Category: Obituaries

Leatrice Joy Wood passed away September 12, 2026, at the age of 96. She was born Oct. 15, 1929, in Needville, Texas to the late Lawrence and Lena Cloudt Boone. Leatrice graduated from Pearsall High School in 1947. She had a brief career working for a credit union in San Antonio. She then dedicated her life to loving and caring for her family in Devine.
Leatrice had a kind, generous spirit. She enjoyed country music and hymns, crafts and sewing, and sharing treasures with others. She loved bluebonnets and all things blue. In her final years, she treasured the company of her beloved dog Angel.
Throughout her life, Leatrice loved her Lord and Savior. She was a devoted member of Calvary Grace Baptist Church. Leatrice was deeply cherished by her family and friends. She will be carried in their hearts forever.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Clarice and Bill Hutchison of Seattle, and daughter-in-law Polly Wood and granddaughter Amanda Wood of Devine. She was preceded in death by William “Bill” Wood, the love of her life and husband of 37 years; her son, Randy Wood; and sisters, Violet Doyal and Lois Roberson.
A graveside memorial will be held Thursday, September 17, 11:00 a.m., led by Rev. Johnny Melancon at Evergreen Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank the loving congregation of Calvary Grace for their care and prayers for her in her final years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, wildflower.org/donate, or the Devine Food Bank Ministry, devinefoodpantry.com/donate.

Michele Kay Keyser of San Angelo, Texas, passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
Michele was born in Stuttgart, Germany, while her father, Sylvan Richard Cargile, was serving overseas with the United States Army. She grew up in South Texas and graduated from Natalia High School in 1981, where she was a cheerleader.
Her early life was not always easy, but Michele learned how to keep going. She treasured her grandparents on both sides of her family and carried those relationships with her throughout her life. Her maternal grandmother, Doris Richardson, whom Dakota knew as “Big G,” left a particularly visible mark on the way Michele cared for others. Big G was the kind of woman who fed whoever came through the door, never turned someone away, and always found room for one more person. Years later, Michele built much the same kind of home.
Faith was also part of Michele’s life from an early age. Her father was a Baptist preacher, and she grew up attending Baptist church and church camp. Her faith deepened during her years in Albuquerque, when she was baptized there. In later years, she attended Rafter Cross Church near Grape Creek.
Michele married Dale Andrew Keyser in 1989. They shared many years of life and family together and moved to Albuquerque in 1997. Even as life changed over the years, they remained in regular contact, and Michele continued to take pride in the years and history they shared.
She worked a number of jobs throughout her life, including Dairy Queen in Lytle, Albertsons in Albuquerque, and Walmart, among others, and she studied business for a time. But the work for which people will remember her most was rarely the work that appeared on a paycheck. Michele spent much of her life taking care of people.
After returning to West Texas, Michele and her son, Dakota, made their home in Levelland. That home became far more than a place where the two of them lived. It became a gathering place.
Family came through. Children came through. Friends came through. During Dakota’s college years, young musicians filled the house. They rehearsed, stayed over, ate, laughed, and became part of Michele’s extended family. When Michele was home, she cooked for them. People who came from very different families and backgrounds learned quickly that at Michele’s house they would be fed and treated as though they belonged there.
She helped care for Dallas Nicole Carr and remained a steady presence in the lives of Aspen, Madison, Brooklyn, and Lincoln as they grew up around her. She followed their lives with pride and loved watching the children she had known become young adults. She also cared for older relatives when illness or age made them dependent on others, including helping care for her paternal and maternal grandmothers near the end of their lives.
Michele did not draw hard lines around who counted as family. Blood, marriage, stepfamily, friends, and children who simply needed another adult in their corner all seemed to find a place with her. If she loved you, the technical definition of the relationship mattered very little.
She was soft-spoken and generally reserved. She was not someone who needed the attention of a room. Her love was much more practical than that. If someone needed a meal, a child watched, a bill paid, a place to stay, or help getting through a difficult stretch, Michele’s first instinct was usually to figure out what she could do. Sometimes she helped people even when doing so cost her more than was easy or sensible. Taking care of people was simply part of her nature.
Food was one of the ways she did it best. Michele was an exceptional Southern cook. Dakota especially remembers her steak fingers with black-eyed peas and bacon, mashed potatoes, and whatever greens or vegetables she decided belonged beside them that day. Her coconut cake became one of her best-known dishes, something she made for birthdays, celebrations, and people she wanted to make feel special. A full kitchen and people around the table suited her.
She also loved to travel and wished she had been able to do more of it. She enjoyed trips to lakes and Galveston, the Grand Canyon, Fort Worth, Fredericksburg, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and anywhere else that let her see something different. She was curious about other places and cultures and was especially fascinated by the Amish. A trip did not have to be extravagant to make Michele happy. She simply enjoyed going somewhere, seeing something new, and sharing it with people she loved.
There were also the unmistakably Michele things. She loved purple and would choose it for almost anything if given the chance. She collected wind chimes and apple-themed decorations for her kitchen. She enjoyed a strawberry Frappuccino from Starbucks. She loved her dogs and considered them part of the family.
Oscar, her “fur grandbaby,” held an especially important place in her heart. Michele rarely passed up an opportunity to babysit him, and the two became constant companions. During her final days in hospice, Oscar stayed close to her, lying beside her and in her lap as he had so many times before. She also loved Crosby and Noah.
At the center of Michele’s life was motherhood.
Her daughter, Sylvanna Lee Keyser, was born on July 12, 1999, and died seven days later on July 19. It was a loss Michele carried for the rest of her life. July remained a difficult month, and Sylvanna was never forgotten. Michele’s wish was that, after her own death, her ashes be scattered at Sylvanna’s grave.
Her son, Dakota, was her pride and joy. No one who knew Michele had to wonder how she felt about him because she told them. She followed his work and accomplishments, worried about his airplanes, bragged about him freely, and kept friends and family updated on whatever he or Oscar had most recently accomplished. She was enormously proud of the man her son became.
Michele understood adversity, but it never completely hardened her. When life changed, she found a way forward. When someone else needed help, she made room. In that way, she carried forward the spirit of Big G’s home: there was food for another person, room for another chair, and a place for someone who needed somewhere to land.
Later in life, Michele chose San Angelo as her home because she deeply wanted to be near her father. She treasured that time with him and remained closely connected to the family she loved.
Michele is survived by her son, Dakota Richard Keyser of Ralls, Texas, and Sierra Henson; her mother, Michele Peggy Hibdon of Natalia, Texas; her father, Sylvan Richard Cargile of San Angelo, Texas; her husband, Dale Andrew Keyser of Ralls, Texas; her brothers, Greg Cargile of Natalia, Texas, Gary Cargile of Holiday Lakes, Texas, and Toby Cargile of Devine, Texas; her sister by choice, Whitney Madden of Tyler, Texas; and a large extended family of relatives, friends, and young people whom she loved and cared for as her own.
She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Sylvanna Lee Keyser, her grandparents, and other loved ones who remained dear to her throughout her life.
A memorial service celebrating Michele’s life will be held Thursday, September 17, at 11:30 a.m. at Southland Baptist Church, 4300 Meadow Creek Trail in San Angelo, Texas. A luncheon will follow the service.

