Norma Lee Horan of Jourdanton, TX was born on March 11, 1930 to Charles Heiligman and Margaret McKinley Duncan Heiligman passed away on July 3, 2022 at the age of 92. Mrs. Horan is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Tom and her daughter Janette Kohls and brother Bobby Heiligman. She is survived by her daughters: Alice(Mark) Whittney of Bulverde, TX and Susie (Tom) Kocurek of Robstown,TX and Becky (John) Neal of Jourdanton,TX; son: Billy (Carolyn) Horan of Port O’Conner, TX; 18 grandchildren; and many other relatives. Visitation will be held Friday, July 8, 2022 (one hour prior to services) at 9:00a.m. at the Moore Cemetery with Graveside services beginning promptly at 10:00a.m. at the Moore Cemetery, Moore, TX with Rev. Ronny Rains of Gateway Church officiating. She will be laid to rest near her husband Tom.
Ulysses Grant Jones, Jr., Senior Master Sergeant, Retired, USAF, of Lytle, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 5, 2022, at the age of 72. Commonly known to all by his middle name, Grant passed peacefully, with his wife of 27 years, by his side, after having suffered a massive stroke on May 26, 2022. Grant was born in Sunshine Station, Harlan County, Kentucky, on August 30, 1949. On November 8, 1967, he married his high school sweetheart, Linda Lou Lawson. Together they had two daughters, Melissa Sue, and Brenda Kaye. In January, 1968, he joined the United States Air Force and served his country honorably for 26 years. He spent the majority of his career working and supervising on the flight line as his rank increased, ensuring that the airplanes were flight worthy when they left the ground. Linda passed away in January, 1993, and he retired the following spring from Lackland AFB in 1994. Grant met his second wife, Rosemary Hord, at the church he attended, and they were married in July, 1994. Not one to sit still, Grant was active in a variety of positions in his church, ranging from custodian and grounds maintenance to Sunday School Superintendent, visitor follow-up and security. If there was a job needing to be done, he was willing to do it. Grant was a man of impeccable honesty and integrity, always doing every job to the best of his ability and with excellence, regardless of what it was. He believed in taking care of any problem right away, not waiting until a more convenient time. He was a blessing to everyone around him, and he will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ulysses G. Jones, Sr. and Lucy Rose Jones; his first wife, Linda Jones; sister, Sandy Lewis; half-sisters Peggy Fisher and Bobbi Adkins; half-brothers, Billy Joe Jones and Wayne Jones. Grant is survived by his wife, Rosemary Jones; sister, Christine Lee Pearl Meade (JD); daughters, Melissa Lake and Brenda Whaley; stepson, Aaron Hord (Beth); grandsons, Evan Whaley (Bridget) and Liam Hord; granddaughter, Sierra Lake; and one great-grandson, Jackson Whaley. A Visitation was held on Monday, June 13, 2022 from 8:30 am until 10:00 am and then a Funeral Service at 10:00 am at Hurley’s Funeral Chapel in Lytle, Texas, after which Grant was transported to Harlan, Kentucky, for services through Mount Pleasant Funeral Home, followed by interment at the Old Creech Cemetery in Wallins Creek, Kentucky. For Live Streaming funeral service: Livestream Link In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Red Cross at www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/ or Gideon Bible International at www.gideons.org/donate Anyone wishing to sign the online guestbook, share memories or issue condolences to the family, may do so at www.hurleyfuneralhome.com Arrangements under the direction of Hurley Funeral Home, 14822 Main Street, Lytle, Texas.
