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Ramona (Mona) V. Gallegos

Our loving mother, grandma, sister, and friend. Ramona (Mona) V. Gallegos went to be with our Lord on April 1, 2023, at the age of 87.
Ramona was born on September 18, 1935 in Dilley, Texas to parents Maria Luz Del Real and Simon Velasquez. With her immeasurable inner strength, Ramona created her own path. She learned early in life to overcome hardships. Her life philosophy was “Do what makes you happy” and “ Lo que Dios quiera.” Ramona devoted her life to supporting her family, facing life’s deepest struggles with love and faith. She delivered the San Antonio Express-News in the Devine area for over 40 years. She also worked various jobs to take care of her children’s needs. Ramona created a safe and loving home. She never feared hard work as she began to work at the tender age of 7.
Later in life, Ramona was a facilitator in her church retreats (School of Evangelism- St. Andrew) and an avid member of the Christian Mother’s Organization. She treasured spending time with her church members and sisters after mass.
Ramona is now reunited in heaven with her husband, Eliodoro Gallegos, her parents, Maria Luz Del Real and Simon Velasquez, and her brother, Margarito Velasquez.
Ramona is survived by her children; Ermalinda Aleman, Ernestina Wilburn (Woodrow), and Valdo Gallegos (Gracie). Grandchildren; Angela Aleman, Bronson Wilburn, Brian Gallegos, and three great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings include Amelia Samarrippa, Robert Velasquez, Visente Velasquez, Gloria Ballesteros, Mary Velasquez, Lydia Ochoa, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Primrose Funeral Services from 5 P.M. until 9 PM, with a Rosary recited at 7 P.M. on Thursday, April 13, 2023. Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 10 A.M. with interment to follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.
Services are being conducted by Primrose funeral Services in Devine, Texas. Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the online guestbook may do so at www.primrosefuneralservices.com.

Larry Alan Lacy

Larry Alan Lacy, 80, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2023, in the company of his family following a mercifully brief battle with cancer.
Larry was born on February 2, 1943, in San Diego, CA to Neola and Thomas Clyde Lacy.  He graduated from Devine High School in 1961, and married his high school sweetheart, Stephanie Malone Lacy, on June 8, 1963.  Larry earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas in 1967.  Larry chose to pursue the ministry, and was elected a Deacon in the United Methodist Church in 1967.  In 1970, he earned a Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University and was elected an Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1971.
Larry dedicated his life to the ministry and praising God through helping others, and with his loving wife Stephanie, served churches in the Central Texas Conference, Southwest Texas Conference, and Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church for almost six decades.  He began preaching as a student pastor in Thrall, TX while attending Southwestern University, and later served Methodist Churches in Ennis, Oak Grove, Bertram, Leander, Oakalla, Hallettsville, Lampasas, Edinburg, Trinity San Antonio, St. John’s Corpus Christi, Fredericksburg, and Memorial Austin.  Following his retirement, he agreed to serve as a pastor for a small congregation at St. Paul Methodist Church just outside Austin, where he continued to preach the gospel every Sunday until he became physically unable to do so several years ago. 
Larry had a beautiful strong singing voice, and his voice could almost always be heard over every other voice in the congregation on Sunday mornings. He and Stephanie loved to sing duets in church and performed at dinner musicals and other musical productions throughout their careers.  Larry also loved to travel, whether it involved taking youth groups on numerous ski trips to Colorado, camping at Big Bend, or traveling to other countries such as Israel, Germany, France, Austria, Italy and Russia. Many of these trips were taken with friends and church members, and created lasting and loving memories.
Larry was an avid reader, sometimes reading several books a week.  He also loved cars, and often said that if he had not been a minister, he probably would have been a car salesman!  He had a special affinity for his Ford trucks! He loved spending time at his lake house on Lake LBJ,  and enjoyed few things more than pulling his kids behind the boat.  He also loved his pug dogs, who, as great judges of character, loved him back. 
Most of all, Larry was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, and he will always be remembered for his kind, caring heart and his compassionate soul.  He is survived by his wife of almost sixty years, Stephanie Malone Lacy, son Jeff Lacy and wife Gina of Colleyville, TX, son Steve Lacy and wife Wendy of Arlington, TX, son Paul Lacy and wife Dawn of Leander, TX, and daughter Kaye Collins and husband Michael of Corpus Christi, TX, grandchildren  Immanuel Lang, Tiffany White, Kalvin Pomplitz, Chris Lacy, Shelby Hedrick, Lauren Lacy, Jay Lacy, David Collins, Sam Lacy, Anna Belle Lacy, Sydney Lacy, sister Edie Buffington, and five great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank numerous caretakers from Isle at Cedar Ridge, St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center and Hospice Austin for their care and compassion these last few weeks.  The family also thanks all of the many friends and family members who so lovingly supported him.