George Preston Harris, a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor, friend, successful retail merchant, entrepreneur, pilot, and true Texas gentleman, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2026, at the age of 90. A longtime resident of Lytle, Texas, George was born on August 6, 1936, to George Leslie Harris and Mamie Lou Harris, and was the youngest of their three children.
George is survived by his daughter, Jolinda Harris and her partner, John McEntyre; his son, George Scott Harris and his partner, Jess Sanders; his grandson, Waco Richards and his wife Julie Richards; his granddaughter, Tyler Dougherty and her husband Clayton Dougherty; his grandson, Jace Harris; his granddaughter, Jocelyn Harris; and his great-grandchildren, Kendall Slattery, Rocker Dougherty, Weslynn Dougherty, and Cooper Harris.
George was raised in a family where hard work was not simply taught—it was lived. His father was a saddle maker and a skilled craftsman in the repair of boots and shoes. George learned the trade from his father, although he would jokingly say he learned it “under protest.” Those early years became the foundation for a remarkable life built upon craftsmanship, determination, honesty, and an unwavering work ethic.
Determined to earn his way through college, George worked as a roustabout in the oilfields. He attended Texas A&I University in Kingsville and later Southwest State Teachers College before answering the call to serve his country. He enlisted in the United States Navy during the Korean War and served from 1953 through 1961, including active duty through 1958. His military years gave him the opportunity to travel and experience much of the world, experiences that would remain an important part of his life.
Upon returning home, George expected to continue his education. Instead, circumstances called him back to the family saddle shop, where his father needed his help. At only 24 years of age, following his father’s death, George took over the family business and embarked on a journey that would transform a small saddle shop into a thriving South Texas retail enterprise.
George entered the retail business at a level that many would have been afraid to attempt. With a loan from a local banker who believed in him, he purchased an existing building and began his retail business with just five pairs of boots. He sold those boots and used the proceeds to purchase more. In 1961, he purchased the old Masonic Lodge building next door for storage, allowing the business to expand its inventory and services.
Through years of hard work, determination, honesty, and genuine relationships with his customers, George built a loyal clientele and a growing enterprise. By January 1972, his inventory had grown to approximately 1,000 pairs of boots. He constructed a new building on IH-35 and moved the entire operation into what became Harris Western Center where he sold a full line of western wear.
In the years that followed, George expanded his western wear business to seven locations throughout South Texas, including stores in Pearsall, Uvalde, Floresville, Boerne, and two locations in San Antonio.
George believed that success was not a matter of asking, “How can I afford it?” but rather, “Be resourceful and find a way to get it done.” He believed in giving his word and keeping it. He understood that difficulties were simply roadblocks to be worked around, and he accepted responsibility for his own success. His philosophy was straightforward: work hard, be honest, be trustworthy, persevere, and believe in yourself.
He also believed deeply in his employees and was devoted to their success because they were the “face of the business.”
George wanted every customer to feel welcome and eager to return. When asked about his secret for success he once said, “It’s simple. Find out what your customers want and then find a way to give it to them.”. For George, one of the most fulfilling aspects of his life’s work was simply “pleasing people.”
His entrepreneurial spirit extended beyond his retail stores. George established EZ Pull Trailers, a retail trailer sales business, Rodeo Air, a small aircraft business, and he developed mobile home communities in Lytle and Poteet, continuing his tradition of creating businesses that served the communities around him.
But as successful as George was in business, his family was the true light of his life.
He married Marylou Irvin, and together they built a family of which George was immensely proud. His children were not only his children, but also his partners in life and business. Jolinda and Scott worked alongside their father from their high school years, and George credited their dedication and hard work as essential to the success of the family businesses.
George was blessed with four grandchildren who brought him tremendous joy and four great-grandchildren who were a particular source of pride and happiness.
Outside of his family and business, George devoted countless hours to organizations and causes that mattered deeply to him.
A longtime volunteer with the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, George began volunteering in the 1970s. He enjoyed participating in the Palomino Patrol, riding alongside Jolinda for several years. His service and leadership in this organization grew as he served seven years as Chairman of the Special Days Committee, two years as Vice President, and two years as President in 1987 and 1988. He remained a Director Emeritus until his death.
George was also a major force in the Miss Rodeo Texas organization. Beginning as a volunteer, he eventually served as President for many years and later as Chairman of the Board. His dedication helped strengthen an organization he cared about deeply.
He was a member of the Western English Retailers of America and served as its president for a time. Through his business, civic, and organizational involvement, George formed friendships and relationships that lasted throughout his life.
In his community of Lytle, George also served as a city councilman, giving his time and experience in service to the community he called home. In addition, George served as a Deputy Sheriff for Atascosa County from 1960 to 1965.
And then there was flying! George’s favorite hobby was flying his airplanes. A single-engine and multi-engine, instrument-rated pilot, he found freedom and enjoyment in the skies. Flying reflected something fundamental about George: his curiosity, independence, confidence, and willingness to chart his own course.
Throughout his life, George taught those around him not only through his words, but through the example of the life he lived. He encouraged others to find what they wanted to do and figure out how to do it; work around the roadblocks and pitfalls; persevere; and, most importantly, believe in themselves. He encouraged everyone around him to grow and thrive.
George Preston Harris was a classic Texas gentleman. He was a businessman who started with five pairs of boots and built an enterprise through determination. He was an entrepreneur who saw possibilities where others saw obstacles. He was a pilot who loved the freedom of the skies. He was a community leader, a mentor, a friend, and a man whose word could be trusted. But above all, he was a family man who took enormous pride in the people he loved.
His legacy will live on not only in the businesses he built and the organizations he served, but in the values he passed down: work hard, keep your word, treat people well, find a way, persevere, and believe in yourself.
George’s life was long, full, productive, and generously shared with others. He spent 90 years building, serving, leading, inspiring others, and loving his family.
One of George’s familiar closing lines was “Happy Trails.”
And so, with heavy hearts but profound gratitude for a life so well lived, his family and friends bid him farewell.
Happy trails, George.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Our Lady of Grace Parish Hall, 15825 Bexar St., La Coste, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to: Shriners Hospitals for Children Attn: Processing Center, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394 or online at: https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/honor
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, Castroville, Texas. www.tondre-guinn.com