Annette Azoca went to be with the Lord on June 23, 2022 at the age of 43 surrounded by family. Annette was born on March 4, 1979 in Weslaco, Texas to Amado Azoca and Nora Zertuche. Annette is preceded in death by her Father Amado Javier Azoca. Annette is survived by her Mother Nora Elia Zertuche (Feliberto); Daughters Anissa Annette Azoca and Analisa Isarae Urrabazo; Brother Daniel A. Samudio (Amanda); Sisters Azminda Azoca and Lauren C. Samudio; and numerous other relatives. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 1, 2022 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Hurley Funeral Home – Devine, 303 West College Ave, Devine, Texas 78016. A Prayer Service will be held at 6:00 pm in the Chapel. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm in the Chapel. Services will conclude at the end of the evening. Internment of the cremains will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery – Devine at a later date. For personal acknowledgements, please visit www.hurleyfuneralhome.com. Services are entrusted to Hurley Funeral Home – Devine, 303 West College Ave, Devine, Texas 78016.
Mario E. Rodriguez, Sr. of Devine, TX, beloved brother, father, and grandfather, and soon to be great-grandfather went Home to be with our Lord at the age of 63 on June 22, 2022 surrounded by family. Born on May 29, 1959 in Hondo, TX to Esteban and Celia Rodriguez. Mario was an HVAC Technician for many years. He enjoyed trail rides, horseback riding and cooking out for family and friends. He was a quiet family man that loved his kids and grandkids and would rather be with family and friends Bar-B-Qing than anywhere else. Mario is preceded in death by his parents Esteban and Celia Rodriguez; He is survived by his children Amanda M. Rodriguez, Mario Jr. and Amanda L. Rodriguez, Michael and Alyssa Rodriguez, grandchildren: Antonio Morales, Nina Morales, Anissa Morales, Marco Morales, Christian Rodriguez, Brianna Rodriguez, Tara Fraga, Isabell Rodriguez and Michala Rodriguez and soon to be great-grand child. Mario is also surived by his siblings Gabino and Gladys Rodriguez, Francisco Rodriguez, Maria De La Luz Castillo, Renato and Helen Rodriguez; George and Bernice Rodriguez, Bernadita and Ernesto Chavira, Jose Rodriguez, Antonio Rodriguez, and Jesus Rodriguez, and numerous nieces and nephews. A Visitation Service will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a Rosary recited at 7:00 PM in the Hurley Funeral Home Chapel in Devine, Texas. A Mass will take place on Friday, July 1, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Natalia, Texas with Interment to follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Services conducted by Hurley Funeral Home in Devine, Texas.
Kathryn R. Bywaters, age 94, of Devine, Texas went to join our Lord on Sunday, June 12 in Devine, Texas. Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents, Margarite and Raymond Redus; husband, William Bywaters; and sister, Nettie Petri. Kathryn was a member of the First Baptist Church of Devine for over 80 years and she enjoyed volunteering twice a week at the Devine Area Hospice Store for 25 years. She loved to travel and cherished her trips to Israel; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Europe. An ardent card player up until her passing, she inspired comradery and competition. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she was affectionately, yet against her will, known by her family as “Giggy,” In a final act of charity, she donated her body “to science” through UT Health, San Antonio. Kathryn is survived by her sons, Williams Bywaters II, Charles Bywaters; daughter-in-law, Sharon Bywaters (Joe Henry); four grandchildren, William Bywaters III, Dawn Viktorin (Charles), Jennifer Bywaters, and Kathryn Bywaters; and seven great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Devine. Date TBD
James “Jim” Guy Breland, age 78, was called to heaven on June 17, 2022. He was born on November 16, 1943 to Walter and Josephine Breland in Kenedy, TX. He married his wife, Judy, 61 years ago on September 25, 1960. For over 50 years, Jim loved being a truck driver and traveling around the country, sightseeing along the way with his wife. He enjoyed good food, wood working, playing and watching golf, and was an avid reader. Jim operated HAM radio for many years under the call sign “WD5BOU” (Big Old Ugly). Jim is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Josephine Breland. Jim is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Guy Breland of Natalia, Tracy (Sylvia) Breland of San Antonio, Sean Breland of Natalia, Kevin (Maria) Breland of Natalia and James (Yesenia) Breland of Natalia; 8 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Noel (Estefena) Breland of Sandia, TX. Private family gathering to be held at a later date. Anyone wishing to sign the online guestbook, share memories or issue condolences to the family, may do so at www.hurleyfuneralhome.com Arrangements under the direction of Hurley Funeral Home, 14822 North Main, Lytle, Texas 78052.