David Anthony Rihn Sr.

David Anthony Rihn Sr., 84, of Devine, Texas passed away on March 28, 2023.
He was born in Devine, Texas in June of 1938. He married Julia Ann Wilburn in 1957 in Hondo, Texas. He was employed with City Public Service in San Antonio and was a member of the Texas National Guard. Later he was self-employed with real estate, ranching, and farming.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Julia Ann Wilburn Rihn; parents Frank Rihn Sr. and Hilda Bendele Rihn; sisters Velma Billings, Anna Mae Mumme, and Frances Thornell; brothers Arnold Rihn, James Rihn, Walter Rihn, and Frank Rihn Jr.; and granddaughter Kaylla Brooke Rihn.
He is survived by his children; David Rihn Jr., Laura Jaquez, Anne Petmecky, Keith Rihn, Paul Rihn and Philip Rihn; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Services were held on Thursday, April 6, 2023, with a Rosary being recited at 10:30 A.M. and Mass starting at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devine, Texas. Visitation followed the service beginning at 12:00 P.M. at Primrose Funeral Services of Devine, Texas until 1:00 P.M. services will concluded at the funeral home.
Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the online guestbook may do so at www.primrosefuneralservices.com

Mary G. Rizo

Mary G. Rizo gained her angel wings Thursday, April 6, 2023, 14 days short of her 92nd birthday, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born April 20, 1931 in Buda, Texas, to Ernesto Chavera and Elvira Mendez.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband, Pete M. Rizo, Brothers Lucio Chavera, Vale Chavera, Delfino Chavera, Benito Chavera, Ferman Chavera, Jesse Chavera, and Ray Chavera. Sisters Adela Villareal, Eloisa Castillo and Ramona Guajardo and Granddaughter Elisa G. Pina.
She is survived by two brothers, Juan and Mary Chavera of Lakeview, Michigan, and Ralph Chavera of Belvidere, Illinois; Sons Frank and Robin Garza of Devine, Texas, and Abel and Cynthia Garza of Moore, Texas; Daughters Elida and Refugio Maza of East Jordan, Michigan, Florinda and Steve Mares of Woodstock, Illinois, Paula Ayala of Crystal Lake, Illinois, and Gloria Garza of Moore, Texas. Twenty-one grandkids, Four Step Grandkids, Forty-six Great Grandkids, Twenty-three Great great grandkids, and many nephews and nieces.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 16, 2023, between 5:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. with a Rosary recited at 7:00 P.M. at Primrose Funeral Services Devine, Texas. Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 17, 2023, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, with interment to follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic cemetery.
Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the online guestbook may do so at www.primrosefuneralservices.com
Arrangements are under the direction of Primrose Funeral Services, 303 W. College Ave., Devine, Texas 78016, (830) 663-4445.

Kathleen Ann Lamon Kohlleppel

Kathleen Ann Lamon Kohlleppel of La Coste, passed away at her home on April 3, 2023 at the age of 85. She was born May 25, 1937 on the family farm near La Coste, Texas to Joseph Hubert Lamon and Lorene Josephine Jungman Lamon.
In 1955, Kathleen graduated from La Coste High School. After graduation, she worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone for twelve years. On November 4, 1967, Kathleen married Henry Charles Kohlleppel at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in La Coste. They were blessed with fifty-five years of marriage and two daughters. Kathleen sang in the Our Lady of Grace adult choir for over twenty years.
Survivors include her husband, Henry Kohlleppel; daughters and sons-in-law, Monica and Tim Rihn, Stephanie and Christopher Haan; grandchildren, Jacob and Tiffany Rihn, William Rihn, Ben and Hayla Rihn, Nicholas Haan, Meghan Haan, Julia Rihn, and Joseph Haan; great-grandchildren, Carter Bateman and baby Rihn on the way; in-laws, Margaret Lamon, Ted and Ann Kohlleppel, Ralph and Karen Kohlleppel, James and Veronica Kohlleppel, and Iris Kohlleppel.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Patrick Lamon; in-laws, Paul Kohlleppel, Rose and Weldon Tondre.
Visitation will be Monday, April 10, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, with the Holy Rosary recited at 6:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Cemetery in La Coste, Texas.
Memorials may be made in Kathleen’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Building Fund, or the charity of your choice.
Kathleen’s family would like to thank Bristol Hospice for the loving care they gave to her.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. Visit www.tondre-guinn.com