On the night of August 19, 2026, our precious son passed from this world, at the age of 33. Nick showed courage and strength to the very end.
Though his life was short, it was filled with love, laughter, and memories. Nick adored school (NISD).His hobbies were watching DVD’s, music, swimming, pleasure rides, shopping and his momma singing to him.
Nick taught us to treasure the simple moments of life; to love each other without limitations. Nick’s smile could light up the room. His laughs (i.e. belly laughs) were highly contagious and had everyone rolling on the floor laughing along with him.
Nick is survived by his parents Arie M Cochran Jr. and Maria Light Cochran, numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Our family had chosen cremation; Nick’s ashes will be placed in a simple urn at home, along with many photos and mementos of him.
We thank the surgical/trauma staff at Hospice of Baylor, Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas. Their compassionate care and support will long be remembered.
A memorial honoring Nicholas’ life will be announced at a later date. Friends, neighbors are invited to share stories, memories, and love.

Little Did We Know

Little did we know that night that God would call your name. In life we loved you dearly; in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us many memories, and your love is still our guide. And though we cannot see you, you are always by our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same. But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.

Mr. Rico Herrera passed away on Friday, August 21, 2026 at the age of 35 in San Antonio, Texas. He was born on December 29, 1990.
He is survived by his mother, Charity Leming of Devine and father and step-mother Armando and Gloria Herrera of Eloy, Arizona. He is also survived by his sister Sky Lynn Herrera, nephews Daniel Bell and Darian Bell, all of San Antonio as well as many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
All family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life that will be held this Saturday, September 5, 2026 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Hall in Devine at 1 p.m.

May Isabel Spears Nolen, affectionately known as MayBell to most, mom to some, and Grandma to a few, was born in Alvin, Texas, on March 28, 1948, to Richard Lee and Margaret Hicks Spears.
MayBell was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandma, friend, and cherished member of her family. She will be remembered for the love she gave, the memories she created, and the special place she held in the hearts of those who knew her. MayBell is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Margaret Spears, and her brothers, R.L. Spears and Aquila Tobias Spears.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Jerry A. Nolen, Sr; her son, Jerry A. Nolen, Jr; her two daughters, Kerry Nolen Byrd (Lance) and Tara Marie Nolen Pierce (Jody); and her three beloved grandsons, Bradley Scott Nolen, Brandon Lee Nolen, and J. Michael Pierce, II (Bell).
MayBell’s greatest legacy is the family she loved and the lives she touched. Though she is no longer with us, the love she shared and the memories she created will remain in the hearts of her family and all who have had the privilege of knowing her.
Her memory will be treasured, her presence deeply missed, and her love carried forward by those she leaves behind.
Forever loved. Forever remembered. Forever our MayBell.
Visitation will be held on Friday, September 4, 2026, from 10:30 AM until the funeral service begins at 12:00 PM at Primrose Funeral Services of Devine. Shelter service will take place at Shelter #3, at 2:30 PM, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78209.
Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the online guestbook may do so by visiting www.primrosefuneralservices.com Arrangements are under the direction of Primrose Funeral Services, 303 W. College Ave., Devine, Texas 78016, (830) 663-4445.