Kylie Jean Kurtz of Devine, Texas gained her angel wings in the morning hours of June 2, 2022. She was born to her parents, Jason and Shelley Kurtz, on November 8, 2004 in San Antonio, Texas. Kylie was born with an extremely rare medical condition called Trisomy 9 (T9M) and had the odds stacked against her from birth. Trisomy 9 has a very low life expectancy but that didn’t stop Kylie from fighting. She lived a happy 17 years of life before she entered the pearly gates of Heaven with her loving parents by her side holding each of her hands. She is survived by her father, Jason Dean Kurtz; mother, Shelley Denise Kurtz; and doggy brother Rossi. She will be remembered by her many family members, her T9M friends, and care givers who all cared for her dearly. Kylie loved any and everyone that crossed her path. She loved to laugh, be outdoors, look at bright lights, and play with her very favorite toys. Her story reached people all over the states when KSAT 12 news did a piece on her for her 16th birthday. She had the best drive-by birthday party to celebrate her huge milestone birthday. She had the most beautiful smile that could brighten the darkest room. She will be deeply missed and live on in the hearts of many. Services were held at Hurley’s Funeral home in Devine on Tuesday, June 7th at 2pm. Public visitation began prior to the service from 12pm-2pm. Anyone wishing to sign the online guestbook, share memories, or issue condolences to the family, may do so at www.hurleyfuneralhome.com. The family is making the special request of potted plants so they can be replanted with love around the family’s home and the memory of Kylie can flourish and bloom beautiful.
Carolyn Ellis Wright went to meet the Lord on June 7, 2022. She was 88 years old. She is preceded in death by her husband, John Emory Wight, and her son, James Ellis Wright. She was born on April 9, 1934, to Rufus Ellis and Minnie Paden Fowler in Vicksburg, Mississippi. At age 8 she and her mother moved to San Antonio, where her mom began a job as a switchboard operator in Natalia, Texas. Carolyn went to Blessed Sacrament Boarding School until age 11, where she loved the Catholic nuns that taught her so many wonderful things. She then attended Edgar Allen Poe Junior High and later graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1952. After graduation, she worked at Joske’s Department Store downtown. One summer’s evening she met her husband John (Jay) Emory Wright at a Hermann Son’s dance in San Antonio. For two years they dated while Jay finished college at Texas State University. After marrying, they moved to College Station where Jay received his Master’s degree in Ag Business and their first born child, Mary Suzanne, was born at that time. After graduation, they moved to Kyote, Texas, where Jay began teaching and Carolyn was a stay-at-home mom for six years. Then in 1966, she joined Jay at Charlotte ISD as a teacher’s aide for two years. She then decided to get her teaching degree and attended San Antonio College and graduated from Texas State University in 1972. Seven months later, their second child, James Ellis, was born in Jourdanton, Texas at the Mercy Hospital. Shortly after, Carolyn began her teaching career by opening the first kindergarten at Jourdanton ISD. She taught kindergarten there for 30 years and then retired to travel with her husband, Jay. In 2007, she helped start Our Lady of Grace Catholic school teaching kindergarten in a renovated 3-bedroom house with 30 students in attendance. She continued to help and build that school by serving on the school board for the last 15 years, but also by offering advice and buying many supplies that were needed, such as educational games and manipulatives. She also substituted whenever they needed her. Today there are 65 plus students in attendance at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Pleasanton, and that place was her pride and joy! In the meantime, though, she substituted for the Jourdanton ISD in the high school for approximately 15 years also, teaching many of the same students she taught in Kindergarten so many years prior. She was still substituting up until she turned 82. The last few years she spent a lot of her free time playing in Dominoes and Bunco groups and enjoying her beautiful cattle ranch in Kyote, Texas. Even so, she missed substituting a lot in those schools because teaching was the love of her life. She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne Muennink, two granddaughters, Karla Bedford, and Kourtney Muennink, and also by two great granddaughters, Kallisyn and Brittyn Bedford. A visitation will be held on Monday, June 13, 2022, at Hurley Funeral Home – Pleasanton, from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with a reciting of the rosary at 7:00 pm. A mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, starting at 9:30 am, followed by interment at St. Joseph Cemetery in Devine, Texas (Corner of Colonial Parkway and Cemetery Lane).
