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer. Her years of service took her around the world, including assignments at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam and aboard the USS Mercy, the Navy’s renowned floating hospital ship that provided critical medical care throughout the Pacific. Following her overseas service, Bobbi continued her medical career at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, where she worked primarily in the transplant unit caring for countless patients with compassion and dedication.
After twenty years of honorable service, Bobbi retired from the United States Air Force in April of 2000. Even in retirement, her passion for helping others never faded, and she continued saving lives for a time through her work with an organ transplant organization.
Outside of her career, Bobbi found her greatest joy in caring for animals, especially her beloved four-legged companions, whom she loved wholeheartedly. She once even attempted to work with the larger animals at the San Antonio Zoo, though, as she laughingly admitted, lifting hay bales proved to be a little more challenging than expected. It became one of many cherished memories shared by those who knew and loved her.
Bobbi enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. She loved classic country music, faithfully watched every season of Survivor, and proudly remained a devoted Green Bay Packers fan through every season. If the Packers weren’t playing, she would happily cheer on the Minnesota Vikings instead.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Felix and Gloria Mae Kappes; her sister, Roxanne Faye Hart, who passed away in 2021; and her brother-in-law, David Brieden, who passed away in 2024.
Bobbi is survived by her sisters, Angela and Jerry Soma of Litchville, North Dakota; Merri Brieden of Houston, Texas; and Theresa and Mark Downing of Devine, Texas; her brother-in-law, Howard “Bill” Hart of Yancey, Texas; her nieces and nephews, Liza Soma, Robert Soma, Helen Howe, Mark Brieden, Jeremy Brieden, Joshua Brieden, Merideth Madar, Jamie Rangel, Chris Bean, Julie Bean, Nicole LaFond, and Doug Downing; along with numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
She is also survived by her very special friend, Valerie Oates of San Antonio, Texas, who was constantly by her side and was always her first phone call for everything.
Bobbi will be remembered for her servant’s heart, unwavering loyalty, sense of humor, and deep love for both people and animals. Her life of service, kindness, and compassion leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.
A celebration of life will be held at Calvary Grace Baptist Church in Devine, TX on Monday July 6, 2026, at 11am followed by lunch with all family and friends to share memories.
Author: admin
Local boys lasso their way to nationals!
Mando Gonzalez and Silo Calame Jaquez are ranked top 20 in the entire world for junior high rodeo.
By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Mando Gonzalez and Silo Calame Jaquez competed in a National event at Lazy E Arena against people from all over the world. The pair competed in the team roping event, also known as “heading and heeling.” Two mounted riders work in tandem to catch a steer. The “header” ropes the steer’s head or horns to lead it towards the “heeler” who then lassos the hind legs to immobilize it. The objective is to secure the steer in the fastest time possible.
“What a week!” said mom Meghan Gonzalez. “When we were told the boys made Nationals, we didn’t realize it was a worldwide competition. Six different countries, and the top four teams from 47 of the U.S. states…Very, VERY proud of the boys for making the short go! We didn’t have the finish we were hoping for but are still incredibly proud of them ranking 18th in the WORLD for JH rodeo.”
The boys won their Region, then won State and now placed in the top 20 of the world!
“Can’t wait to see where the future takes them!” mom adds.
Proud parents are Armando and Meghan Gonzalez (Silo Calame Jaquez is the son of the late Jose Jaquez-Calame.)
Proud grandparents are: Foard and Debbie Houston, David Calame, Marsha and Patrick Bourcier, Grandparents: Victor and Rosie Gonzalez from Laredo, and great grandmother Patricia Ann West of Devine.
Devine Speed AAU Track and Field Team Puts Small-Town Athletes on the Big Stage
Josh Gutierrez and Pierce Carrillo at the Regional Meet.
By Kristi Gentry
DEVINE, Texas — What began in 2024 as a way for a handful of local high school athletes to extend their track season has quickly grown into one of the area’s most exciting youth athletic programs.