Eldon Wayne Brauchle of Charlotte, Texas, passed away at his home place on August 14, 2026, at the age of 87. He was born on February 20, 1939, in San Miguel, Texas, to Stanley and Alma Brauchle. 
Named Mr. CHS by his peers, Eldon graduated from Charlotte High School with the Class of 1957. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Trinity University in 1961. After college, he served in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 81st Armor, 1st Armored Division—“Old Ironsides”—where he was a tank commander. During his service, Eldon rose to the rank of First Lieutenant, receiving his promotion in May 1963. Following his military service, Eldon returned to South Texas, where he spent much of his life farming and raising Beefmasters. 
He was a co-founder of Mid County Peanuts and spent decades farming peanuts and working the land around Charlotte. Agriculture was more than his livelihood; it was a way of life that he loved and valued deeply. Eldon also had a lifelong interest in hunting, fishing, and wildlife management. When he wasn’t farming, much of his time was spent as an avid outdoorsman, managing the land and habitat and enjoying the wildlife of South Texas and beyond. 
Eldon was married to Susan Forester Brauchle for more than 60 years until her death in 2022. Together, they raised four children and made Charlotte their home. 
He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan Forester Brauchle; his parents, Stanley and Alma Brauchle; and brothers Marlin and Fred Brauchle.
Eldon is survived by his daughters, Kris Summers (Troy), Pamela Brauchle, and Jennifer Kellner (Frank); his son, Tobin Brauchle (Stephanie); his grandchildren, Hayley Summers, Collin, Ryan, Austin, and Owen Skiba, Elise Young (Noah), and Claire Kellner, Logan Chansley, and Wyatt Brauchle; as well as his many nieces and nephews. 
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on September 17, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Charlotte, Texas. Interment will immediately follow at the Charlotte City Cemetery. 
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following Atascosa youth scholarships: Atascosa Cattlemen Association Youth Scholarship or the Atascosa Merit Scholarship P.O. Box 379 Leming, Texas 78050 