George Joseph Horvath

George Joseph Horvath, 79, Natalia, TX, entered eternal rest on Monday, April 3, 2023.
He is preceded in death by his father Carl Horvath & Mother Maria Magdalena Molivar Horvath.
George is survived by his wife Alma Ornelas Horvath; sister Andrea Horvath Schmidt (Eberhardt) (Germany); aunts and cousin and extended family Gilbert R Ornelas; Mary Ornelas Montelongo (Carlos); Inez R Ornelas (Debbie); Ancelmo Ornelas (Sonia) and many nieces, nephews and Cousins.
George was born in Komaron, Hungary on March 19, 1944. In 1956, George’s family left Hungary during the Russian invasion. Ultimately, George’s family settled in Caracas, Valenzuela. At the age of 14, George arrived in the United States. He made it his goal to better his life. George obtained his bachelor’s degree at New York State College. He earned his Master’s and Doctorate degree at Florida State University in Marine Oceanography (1973).
George began his working career with the State of Florida. He later accepted a job in Washington DC with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) working in the Water Department. In 1979, he relocated to Region 6, EPA, in Dallas, Texas. In 2012, George retired from the Federal Government after 33 years. Simultaneously, George volunteered for the Dallas Police Department Reserve Unit for 23 years earning the rank of Reserve Lieutenant. In addition, George was well traveled. He was awarded the Congressional Antarctic Service Medal in 1974 for his participation in a United States sponsored exhibition to Antarctica.
In 2012, after his retirement George moved to Natalia. He volunteered at the Devine Area Thrift Store and also served as Secretary to the Devine Lions Club George loved his home and his fur babies (Puli & Polo). He will be missed by many. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your charity of choice.
Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the online guestbook may do so at www.primrosefuneralservices.com

Recharting the Navigational Points

Lately I had the chance to spend some time with an exceptional Lady that I have known OF her whole life, but did not really get to know until recently.
Being a decade and a half older than her means that in our “earlier” days we could recognize each other on sight but not really interact in a meaningful way.
Like many of us the Pathway of Events in Life caused her to deviate from some of the preferred direction of her passions and callings.
Now due to other changes, she can again seek out those things with more time and energy. But also like so many getting those “Compass Points” reestablished is proving harder than she imagined.
My efforts at support focused on encouraging her to look at the revisions from the long-term view and to be patient with the readjustments to this new life.
We spoke of coping tools and the value to showing the same type of kindness upon herself that she has bestowed on so many others.
I left the visit with a prayer that my words were of use and she will be able, with God’s help, to correctly rechart the direction Life will take her from this stage on.
For Karen

Fill Medina Lake

We got some decent rain last week…bout 0.9 inches out Black Creek way. Got my yard fertilizer out at just the right time. Got 3.5 inches so far this year. Hallylouya!! Now pray for a turd floatin gully washer that will fill Medina Lake. Hope everyone had a Blessed Resurrection Sunday. We had a house full but, still a lot missing.
I am sure that everyone is looking forward to April 15th. The day that we get to send money to the Government so that the illegal aliens can have a means of income and we can continue the flood of money used to fund countries that hate us. I had to send them an extra $1,408 on top of the $12,367 what was already taken from my paycheck. Thought that our Supreme Leader said that people who made under $400,000 would not see an increase (and I made way, way under that amount)….what a relayer of falsehoods.
With all the legal (?) actions surrounding potential favorites not of the current ruling party, looks like we are a couple steps away from a Banana Republic system of government where the opposition disappears. Seems like we are living in a country headed for the likes of the one our Founding Fathers fought to escape.
See where the City Council decided to remove the Drainage Bond issue from the ballot. Drainage has been an issue since Colonial Oaks was developed. Seems the developers forgot to provide drainage to a couple low areas that would be used by a farmer or rancher nowadays as a stock tank. Underground culverts or more streets like Upson seem to be needed to properly drain the problem areas.
Looked at the Commissioners Court Agenda but, other than the usual business, nothing notable transpired. Considering the weather, the 4 wheel drive nuts and the theft of signage, looks like the Pct 4 Commissioner and crew finished paving CR 777 and it turned out excellent. Vehicles can now pass each other without knocking off mirrors and there are no potholes to dodge.
Lewis Stroud sent me a bunch of Kamela Harris quotes the other day…tried to read them but, all I got was a headache from trying to make sense out of them. Thanks a lot Stroud.
I checked on my guns the other day. They had not decided to run amok or take off and shoot someone. In fact, the lazy things just laid there. Didn’t do nothing but attain room temperature. They been trained. It’s the lunatics and those not raised proper that make them functional in the wrong way resulting in the tragedies we see on the news.