Founded by Kristi Gentry, the Devine Speed AAU Track and Field Team started with just a few athletes looking to sharpen their skills beyond the UIL season and gain a competitive edge. In just two years, that vision has blossomed into a thriving program that serves athletes from across South Texas.
This season, Devine Speed welcomed more than 50 athletes between the ages of 10 and 18, along with several younger competitors under the age of 10. The team’s rapid growth reflects the increasing interest in year-round track and field opportunities for young athletes from rural communities.
The 2026 AAU Outdoor season concluded with an impressive list of accomplishments. 18 Devine Speed athletes qualified for the AAU Regional Meet, showcasing the program’s depth and talent.
Among the team’s standout performers, Brooklyn Saenz earned a coveted qualification to the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Iowa, one of the nation’s premier youth track and field competitions. Meanwhile, 3x UIL State Track Qualifier Rowdy Esparza qualified for and competed at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in Eugene, Oregon, competing against some of the top high school athletes in the country.
Devine Speed draws athletes from several surrounding communities, including Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Pearsall, Cotulla, and Carrizo Springs, creating opportunities for young competitors who may not otherwise have access to elite offseason training and competition.
The program offers both outdoor and indoor track seasons, allowing athletes to continue developing year-round while building confidence, discipline, and friendships across school district lines.
What started as an effort to help a few athletes improve has become much more—a program that is creating opportunities, building champions, and proving that small-town athletes can compete on the biggest stages.
As Devine Speed continues to grow, the team is not only developing faster runners and stronger competitors but also helping putSouth Texas Track and Field on the map, one race and event at a time.
A special thanks to our All Volunteer Coaches, Kristi Gentry, Matthew Saenz, Matt Martinez, Cynthia Calame, Candace Esparza and Jazmine Olivas.
John Steffens at the discus event.
Malia and Makenna Esparza.
Liberty Ritchey and Jazlyn Olivas are having a strong season for the Devine Speed AAU team.
Devine Speed’s 10U 4×100 team (left to right) Landrey Martinez, Ainsley Martinez, Brooklyn Saenz and Jolene Medina.
Warhorse Rowdy Esparza competed at Nike Outdoor Nationals.
Better subdivision revenue bond market indicates confidence in Medina County
Medina County commissioners led by County Judge Keith Lutz, center, review a list of line item transfers during the commissioners court meeting Monday. (Photo by Anton Riecher.)
By Anton Riecher
Improved market reception for revenue bonds to support infrastructure and amenities for phase two of the $6.7 million Haby Farms subdivision near Castroville indicates stronger investor confidence in Medina County subdivisions, financial advisors told Medina County commissioners Monday.
Jack McLiney of SAMCO Capital Markets said the latest bond sale netted much improved figures over the previous sale covering phase one in 2024.
“That reflects the perceived risk by investors in the market for Medina County PID (public improvement district) bonds,” McLiney said. “They are not seeing as much risk and that is reflected in our interest rate.”
In finance, municipal market data or MMD refers to a benchmark yield curve that represents the average yields of high-grade, AAA-rated municipal bonds across various maturities. While phase one Haby Farms PID bonds sold at 211 basis points over MMD, bonds for phase two sold at 143 basis points over MMD, McLiney said.
A Public Improvement District (PID) is a designated geographic area created by a city or county. Property owners in the subdivision pay a special assessment to fund roadways, landscaping, and parks that directly benefit their community.
On a motion…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Experts update locals on Ag issues
By Anton Riecher
A workshop on protecting herd profitability conducted in Hondo Monday by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension focused on controlling the pasture mealybug as an emerging issue and the potential impact of the New World Screwworm. The presentations explained everything from the biology of the invasive species to practical herd monitoring, wound protection, reporting procedures, controls on the movement of cattle from county-to-county.