John Young Stewart, Sr., a lifelong rancher, steward of the land, and devoted family man, passed into eternity on August 21, 2026, at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy grounded in faith, responsibility, and quiet strength. Named after both his great-grandfather and a great-uncle, John carried a name shaped by generations, and he honored it well.
He was born on July 26, 1939, on the W.A. Stewart Ranch in Barksdale, Texas, during a historic flood of the Nueces River. From the beginning, his life was marked by the rugged demands and enduring beauty of the Texas Hill Country. As the oldest of six children born to C.C. and Corrinne Stewart, John learned responsibility early. Ranch life was simple but demanding, and electricity did not reach the ranch until 1954. Though the family had little by way of material wealth, his parents instilled in him the strength, resilience, and faith that he would carry throughout his life.
John’s childhood was shaped by daily work and a deep connection to the land. He helped raise Delaine and Rambouillet sheep, Angora goats, and Hereford and crossbred cattle. When drought forced the family to adapt, they introduced Brahman cattle, an early lesson in resilience and innovation that John carried throughout his life.
His interest in agriculture grew during high school under the mentorship of agriculture teachers Joe Trees and A.L. Newman. Through Future Farmers of America, he showed sheep and Hereford cattle at major stock shows, including the San Antonio Livestock Exposition and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. In 1959, he was awarded the American Farmer Degree at the National FFA Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.
Outside of his responsibilities, John enjoyed listening to Elvis Presley on the AM radio and spent Saturday nights square dancing with family. In school, he was active in athletics, playing basketball, baseball, and football. The summer before his senior year, he got his first pickup, a 1955 Chevrolet half-ton, a hard-earned symbol of independence and pride.
After graduating high school in 1957, John attended Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde, where he met Elizabeth Louise Hinkel, known to everyone as Betty, on a dare that would become a lifelong partnership. Both later transferred to Texas A&I College in Kingsville, Texas, where John completed his degree in 1961. On June 3, 1961, he and Betty were married in Cotulla, Texas, beginning a marriage that would span 65 years.
John began his career as an agriculture teacher at Edcouch-Elsa High School in the Rio Grande Valley, where he taught for two and a half years. Though he valued teaching, he felt called back to the land and returned to ranching full-time in 1964 with Cox Cattle Company in Devine, Texas. It was there that he met Sterling C. Evans, a respected Texas banker and cattleman who recognized John’s character and potential.
In 1967, Mr. Evans entrusted John with managing his extensive ranching operations, responsibilities that would take him and his family across multiple states and place him in charge of land and operations few ever experience. In southern New Mexico, he oversaw a 152,000-acre ranch stretching across rugged country with more than 80 miles of barbed wire fencing. He later managed another 148,000-acre ranch near Clines Corner, New Mexico, before moving to Louisiana to oversee the Little Eva Plantation, a 13,000-acre operation that included 4,000 acres of pecan trees.
In 1977, Mr. Evans moved John and his family one more time to manage the U Bar Ranch in western Bexar County, Texas. In 1982, the ranch was purchased by H.B. “Pat” Zachry, a renowned engineer and construction magnate. John continued in his role, working for the Zachry family and managing the ranch until his retirement in 2011 with the same dedication and integrity that defined his entire career.
For 50 years, John was a widely respected ranch manager and agricultural leader. He entered roles he had never held before and mastered them through determination, humility, and a willingness to learn. He did not rely on titles or credentials, but on steady effort, sound judgment, and an unshakable work ethic. Over time, through observation and experience, he developed a practiced eye and deep knowledge of the land and livestock, becoming known for his ability to select excellent horses and cattle and to grow top-quality pecans, hay, and row crops. Those who knew him understood that no matter the size or scope of the task, John would find a way to get it done—and get it done right.