Cowtown

Here is your weekly report from Lytle P.D., straight from the desk of Chief Richey Priest (for whatever that is worth). Your officers responded to 51 calls for service last week and conducted 79 traffic stops. Of those 79 stops, 70 resulted in a citation and 9 were either verbal or written warnings.
Property Crimes: Only 1 reported, a complainant reported her Apple iPhone and watch were taken by a friend. It involved a dispute over an unpaid debt. The property was recovered.
Arrests: Officers made 3 arrests last week. #1 – While Ofc. L. Diaz was investigating a hit-run accident, he determined a female witness had a felony warrant. She was wanted out of Atascosa Co. on an Evading Arrest w/MV. #2 – Ofc. J. Cortez conducted a traffic stop for a reckless driver and arrested the male driver for D.W.I. #3 – Ofc. J. Cortez, assisted by Ofc. L. Diaz was dispatched to the Sonic Drive-In for a male asleep behind the wheel in the drive-thru. He was arrested for D.W.I.
Last Monday, Sgt. David Lopez and I headed out to Forth Worth for the Annual Texas Police Chief’s Association Conf. We had an event filled 2 and ½ days. There were some great speakers and topics covered. So, what is big on the minds of Texas Police Chiefs? Well, recruiting and retention of police officers is a big topic, not only in Texas but in the rest of the country as well. We also spent time with vendors and catching up on the latest and greatest advancements in law enforcement. Some local area chiefs we ran into up there included Chief Kohler from Castroville, Chief Soza from Hondo, Chief Delgado from Dilley (who was also a presenter), and Chief Ronald Sanchez and his crew from Pleasanton.
The breakfast buffet at the Omni was $28 a person, so Sgt. Lopez and I hit a Waffle House. It was his first time at a Waffle House, and that alone would make the trip memorable. Oh my, the look in David’s eyes when I ordered double hashbrowns (still only .50 extra) with my order.
I even got my dad to meet us and buy lunch one day, he drove over from Paris. I tried to borrow some money from him, but he said “Friend, I’m broke” as he drove off in his new pickup. I have been hearing that for as long as I can remember. Here is a little family trivia, I do not have a lot, so I must dig deep but here we go: My dad played on the locally “famous” 1964 Canton Eagle Football team (he was #72). They went undefeated and were not scored on in all 10 regular season games.
Sadly, I learned that retired Atascosa Co. Sheriff Tommy Williams passed away over the weekend. He was a legend and he helped me tremendously when I first became the chief back in late 1999.
I have been told about 200 kids attended the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday. It was another success; the weather was great.
The next big city event will be the fireworks show on July 4th! I will have more details in the future. I enjoyed the addition of the food trucks at the event last year. While I don’t seek out food trucks, I find them irresistible when they are right in front of me.

Easter Bunny Assistant

We had Easter a little early this year so we could spend more time together rather than rushing off to other gatherings on the big day. I think it’s safe to say, our kids have no shortage of candy. I did remember to order some of the eggs filled with toy dinosaurs so there isn’t so much candy, but of course, there’s still too much. Funny thing is the kids and adults probably love the colorful hardboiled eggs just as much.
Grandma stuffed a few golden eggs with $10’s and even a $20, so that ensured the teenage grandchild enjoyed the hunt as much as the toddlers. We were at my mom’s house which has a big glass window and as I was helping the Easter Bunny hide eggs (sneakily I thought), I turned around to see our two toddlers standing at the window staring right at me laughing. So Aunt Brittany assured them I was just helping the Easter Bunny that day. Because you know “his legs are not that long and he gets so tired of hopping everywhere in one day.”
Mom, aunt, sister, fairy God mother, Rapunzel, I have a lot of titles….and you can add Easter Bunny Assistant to that list, officially.