Animals should be checked at least every two-to-three days to catch infestations while still small and easier to treat. Newborn calves and recently calved…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
City of Devine’s “Lift”stations need work, engineer warns
By Anton Riecher
Urgent Assessment…Richard Gibbons with Texas-based E3 Entegral Solutions, a design build contractor and engineering firm retained by the City of Devine to develop a city infrastructure assessment. The city’s most urgent needs according to the assessment presented June 16 to Devine City Council include two lift stations, work on the aeration basin at the wastewater treatment plant and a…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Man rescued using Jaws of Life
The driver of this pickup truck was trapped inside. Photo by Lauren Maleske.
y Kayleen Holder
Editor
Lytle and Natalia Firefighters responded to terrible wreck this past Wednesday night where the driver of a pickup truck ended up underneath an 18 wheeler that was parked at the southbound I-35 rest…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Several rescued in recent floods
This photo was taken just moments after floodwaters came rushing into Hondo Creek by a resident who watched the dry creek bed seemingly fill within minutes. Photo by Fawn Schott, who said floodwaters reached this part of the creek south of Hwy 90 near Hondo around 10:23 am Saturday.
By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Responders made several swift water rescues from Mico, Hondo, and Rio Medina area where responders were able to rescue a victim stranded in floodwaters after seeing him being swept off the top of his car. Overall, there were around a dozen calls for drivers stranded in floodwaters, though only a few required rescue. Thankfully, due to the efforts of responders from Medina and aid from responders across Texas, we had a good outcome.
“They are top notch. We are blessed to have them here in Medina County,” said Sheriff Randy Brown of the crews who made several rescues this weekend.
Medina County Emergency Manager, Mark Chadwick, said the rescues began around 3am in the northeast part of the county, but by the afternoon the bigger problems were in the Castroville area as floodwaters came down from San Geronomio Creek and into the Medina River.
“When that water got to Castroville, that’s when we had a bigger problem, with such a vast area flooding,” Chadwick said in a quick interview Tuesday.
That flooding…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
City goes for $46K concrete solution on Colonial Parkway
By Anton Riecher
A motion on $46,750 project to concrete patch Colonial Parkway near Oak Hill was approved unanimously by the the Devine City Council June 16. A low spot where rainwater collects has repeatedly damaged an asphalt topping at that location.
As a permanent solution, the proposed repair will included a 170-foot by 25-foot concrete section that is not expected to solve the flooding but will reduce the repeated asphalt replacement by making the road more durable…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!
Students receive scholarships from Rotary Club of Medina County
President Johnette Dixon presented Jeremy Steinbrunner (Jr.) of Devine with his $1,000 award at a Rotary Club meeting.
The Rotary Club of Medina County awarded $8,200 in scholarships to area students during the month of May. Students from multiple county communities were awarded scholarships – two students from Medina Valley ISD, two from Devine ISD, three from Hondo ISD, and one from Lytle ISD.
Mikaela Trejo and Zamyra Lightsey of Hondo both received $1,000, Jeremy Steinbrunner (Jr.) and Briar Pareson of Devine both received $1,000, Collin Sprenger of Lytle received $1,000. Sabrina Rodriguez of Hondo received the vocational scholarship – $1,200, Nicholas Riff received the Tim Gillis Merit scholarship – $1,000, and Kaleigh Lewis received the Ann Peden Merit scholarship – $1,000 – scholarship.
Scholarships, and other club projects, are funded through our Hometown Heroes BBQ Event in October which serves both as a fundraiser and an event to honor the counties’ first responders. The first responders are treated to a catered meal, musical entertainment, a vendor fair, kids activities, and in 2026, we are adding a car show. At the same time, BBQ teams compete in a Champions Barbeque Alliance (CBA) authorized event to earn points towards the state BBQ championship.
Linda Bohlen, Foundation Chair, presented Briar Parson of Devine with his $1,000 award; Briar’s mom, Carlu, is also pictured.
The three Hondo ISD awards – the vocational scholarship – $1,200, the Tim Gillis Merit scholarship – $1,000, and the Ann Peden Merit scholarship – $1,000 – scholarships were presented by President Johnette Dixon to Sabrina Rodriguez, Nicholas Riff, and Kaleigh Lewis, respectively.
Linda Bohlen also presented Collin Sprenger of Lytle with his $1,000 award.