John and Betty also shared a deep commitment to investing in others. Together, they devoted their time to Bexar County 4-H, the Bexar County Junior Livestock Show, and the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, where both were lifetime members and served on the Horse Show Committee. Side by side, they encouraged young people, supported families, and passed on a love for agriculture that had shaped their own lives.
Following retirement, John and Betty settled on a small property south of Lytle, Texas, where they enjoyed a quieter pace of life while remaining closely connected to their family and community. Whether a friend, neighbor, or someone he had just met, John had a natural way of connecting with people and putting them at ease, and many came to lovingly call him dad or grandpa.
Faith played a central role in John’s life. In 1986, he and Betty were instrumental in founding Medina Valley United Methodist Church in Castroville, Texas. Their commitment to the church remained steadfast from its beginning, reflecting their devotion to both God and community.
John’s greatest pride was his family, especially his wife, Betty. As a husband, he was steady and devoted; she could depend on him to lead, to provide, and to build a life for their family, no matter the uncertainty ahead. As a father, he led by example, showing his sons the value of hard work, responsibility, and loyalty. He regarded his daughters-in-law as his own, treating them with the same respect and care. As a grandfather and great-grandfather, he was steady and present, taking a quiet interest in each of them and finding joy in watching them grow. He was not a man of many words, but his expectations were clear, and his actions spoke for themselves.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Hinkel Stewart; his sons, John (Lexie) Stewart, Jr., Brett (Laura) Stewart, Doak (Angie) Stewart, and Royce Stewart; his grandchildren, John Stewart III, Alex (Madison) Stewart, Charles Stewart, Benjamin Stewart, Emily (Andrew) Jones, Samuel Stewart, and Joel (Hailey) Stewart; and his great-grandchildren, William Stewart, Gwendolyn Stewart, Lorelai Stewart, Hayeden Stewart, and Raelynn Jones. He is also survived by his brothers, Robert (Rae) Stewart and Paul (Neilia) Stewart, and his sisters, Carol Ann McKelvain, Pamela Kruse, and Paula (John) Cowart, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.
In his later years, John faced serious illness with the same quiet strength that marked his life, outliving expectations while continuing to invest in those around him. His life stands as a testament to hard work, humility, and unwavering faith. From the floodwaters that marked his birth to the pastures and livestock he carefully tended, he lived with purpose—shaping the land, his family, and the lives of all who were blessed to know him.
Visitation will be Wednesday, September 2, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, Castroville. The Funeral Service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at the Medina Valley United Methodist Church, Castroville. A Graveside Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September, 4, 2026 at Cotulla City Cemetery, Cotulla, Texas.
In honor of John, donations may be made to the Medina Valley United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 1607, Castroville, TX 78009, Cowboys for Christ at P.O. Box 7557, Fort Worth, TX 76111, or the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. www.tondre-guinn.com

Margarita “Margie” R. Gutierrez was born on March 2, 1949, in Natalia, Texas. Margie was born to Policarpio and Petra Gutierrez. Margie and her husband, Andy, resided in Natalia, Texas.
Preceded in death by her parents and three of her siblings: Maria Concepcion (Concha) Sanchez; Reyes (Ray) Gutierrez, and Eduardo Gutierrez.
Margie is survived by her husband of over fifty years Andy Ybarra, daughter Marivel (Felipe Camacho), son Eric (Veronica) and one granddaughter Alyssa Ybarra. Survivors also include her sisters: Rita Thompson, Lupe Reyes, Olga Torres, Laly Rico, and Mary Estrada; brothers Juan Gutierrez (Elvira) and Joe Gutierrez, numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, August 24, 2026, from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. at Primrose Funeral Services of Devine, Texas. Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church of Natalia, Texas with interment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Devine, Texas.
Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the online guestbook may do so by visiting www.primrosefuneralservices.com Arrangements are under the direction of Primrose Funeral Services, 303 W. College Ave., Devine, Texas 78016, (830) 663-4445.