Our beloved, Helen Gladys Jungman Walker, age 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 12, 2022,in Round Rock, Texas. Born September 12, 1928 in Devine, Texas, to Louis and Clara Jungman, Gladys was the 4th of five daughters. She attended school in Devine and later moved to San Antonio to work at Alamo State Bank. Her sister, Mae, introduced her to her future husband, Willoughby ‘Wib’ Walker and the two were married in 1954. Wib and Gladys moved to Austin, Texas where she worked as a bookkeeper for Texas Commerce Bank. After giving birth to her first son, she decided to stay home and ultimately raise her two boys, Dan, and Barry. She went on to care for other children in their home before returning to the bank until her retirement in 1994. Gladys enjoyed many years of watching her sons play football and baseball, often taking an active role by serving as a team parent or booster. She would fondly reflect on the countless practices and games to which she drove her boys. Watching her sons grow into admirable men and fathers filled her heart with immense joy. She relished spending time with her grandchildren, Jenna, Lindsey and Stetson, as well as her great-grandchild, Avery. Nothing meant more to her than her family. Gladys was fond of gardening, often sharing the fruits of her labor with others. She and her husband enjoyed garage and estate sales, finding many treasures along the way. Gladys was a devout member of St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, participating in the church clubs and was an active member of the St. Anne’s Society. Gladys is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wib; her loving parents, Louis and Clara Jungman; and four cherished sisters, Elizabeth Sollock, Mary Campsey, Laura DuBose, and Alice Mae Capps. Gladys leaves behind 2 sons Dan Walker (and wife, Aleta) of Round Rock, Texas and Barry Walker (and wife Sherri) of Pflugerville, Texas; three grandchildren, Jenna Stephenson (and husband Tucker) of Bulverde, Texas, Lindsey Walker of Jarrell, Texas and Stetson Walker of Pflugerville, Texas; one great-grandchild, Avery Stephenson of Bulverde, Texas; and was blessed with 55 nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own. Our precious mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, Helen Gladys Walker, will be laid to rest in Devine, Texas. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Hurley Funeral Home – Devine with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 pm. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 10:00 am at Hurley Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. For personal acknowledgments, please visit www.hurleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Hurley Funeral Home – Devine, 303 West College Ave, Devine, Texas 78016.
Isabel Marie Esquibel, 53, of Devine, Texas, passed away on June 11th, 2022 after a battle with Breast Cancer. Isabel was born on December 25, 1968, to Lupe and Maria Martinez in Hondo, Texas. Devine, Texas was where she was raised, got married to her husband, and raised her three children. She is survived by her husband, Roland Garcia Esquibel, children: Jasmine, Andrew, Roland Jr Esquibel, and grandkids: Caleb John Gutierrez, Mia Averi and Andrew Ezekiel Esquibel. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lupe Martinez and Maria Chavez, and her brothers, Lazaro and Lupe Martinez. Isabel loved her family and friends and was always there when they needed a helping hand or someone to talk to. She worried about them, rooted for them, protected them, resented them, forgave them, and always kept on loving them. Isabel will be deeply missed by all those that she’s left behind. Our hearts are broken by this loss but take comfort knowing she will always be in our hearts. She was one of a kind and to be loved by her was to be truly blessed. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 from 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Hurley Funeral Home – Devine, 303 West College Ave, Devine, Texas 78016. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm in the funeral home chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church – Devine. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. For personal acknowledgements, please visit www.hurleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Hurley Funeral Home – Devine, 303 West College Ave, Devine, Texas 78016.
